Funds Awarded to Yerba Buena Neighborhood Organizations to Boost Arts, Culture and Small Businesses
Funds Awarded to Yerba Buena Neighborhood
Organizations to Boost Arts, Culture and Small Businesses
Yerba Buena Partnership Provides $90,500 in Grants
San Francisco, Calif., December 23, 2024 — Cultural and arts organizations and small businesses in San Francisco’s downtown Yerba Buena neighborhood received a boost from the Yerba Buena Partnership from $90,500 in grants to support district events, youth and job programs, and art installations.
“Yerba Buena boasts incredible cultural and arts offerings and its small businesses are the heartbeat of the community,” said Yerba Buena Partnership Executive Director Scott Rowitz. “These grants help spur interest, economic activity and community well-being.”
Yerba Buena is the city’s arts-and convention neighborhood that is a critical economic driver and visitor destination. The community benefit district Yerba Buena Partnership improves the area for several blocks around Yerba Buena Gardens. The neighborhood boasts renowned destinations such as SFMOMA, Moscone Center, YBCA, MoAD, Children’s Creativity Museum, as well as premier hotels, Academy of Art University, City College, and dining, shopping and entertainment venues. Yerba Buena is also located within the larger Filipino Cultural Heritage District.
Seven larger grants went to:
- Children’s Creativity Museum for Art in Motion, a free event for families from disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods.
- Filipino American Development Foundation and SoMa Pilipinas for the annual Parol Festival.
- Legacies of the Pacific for Islands of the Bay, a free event celebrating AAPI culture.
- Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to support small business and networking programs.
- SFMOMA to support partner and artists honoraria as part of its free admission day on the first Thursday of each month.
- South of Market Child Care for a free multicultural celebration for neighborhood children and families.
- Yerba Buena Gardens for the installation of Mexican folk art throughout the park and accompanying cultural activities.
Another five smaller “mini-grants” went to the Refuse Refuse clean up program, Enterprise for Youth, San Francisco Bike Coalition, Sentro Filipino and Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy to support public art, cultural events and neighborhood clean up efforts.
Since 2008, Yerba Buena Partnership has granted over $2.3 million to district organizations. Its Community Benefit Fund is unique among the city’s community benefit districts and made possible with support by district residents, businesses and donations. The Partnership’s Board of Directors will award new grants annually. Applications for grants to support activities from July 2025-July 2026 are due in March 2025. See YerbaBuena.org to apply for grants.
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About Yerba Buena Partnership
Yerba Buena Partnership is a community-based nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life in the downtown San Francisco Yerba Buena neighborhood. The Partnership manages and maintains several blocks around Yerba Buena Gardens, encompassing roughly Second to Fifth and Market to Perry streets. The district boasts iconic destinations such as SFMOMA, YBCA, MoAD, Children’s Creativity Museum and Moscone Center, along with premier hotels, Academy of Art University, City College, and dining, shopping and entertainment venues. Yerba Buena is also located within the larger Filipino Cultural Heritage District. The Partnership began implementing programs in 2009 involving its Clean and Safe Team, neighborhood marketing, public art projects and many other neighborhood improvement efforts. Learn more at www.YerbaBuena.org.