George Koster
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VOC Series COVID-19 Resources Page

COVID-19’s Impact on San Francisco Nonprofit Series

 

Resources to help with Covid-19’s Impact

 
 

Reinventing San Francisco: Government, Downtown, & Civic Trust

”Bay Area Council Economic Institute & CBRE-2023 Regional Recovery Index”

Key Findings

  • Our regional economic recovery index ranks the San Francisco MSA 24th out of 25 peer regions, holding down its rank for the third quarter in a row. Austin ranks 1st, and San Jose ranks 19th. Index metrics include job and labor force growth, real estate activity, population growth, and changes to economic activity and affordability. (Scroll down for scores & methodology)

  • The region fully recovered its pre-pandemic jobs in January 2023, but still lags behind the state and nation. Most of the region’s lag can be attributed to blows to the service and hospitality sectors that have yet to fully recover, and slower growth in “knowledge industries” e.g., tech, R&D, legal etc.

  • The region saw a nearly five-fold increase in residents working from home from 2019 to 2021. But because office and tech work drives much of the Bay Area economy, our region is more susceptible to longer-lasting effects of remote work than its peers.

  • The San Francisco and San Jose metro areas collectively lost 204,000 people during the pandemic, as people left for cheaper parts of the state, or more affordable states entirely (like Texas, Washington, and Oregon).

  •  In terms of office vacancy, San Francisco saw the largest increase within the region, experiencing a 25 percentage point increase from 4% vacancy in Q1 2020 to 29.4% by Q1 2023.

  • Not accounting for fewer in-migrants, out of state moves were greater in 2021 than in 2019 — but not nearly as high as they were after the Great Recession. Top destinations for those who moved away from the region are largely still in California, though shares to out of state destinations have increased.

  • The City of San Francisco collected $36 million fewer dollars (or -11%) in sales tax revenue in 2022 versus 2019, taking the hardest hit of any large West Coast city. Hotel revenues and air travel also continue to trail competing tourism destinations.

  • The Bay Area continues to remain the epicenter of venture capital funding, bringing in over twice as many dollars per capita as Boston, the next highest funded region.

  • As of March 2023, 32% of employers in the region say they’ve already reduced or consolidated their office space, and another 23% say they plan to reduce or consolidate their office space in the region over the next few years.

"SPUR's From Workspace to Home base - Office to Residential Conversion Study"

Summary:

The "Surprising Shift" Question

The most definitive data point proving that the "old normal" has fundamentally changed is that "fewer than a third of the people who frequented San Francisco’s downtown before the pandemic do so now". Additionally, the document states that "only about 46% of San Francisco’s workers" are back in the office. (Note: This is the near-identical match to the "45%" figure mentioned in the prompt). This shift has pushed the office vacancy rate to 28%, which is the "highest San Francisco’s office vacancy rate has ever been". Vacancy is projected to remain high through at least 2026 as more leases expire and tenants continue to "reduce their footprints".

 

The "Community Stake" Question

The lack of downtown activity directly threatens local survival as the "continued lack of economic activity — combined with quality-of-life issues — has created distress for retail districts and for small businesses, many of which have shuttered permanently". The document notes that the health of downtown is vital because it generates most of the the city's business tax and commercial revenues, which are used to pay for "affordable housing, community facilities, infrastructure, and city services". Furthermore, the historically expensive office market previously "priced out" many nonprofits and small firms from San Francisco. Converting these spaces is expected to "increase support for small businesses, artists, and cultural organizations" by generating more foot traffic.

The "Path Forward" Question


The primary solution recommended to restore vibrancy is "converting underperforming office buildings to residential use". (Note: This is the exact wording for the "commercial-to-residential conversions" mentioned in the prompt). To achieve this, the researchers recommend a "pivot" through six specific policy imperatives:

·      Remove obstacles in building codes and simplify approvals for conversion projects.

·      Consider making the inclusionary housing requirement less stringent.

·      Consider reducing city impact fees and in-lieu fees for conversion projects.

·      Explore tools to provide incentives for office conversion projects.

·      Explore state legislation that provides property tax incentives for conversion projects that produce affordable and workforce housing.

·      Consider policies to create a “reserve” for the office space removed through conversions.

·      The goal of these solutions is to transform the central business district into a "mixed-use, 24/7 social hub"

The State of Our Small Businesses in a Post Covid-19 Pandemic Marketplace. 

Here are some Key reports & What They Cover:

  • 2022 Small Business Survey on Economic Recovery — San Francisco Small Business Commission + SFSU (citywide survey of 800+ firms; detailed findings + recs). PDF. (San Francisco Media API)
    Companion slide deck summarizing results. (San Francisco Media API)

  • Office of Small Business Annual Reports (FY22-23, FY23-24) — program data (grants, fee waivers, technical assistance), policy changes, and recovery initiatives. (San Francisco Media API)

  • Civil Grand Jury: “Taking Care of Business: San Francisco’s Plan to Save its Small Businesses” (2023) — diagnosis of permitting/registration pain points; calls for integrated systems and fee relief. (San Francisco Media API)
    BLA follow-ups (2024) analyze costs/feasibility of the fixes (First Year Free; federated permitting).

  • City & County SLFRF Recovery Plan (2025 update) — where federal recovery dollars went (incl. $48.9M toward small businesses, activations, public space). (U.S. Department of the Treasury)

  • SPUR policy brief “Small and Mighty” (2024) — policy playbook for small-biz growth (streamline rules, fill vacancies, pilot pop-ups, support downtown). (SPUR)

  • Controller/Planning recovery materials & “Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future / Future of Downtown” — broader economic strategy with small-biz implications (residential conversion goals, activations, safety/cleanliness). (San Francisco Planning)

  • OEWD Annual Report (FY23-24) — updates on direct grants, storefront initiatives, and outcomes. (San Francisco Government)

What the Reports Collectively Say:

Top issues facing SF small businesses since COVID-19

1. Lower revenue & foot traffic (especially downtown); many firms still below 2019 levels. (San Francisco Media API)

2. Public safety & street conditions (theft, disorder) and the perception of safety hurting customer demand. (San Francisco Media API)

3. High operating costs (rent, labor, insurance) amid slower sales. (SPUR)

4. Complex, slow, and fragmented permitting/registration across departments; poor system integration. (San Francisco Media API)

5. Hiring difficulties / staffing shortages and uneven digital capacity (e-commerce, marketing). (San Francisco Media API)

Recommendations That Appear Across Sources

  • Improve safety & cleanliness in business corridors (more foot/bike patrols; expand ambassador programs; street maintenance). (San Francisco Media API)

  • Streamline the permit journey (one-stop support, cross-department data integration, clearer timelines, fewer touchpoints). (San Francisco Media API)

  • Targeted financial relief & incentives (fee waivers like First Year Free, small-biz grants, tax reforms for the smallest firms).

  • Activate commercial districts (pop-ups, events, temporary uses, storefront-filling programs to increase foot traffic). (SPUR)

  • Technical assistance & digital adoption (marketing, e-commerce, accounting, HR, language access). (San Francisco Media API)

  • Make Shared Spaces/parklets and public-realm improvements business-friendly to support restaurants/retail. (San Francisco Government)

Digital Marketing, eCommerce, Public Relations, Writing, Creative Design Resources

Our marketing experts from our Episode 84 Panel of Small Businesses & Digital Marketing Experts about digital marketing & e-commerce during a pandemic & holiday season; Rebecca Bertoldi, of Rebecca Bertoldi Marketing Company and Valerie Camarda, of Marketing Sense and Consultant with the City of San Francisco’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), have provided us with a great list of resources below for you to utilize for your small businesses, nonprofits or yourself.

  • Marketing Resources from Valerie Camara of Marketing Sense
    + Free consulting services and webinars you will use to help your business grow: Small Business Development Center/SF and Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center

  • + Social Media Management: Hoot Suite

  • + Creative Design Tools: Canva - Provides templates for presentations, social media, print products, video & marketing, and Printing Services:

  • + PS Print Provides inexpensive online printing services as well as templates at reasonable prices

  • + Market Research Tools: Poll your clients or prospects with this easy-to-use survey tool Survey Monkey

  • + Public Relations Tool: Help a Reporter Out This site is useful for developing content and finding experts you can use to substantiate your content. If you’re an expert in a particular field consider responding to an inquiry made on the site and get yourself some free publicity!

  • + Writing Tool: Heming Way App - Most people don’t enjoy writing. Here’s a tool that will make it easy by helping you streamline your content.

Small Business and NonProfit Funding Sources

The City of San Francisco has just announced a $62 Million Relief Plan for small businesses and you can read all of the details here and you can ready Mayor Breed's Medium post on how she's helping small businesses survive the Pandemic

Also, please check out the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development's page of resources for more information on business and workers programs and sign up for rapid response webinar for employees and businesses

California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program -Round One Closes January 13, 2021. Round Two to be announced.

Governor Newsom proposing $4.5 Billion in new funding for small businesses, nonprofits, and jobs

Small Business Administration Coronavirus Relief Funding Options

SBA will establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees

To get more information on this two-week window of opportunity you may want to participate in the series of webinars hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Public-Private Strategies Institute, & other stakeholders to hear about:

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. SBA is currently offering:
+ First Draw PPP Loans for first time program participants
+ Second Draw PPP Loans for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. The EIDL Advance program provides businesses located in low-income communities with additional funds to ensure small business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency
+ Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 EIDL Loans
+ Frequently Asked Questions about Targeted EIDL Advance

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
+ For additional details, see our Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Frequently Asked Questions.

Americans For the Arts put together an extensive table of resources from spring 2020 to now in their 2021 COVID Arts Resources Table

Also, please check out the California Arts Council Grants resource page for grants and support.

Independent Sector’s Resources Guide

Arts & Culture Organizations

Californians for the Arts The put together a great Covid-19 Resources page that they’re trying to keep current and a wonderful summary. Californa Creative Corps Funding announcement

The CARES Act 2 has launched and the California Arts Council is helping to promote the US Small Business Administration's Program. On Thursday, Jan. 14, at noon PST, the U.S. Small Business Administration will host a webinar to give a preliminary overview of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program (a.k.a. "Save Our Stages") included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. The webinar will provide introductory information about the grants, who can apply, how potential organizations can prepare, and additional details re eligibility and applications. You have to register to participate

City of San Francisco’s Creative Corps - Here’s the Mayor’s Announcement and you can apply through Paint the Void by filling out this form For more information on the San Francisco Creative Corps Community Health Ambassadors, please contact aescobedo@ybca.org

SF Arts Commission Grants for the Arts

Theatre Bay Area Covid-19 Resources Page

American’s for the Arts - Put Creative Workers to Work - here’s the policy piece that American’s for the Arts is working with the Biden Harris Administration to execute. Check out their webinar series on how to tap into CARE ACT 2 funding. They have a two-part webinar on January 15 & 22 to help Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Artists learn how to tap into the new CARES Act 2

Save our Stages Act in the CARES ACT 2 - here’s the actual legal language from the US Senate. For more information on Save our Stages

Research/Other

Research and other resources regarding COVID 19:

Return to the Stage Study

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Otis College 2022 Report on California Creative Economy

Dive into the wonderful annual Otis College of Art and Design 2022 Report on Covid-19’s impact on the California Creative Economy.

Read the 2022 Otis Report

Arts & the Economy - The Economic Impact of the Arts in San Francisco

This is one of the most comprehensive reports developed on the economic impact of the arts and our creative economy on the City and County of San Francisco. This report was prepared by Sean Randolph, Senior Director at the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, Research Analyst Estevan Lopez, and Executive Director Jeff Bellisario. The Economic Institute wishes to thank its sponsors: Grants for the Arts, the San Francisco Arts Commission, the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, and SF Travel for supporting the project and the following individuals at those organizations for their support and guidance.

Read the 2021 Bay Area Council Economic Institute Report




 
 
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