Living Alleys Grants

A partnership grant program with SF Planning to fund alley transformation within the boundaries of the Market Octavia area plan. Eligible projects include streetscape, public realm, recreation and public open space improvements on City-owned property only.

Seven Key Eligibility Considerations

1: CCG provides grants to the following types of organizations: 

1. Nonprofit organizations
2. Community or neighborhood groups
3. San Francisco businesses or merchant associations
4. San Francisco based Community Benefit Districts (CBDs)
5. Schools

2: Grantees must meet vendor requirements of the City and County of San Francisco. 
CCG funds are issued to San Francisco vendor approved nonprofit organizations with a 501 (c) 3 status. Local community groups, businesses, or schools performing a community project in their neighborhood must have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. If your group requires help locating a fiscal sponsor, contact Lanita Henriquez at (415) 554-4830 for assistance.

3. The Living Alleys Grant Program is geographically focused on the Market Octavia area plan. Eligible projects must fall within the boundary map detailed within the grant guidelines. 

4: Unlike other CCG programs, Living Alleys grants cannot be used to remedy deferred maintenance, abate litter or graffiti, sidewalk or street maintenance, or projects on privately-owned property. The pilot program is focused on capital projects as opposed to maintenance and programming. Projects eligible for this pilot program should be focused on streetscape, public realm, recreation and public open space improvements on city-owned property only.

Project Size	Small Scale	Mid-Scale	Large Scale
Budget	>$50,000	$50,001 - $99,999	$100,00 - $200,000
Duration/Contract Period	12 Months	18 Months	24 Months
Required Match	10%	10%	10%

5. Living Alleys Grant is focused on projects that support the core goals of Living Alleys that emerged from a series of community workshops, including:

•  Green: Promoting green infrastructure and landscaping to soften the environment and invite social gatherings
  
• Shared: Balancing the priorities of pedestrians and bicyclists with automobiles through traffic calming measures, encouraging a mix of use
  
• Vibrant: Activating public spaces to encourage an attractive, diverse mix of commercial and social activities for residents and businesses and allow for various forms of recreation
  
• Clean and Safe: Strategies to care and tend for an alley that prioritize public safety at all times of day, discouraging illicit activities

Priority will be given to projects that are community supported & and neighborhood-led, build a network of connected alleys, open spaces, and bike routes, and directly benefit seniors and children.

6. Projects must demonstrate minimum requirements, and should:

• Emphasize self-help and involve neighborhood residents in the planning and implementation of the project.
• Have a 5-year maintenance plan detailing ongoing maintenance after project completion. Please identify an individual or entity responsible for maintenance as well as the source of funds to support proposed maintenance plan.
• ​Include installation of interpretive signs explaining the function of the project to the public and acknowledging CCG and Planning, including logos. Signs may include other project partners and funders, as desired.
• Costs associated with such signage may be included in your grant request.

Projects also must not:

• Duplicate or replace funding for an existing private or public program
• Duplicate existing maintenance programs
• ​Conflict with existing City policies 

7. If awarded funds, grantees must comply with all CCG requirements, including:

• Enter into a contract with the CCG within three months of selection
• Acquire all necessary City permits, depending upon the type of grant, prior to begin project work
• Submit detailed reports for disbursement of grant funds on a reimbursement basis
• Notify CCG staff of key project milestones and participate in grant administration staff site visits
• File quarterly status reports, project drawings (if applicable), and project completion reports

Please review the full list of eligibility requirements. The information provided above is a summary of select eligibility criteria and is not intended to replace in whole, or part, the requirements of a grantee as detailed in the eligibility requirements and contract agreement. ​

Linden Alley is a thriving pedestrian-oriented destination featuring seating, landscaping, and celebrated local businesses.

Helpful Reminders

full eligibility requirements

application