Vandalism-Related Costs for your Small Business Storefront in California

The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant is an initiative by the City and County of San Francisco, specifically supported by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the Office of Small Business, to offer financial assistance to small businesses affected by physical acts of vandalism. The grant aims to help restore damaged storefronts and maintain commercial vibrancy throughout San Francisco. Up to $2,000 is available for qualifying incidents, and eligible businesses may receive funding up to three times within a calendar year for separate events of damage. This program emphasizes quick support and requires businesses to provide documentation of damage and proof of financial need. Eligible applicants must be small businesses with a physical storefront, report less than $8 million in gross revenue on their most recent tax return, and cannot be formula retail operations—though franchises with less than $8 million in gross revenue may qualify. Damage must have occurred on or after January 1, 2024, and applicants must supply proof of such damage. Acceptable forms of documentation include receipts for repairs, police report numbers, 311 service request numbers (especially for graffiti), and photos of the damage. The application process includes submitting a completed and signed W9 form. Grant funding is distributed in two standard tiers: $1,000 and $2,000. For the $1,000 level, applicants must submit any two of the following: receipts for repairs, a police or 311 report number, or photos. For the $2,000 tier, applicants must submit receipts showing at least $2,000 in repair expenses along with either a police or 311 report number or photos of the damage. Special exceptions apply to businesses located in Supervisorial Districts 5 and 7. In these areas, awards can increase to $3,000 or $4,000 if the documented costs exceed those respective amounts. The same documentation criteria apply but with adjusted thresholds for the receipts. Applications are completed online and are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. The form requires detailed business information, such as Business Account Number, gross revenue, number of employees, and the primary owner's household income, although no supporting documents are required for these fields. The entire process is designed to be completed in approximately 15 minutes, assuming the applicant has all required documentation on hand. Applications for this grant do not guarantee approval, as funding is subject to availability and the City’s discretion. Grants are awarded only for physical damage—not for theft or loss of stolen goods. For vandalism involving property damage other than graffiti, a police report must be filed with the San Francisco Police Department. For graffiti, a 311 Service Request must be submitted instead. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the program team via email at VandalismRelief@sfgov.org. The program remains active for 2024, and recurring eligibility is allowed for businesses impacted more than once during the year, up to the maximum of three separate incidents. There is no mention of a specific application closing date, so the opportunity remains open until further notice or until funds are depleted.