Strategy in Action

The legacy business program in San Francisco aims to support and protect the city’s long-standing businesses and nonprofits. With support from small businesses, neighborhood groups, and property owners, San Francisco Heritage, a nonprofit whose mission is to preserve and enhance the city’s architectural and cultural identity, co-authored legislation to establish the first legacy business registry in the nation. The program was unanimously approved by the city’s board of supervisors in 2015. Businesses that have operated in San Francisco for more than 30 years and are nominated by a board member or the mayor can apply. The Legacy Preservation Fund provides around $3 million in grants annually. Businesses on the registry receive grants of $500 per employee. Property owners who extend 10-year leases to these businesses receive a grant of $4.50 per square foot. Grants are capped at $50,000 per business and $22,500 for property owners. Since its inception, the program has helped more than 230 businesses and nonprofits.