How much funding does Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund provide?

Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund provides $5,000 - $50,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

How often is Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund offered?

Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund is described as a one-time opportunity.

Downtown Pop-Up Opportunity Fund

Atlanta Downtown Improvement District Inc

Foundation One-time Small Business Grants Community Development Grants

Funding Amount

$5,000 - $50,000

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: One-time opportunity
Tracked since: April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Other requirements

Construction of walls, ceilings, and structural elements
Flooring, painting, lighting
Booth-specific electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
Signage, canopies, awnings, vendor branding

Not eligible / not funded

Not eligible: Be independently owned and operated by a local entrepreneur (franchises and national chains are ineligible)
Not eligible: Business Type: Retail or restaurant operator, including soft good retailer, café, bakery, bar, full-service restaurant, or specialty retailer (professional services such as accounting, legal, marketing, consulting that do not primarily serve retail consumers are ineligible)
Not eligible: Not currently operating: Businesses currently operating in an existing leased space are not eligible; funds cannot be used to improve an already-occupied location

Overview

A grant initiative supported by the Eastside and Westside TADs, designed to accelerate the lease and activation of vacant or underutilized small commercial storefronts within Downtown Atlanta. The program specifically supports independent, locally owned retail and restaurant businesses seeking to occupy storefront locations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other upcoming large-scale events.

Geographic Scope: Downtown Atlanta area within Eastside or Westside TAD boundaries (use Address Look-up Tool to verify eligibility)

Award Amount: Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, helping cover tenant improvement costs

Administering Organization: Central Atlanta Progress, in partnership with Invest Atlanta and Showcase Atlanta

Focus Areas & Eligible Improvements

Grant funds may be used for physical improvements in a previously vacant space that:

Comply with local zoning, design and historic preservation guidelines
Enhance customer experience and storefront appearance, function, and condition

Eligible uses include:

Construction of walls, ceilings, and structural elements
Flooring, painting, lighting
Booth-specific electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
Signage, canopies, awnings, vendor branding
Food prep surfaces, counters, fixed displays
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (up to 20% of total grant)

Eligibility Requirements

Qualified Small Business Applicants must:

Be independently owned and operated by a local entrepreneur (franchises and national chains are ineligible)
Local definition: Metro Atlanta area, with preference to City of Atlanta based entities
Business Type: Retail or restaurant operator, including soft good retailer, café, bakery, bar, full-service restaurant, or specialty retailer (professional services such as accounting, legal, marketing, consulting that do not primarily serve retail consumers are ineligible)
Location: Must have a new letter of intent, lease, or license agreement for a vacant storefront in the Downtown area within Eastside or Westside TAD boundaries
Not currently operating: Businesses currently operating in an existing leased space are not eligible; funds cannot be used to improve an already-occupied location

Property Owner Applicants must:

Own commercial property within the Downtown Atlanta area within Eastside or Westside TAD boundaries
Control vacant or underutilized storefronts available for lease to eligible small businesses
Have legal authority to enter into a lease or tenant improvement agreement with qualifying small businesses
Have a new letter of intent, lease, or license agreement for a vacant storefront in the eligible area

Contact Information

Program Resources:

Full Program Guidelines (available on website)
Informational Webinar Recording
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Download available
Address Look-up Tool (to verify location eligibility)
Small Business Interest Form (to obtain list of available spaces)
Property Owner Interest Form (to obtain list of businesses seeking short-term leases)

How to Apply

Application Process

Status: Application deadline was March 6, 2026 and has closed. Applications are currently under review.

Note: The deadline was moved up to ensure grant funds can be expended in advance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Supporting Forms (for ongoing interest/information)

Small Business Interest Form - Fill out if you are interested in obtaining a list of available spaces for lease within the program boundary
Property Owner Interest Form - Fill out if you are interested in obtaining a list of businesses looking for short-term leasing opportunities through this program

Required Documentation (from closed application)

Applicants were required to provide:

New letter of intent, lease, or license agreement for a vacant storefront in the eligible area
Evidence of independent ownership and local operation
Details of proposed tenant improvements