Community Challenge Grants Program

The FY26 Community Challenge Grants (CCG) Program is administered by the City and County of San Francisco through the Community Challenge Grants Office. This initiative continues a long-standing tradition of supporting neighborhood-led beautification efforts that promote safety, resilience, and belonging within San Francisco communities. The CCG was originally established in 1990 by voter initiative under the Neighborhood Beautification and Graffiti Clean-Up Fund. Over time, it has evolved to more directly align with broader city priorities, including public safety and equitable economic recovery. The FY26 cycle is informed by community feedback and includes enhanced technical support, transparent processes, and equity-based revisions to expand access and reduce barriers for historically underserved neighborhoods. The FY26 grant cycle offers funding in two distinct program areas. Program Area A: Infrastructure supports physical improvements to public spaces such as sidewalk gardens, murals, green infrastructure, and accessibility features. Program Area B: Activation funds community-based activities that animate public spaces and foster social connection, such as block parties, youth training programs, and neighborhood cleanups. Projects may contain elements of both categories, but applicants must designate the category that accounts for over 50% of their budget. All projects must demonstrate visible beautification impact and occur within the City and County of San Francisco. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or partner with a qualifying fiscal sponsor. Organizations must have an IRS determination letter issued before October 9, 2023, or provide proof of cash reserves equal to at least 25% of the requested funding if the letter is dated after that threshold. Applicants must also demonstrate relevant project experience and obtain approval from property owners for project locations. Projects must not require Love Our Neighborhoods Tier 3 or Major Encroachment permits, unless composed of multiple Tier 2 components. The required funding request must be between $50,000 and $150,000, with grant terms of up to 18 months or 24 months for specific projects requiring extended permitting. Applications must be submitted online using the provided form and must include mandatory attachments such as a budget (Appendix D), work plan (Appendix E), and signed property owner letters (Appendix C1–C3 depending on jurisdiction). Financial documentation including a Profit & Loss Statement and Balance Sheet must also be submitted. The grant operates on a reimbursement model, so applicants should plan accordingly or work with a fiscal sponsor. Compliance with all city, state, and federal regulations is required, including registration as a city supplier if selected for funding. Evaluation criteria prioritize project alignment with community needs, engagement of diverse stakeholders, readiness, budget clarity, and long-term impact. Proposals are scored on a 100-point rubric assessing community impact, involvement, location equity, engagement, budget/resource planning, organizational capacity, and sustainability. Top-ranked applicants are issued a Notice of Intent to Award and enter contract negotiations. All funding decisions are contingent on successful contract execution within three months of the notice. The RFP was released in July 2025, and the application submission deadline is Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Written questions must be submitted by September 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Answers will be posted by September 23, 2025. Award notifications are anticipated in November 2025, with grants expected to start on or after January 1, 2026. The grant administrator can be contacted at ccg@sfgov.org. For more information, including required templates and updates, applicants should visit www.sf.gov/fy26ccg.

Use Appendix B for drafting. Attend workshops. Check FAQ updates weekly.