Imagine a Vital Downtown

Vacant to Vibrant transforms downtown vacancies into vibrant communities, shaped by local participation. 


Here’s how we work:


You bring the pop-up ideas or spaces

If you’re a local property owner, artist, small business, or organization that knows San Francisco and its people, we want to hear your ideas for pop-ups downtown.

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We handle the hassles of logistics

Our team works with the city and local property owners to secure storefronts, permits, and grants to fund your pop-up — and make the process as easy as possible.

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Together, we re-energize downtown

As residents, we all agree that downtown isn’t the vibrant, thriving place we want it to be. Together, we can create change through community participation.

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It Takes a Village

When it comes to “reimagining downtown,” our approach isn’t prescriptive. Instead we look to the community — its small business owners, artists, entrepreneurs, and property owners — to share their ideas. Then we provide the resources to support them.

A Program by SF New Deal

SF New Deal is a San Francisco nonprofit that strengthens neighborhoods by making it easier for under-resourced small business owners to succeed. Through diverse programs, SF New Deal has disbursed more than $49 million to more than 1,600 local businesses.

Vacant to Vibrant
Advisory Committee

A Joint Endeavor

Our programming is made possible by local organizations, corporate partners, and city agencies committed to creating community change.

Founding Program Partners


Presented By


Real Estate Partners


Gold Sponsors


Silver Sponsors

Friends of the Program