San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and Community Vision today announced $2.2 million in transformative awards for nonprofit space acquisition and lease stabilization.

The Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative (NSI) awards provide vital seed funding to projects that will create 21,774 square feet of permanent, nonprofit-owned space. The funding includes a $1 million grant to Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. for the acquisition of a former police station that will become a childcare and youth development center, and a $750,000 grant to Mission Neighborhood Health Center that will expand access to health and dental services in the Excelsior and Outer Mission.

The NSI deploys financial assistance, professional services, assessment tools and other resources to help stabilize nonprofits and overcome barriers to growth. Since 2017, the NSI has awarded $9.3 million and assisted more than 100 San Francisco-based nonprofits.

“It is important that we support our nonprofit organizations and help them create and maintain spaces throughout the City where San Francisco residents can learn, build community, and get the assistance they need,” said Mayor Breed. “As our City continues to grow, the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative helps organizations stay in their communities so they can focus on providing the services and resources our residents need.”

San Francisco has nearly 7,000 nonprofits that often work in partnership with the City to address complex challenges and the needs of its residents. Administered by OEWD, the NSI continues San Francisco’s groundbreaking support of nonprofit space and sustainability, and investments in resilience that assist nonprofits and prevent displacement. The underlying objective of all NSI programs is to ensure access to quality of life resources as well as education, health and human services for residents of San Francisco, and real estate assistance is a cornerstone of the program.

“Nonprofit leaders continue to tell us that with stable spaces to call home, they can extend their reach and deepen their impact,” said Joaquín Torres, Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “We are committed to helping the business and nonprofit communities thrive and grow to ensure shared and equitable prosperity for all people.”

In addition to the $2.2 million in recently awarded grants for 2019-20, the application period for the next round of grants is now open. $4.6 million is available for nonprofit organizations, including $2 million for the new Community Cornerstones initiative to assist nonprofits that are relocating or expanding space within new 100% affordable housing developments.

Grants are administered by Community Vision, which will offer several workshops with more information. Program guidelines are available at communityvisionca.org/sfsustainability, and the deadline to apply is February 4, 2020. Some applications require a consultation call to qualify. Information about NSI awardees and current resources can be found at oewd.org/nonprofits.

Real Estate Acquisition Grants:

Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) honors its Latino roots with a tradition of providing compassionate, patient-centered care. A Federally-Qualified Health Center, MNHC’s primary programming consists of medical services, dental care, integrated behavioral health, pharmacy, laboratory and X-ray services; clinical services also include nutritional counseling, health education, case management, and insurance eligibility assistance. MNHC will acquire a 10,000 square foot commercial space on the ground floor of a to-be developed 137-unit affordable housing development at 4840 Mission Street. MNHC’s new space will include fifteen medical exam rooms, a wellness conference room for patient education, a behavioral health office, and a dental office. The project will more than double the existing leased space and add dental services. Patient capacity will double from 3,000 to 6,000.

Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. (MNC) provides culturally sensitive, multi-generational, community-based programming to 3,000 low-income families in San Francisco, with ten child development centers and two youth centers. In August 2019, MNC acquired the 11,774 square foot former Mission Police Station at 1240 Valencia Street. MNC plans to renovate the building to house its Mission Girls and Head Start programs.

Lease Stabilization Grants:

Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP) provides housing education programs, case management, outreach and referral for low-income residents, direct services, technical assistance and policy analysis that promotes a balanced and humane criminal justice system. This grant will support their relocation to 1110 Howard, a space they will sublease from South of Market Community Access Network (SOMCAN). The space is centrally located within the SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District.

Curry Senior Center provides healthcare, case management, behavioral health, educational and social programming for low-income and homeless older adults and adults with disabilities in the Tenderloin and SoMa. Curry was leasing month-to-month and secured a longer lease at 559 Ellis Street with technical support from the NSI.

Golden Gate Performing Arts is the legal name of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC). SFGMC purchased a building for the National LGBTQ Center for Performing Arts at 170 Valencia Street and is in the process of renovations. The grant will support consulting costs related to the project.

Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco (HGSF) builds homes and sustains affordable homeownership opportunities for families. HGSF’s previous warehouse only allowed for storage of materials. Having a more flexible and long-term space will contribute to the success of their programs. The new location on the Central Waterfront will be a hub for construction staff and volunteers to gather for trainings and to pre-fabricate building components, and will be a secure space for tools, donated materials, and vehicles.

Intersection for the Arts (IFTA) helps artists and arts workers grow by providing fiscal sponsorship, professional development and low-cost co-working and event space. The new, larger and more accessible location at 1446 Market Street allows IFTA to expand services that contribute to the sustainability of the organization. The NSI grant will cover six months’ differential between Intersection’s old and new rent, and other one-time costs necessary for the project. 

Legal Assistance to the Elderly (LAE) provides free services to seniors and adults with disabilities to keep them safe, healthy, housed and financially stable. Last year, LAE increased the number of clients served by 30% (to over 1,600) and added attorneys to its staff. LAE’s new 10-year lease at 1663 Mission Street will allow the organization to consistently, effectively serve its clients.

MyPath (formerly Mission SF Community Financial Center) is a national San Francisco-based nonprofit that designs, tests and scales financial capability trainings and interventions for youth. NSI funds will support necessary improvements to their new space at 1663 Mission Street.

Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP) moved from its space of 20 years into a new space at Tides in the Presidio in April 2019. Its previous rent payments were significantly below market. The NSI grant supports one-time expenses to the relocation, which will improve staff efficiencies, allow QWOCMAP to host convenings, and provide opportunities for future growth.

SCRAP (Scrounger’s Center for Reusable Art Parts) inspires creativity and environmental stewardship by providing Bay Area residents and over 500 classrooms with free or affordable supplies, diverting over 200+ tons of material from landfills annually. The NSI provided extensive technical assistance to help SCRAP navigate permitting challenges and lease negotiations to remain in their current warehouse space at 801 Toland Street. The grant will support expenses related to a redesign of the space that will improve security, safety and increase classroom and workshop space.

Tax-Aid provides year-round free tax services to people earning less than $55,000 per year. This year the average income of clients was $18,915. Tax-Aid moved to 235 Montgomery Street and expanded slightly from 500 to 550 square feet. The grant will cover one-time expenses necessitated by the relocation.

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