The Heart of Jtown Resiliency Fund

Geographic Scope: San Francisco Japantown (Sutter and Geary from Laguna to Fillmore, Buchanan Mall, and Buchanan Street within JCBD boundaries)

Focus Areas:

• Employee wages support
• Rent assistance and referral to services (loan application assistance, grant programs)
• PPE (personal protective equipment) and supplies for social distancing protocols

Background: The Japantown Community Benefit District (JCBD) raised $500,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to support small businesses affected by COVID-19.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a for-profit business located in San Francisco Japantown
• Business must be regulated by City and County of San Francisco and have current SF business license or permit
• Business must adhere to City and County public health orders and social distancing recommendations
• Must demonstrate at least 25% decrease in revenue as result of COVID-19 (closure or reduced operations) with Profit/Loss Reports
• Business must agree to describe plans for reopening
• Grant request limited to maximum $5,000
• Funds must support payroll and operating costs for named business

Application & Award Administration

• Conflict of Interest: JCBD Board members with business interests may not serve on review or disbursement committees
• Reporting Required: Grantees must complete final report explaining fund use; JCBD will contact award recipients with report deadline based on award date
• Record Keeping: Applicants must maintain records showing fund usage

Mailing Address: 1674 Post Street, Suite 2, San Francisco, CA 94115 | Phone: 415-265-5207

Application Process

1. Complete Application Form: Submit the grant application form available on the JCBD website
2. Submit for Review: Submit completed form for review by JCBD
3. Award Decision: JCBD will review and determine award eligibility
4. Post-Award Reporting: Upon award, applicant must complete final report when JCBD indicates deadline (based on award date)

Required Information

• Business location and JCBD boundaries verification
• Current SF business license/permit documentation
• Profit/Loss Reports demonstrating 25% revenue decrease due to COVID-19
• Plans for business reopening
• Proposed use of funds (limited to payroll and operating costs)
• Records of how funds will be/were used

Questions

Contact: Melissa Ayumi Bailey at melissa@jtowncbd.org