San Francisco Business Accessibility $10,000 Grant For ADA Compliance & Barrier Removal

Secure Funding To Make Your Small Business ADA Compliant: San Francisco Accessibility Grants Now Available

Donor: City and County of San Francisco, Office of Economic and Workforce Development

About: The San Francisco Business Accessibility Grant provides vital financial support to small business owners seeking to improve physical accessibility and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. With reimbursements of up to $10,000, this grant bridges the financial gap that often prevents small businesses from making necessary accessibility modifications, helping them welcome customers of all abilities while avoiding potential litigation.

Unlike traditional loans, this program offers direct reimbursement for completed accessibility projects, making it a true grant opportunity with no repayment obligations. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, though funding is limited and distributed first-come, first-served. This creates an urgent opportunity for San Francisco small business owners who need to address accessibility barriers but have hesitated due to cost concerns.

The grant specifically targets physical accessibility improvements that remove barriers for individuals with disabilities. Eligible projects must address concrete accessibility issues, typically identified through a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) inspection or through the city’s Accessible Business Entrance (ABE) program requirements. This targeted approach ensures funds directly impact real-world accessibility challenges faced by customers and employees with disabilities.

What sets this grant apart is its flexible approach to project planning. Business owners can apply with a quote before starting work, allowing them to confirm eligibility and secure potential funding before investing in accessibility improvements. This two-step process reduces financial risk for business owners while still ensuring that only completed projects receive reimbursement. The grant covers a comprehensive range of accessibility modifications, from accessible equipment and fixtures to design services, construction costs, and permit fees.

For businesses already working toward ADA compliance or those required to meet the city’s Accessible Business Entrance program deadlines, this grant provides timely financial relief. With the December 31, 2024 deadline approaching for submitting ABE checklists and permit applications, this grant offers a valuable resource for covering those compliance costs.

Navigating grant applications can be challenging, especially while managing the day-to-day demands of running a small business. At Grantaura, we specialize in helping businesses identify and secure appropriate funding opportunities like this one. Our comprehensive grant services include eligibility assessment, document preparation, application submission assistance, and follow-up support. With our expertise, you can maximize your chances of securing this valuable funding while focusing on what you do best—running your business.

Focus: ADA compliance, accessibility improvements, barrier removal, CASp inspections, small business support

Region: San Francisco, California, United States

Eligibility:
-Business must be registered in San Francisco with a 7-digit Business Account Number (BAN)
-Must be a place of public accommodation (open to the public as defined by Federal ADA)
-Annual gross revenue must be less than $2.5 million for a single location
-Annual gross revenue must be less than $8 million for businesses with multiple locations
-Must maintain an average of 100 or fewer employees
-Must be the owner/operator of the business location
-Property owners may only be eligible if they also own and operate the place of public accommodation
-Non-profits may be eligible if they operate a place of public accommodation and are current with the Registry of Charitable Trusts
-Not eligible: religious organizations, private clubs not open to the general public, residential short-term rentals, home-based businesses, and Shared Spaces

Benefits:
-Up to $10,000 in grant funding
-Reimbursement for CASp inspections and reports
-Coverage for purchase and installation of accessible equipment/fixtures
-Funding for construction and labor costs to remove ADA barriers
-Support for design services related to ADA barrier removal
-Coverage for relevant permit fees

Deadline: Rolling applications, subject to funding availability

Terms:
-ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act, a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life
-CASp: Certified Access Specialist, a professional certified by the state to inspect buildings for compliance with accessibility standards
-BAN: Business Account Number, a unique 7-digit identifier assigned to businesses registered in San Francisco
-ABE: Accessible Business Entrance program, a San Francisco initiative requiring business entrances to be physically accessible
-Place of public accommodation: Facilities operated by private entities that affect commerce and fall within specific categories defined by the ADA, such as restaurants, retail stores, service establishments, and places of entertainment
-Prevailing wage: The hourly wage, benefits, and overtime paid to the majority of workers within a particular area, which contractors must comply with when working on publicly funded projects