City of Richmond Facade Improvement Program Administered by Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center __________________________________________________________________________ Program Overview
The Richmond Facade Improvement Pilot Program provides small businesses with funding to enhance
the
appearance,
safety,
and
visibility
of
their
storefronts.
A
total
of
$300,000
is
available
to
be
distributed
as
grants
of
up
to
$15,000
per
commercial
address
.
The program is designed to:
● Improve the look and feel of Richmond’s commercial corridors. ● Support small, locally owned retail businesses. ● Stimulate economic activity and community pride.
The program launch is December 29, 2025 and it will remain open until December 2026 or until all
funds
are
awarded.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
● Retail & public-facing businesses: Ground-floor, street-facing establishments that provide
goods
or
services
in
person
to
the
general
public
during
posted
hours.
● Qualified nonprofit storefronts open to the public (e.g., thrift stores, museum/gallery retail,
community
arts
retail)
operating
in
a
ground-floor,
street-facing
space
with
posted
hours
and
public
entry
from
the
right-of-way.
Administrative-only
nonprofit
offices
are
not
eligible.
● Property owners with vacant ground-floor commercial spaces who commit to making the
space
available
for
lease
within
six
(6)
months
of
receiving
conditional
grant
approval.
Eligible applicants must also:
● be located within the City of Richmond, in eligible program areas (see below); ● have 2024 business revenue of $2 million or less (may be verified); ● have an active City of Richmond business license;
● be in good standing with the California Secretary of State; ● have written landlord approval to make improvements.
Not Eligible:
● Home-based businesses ● Offices not open to the public (exceptions may apply if the business operates like a storefront
office)
● Businesses not in compliance with City regulations Eligible Improvements
Grant funds may be used for exterior improvements visible from the public right-of-way, including
but
not
limited
to:
● Windows and doors ● Awnings and canopies ● Signage ● Exterior painting ● Exterior lighting ● Storefront repairs ● Other exterior upgrades approved on a case-by-case basis ● Materials purchased for approved improvements if work is self-performed (labor costs for self-performed
work
are
not
reimbursable).
Projects must begin within 90 days of approval .
Projects must be completed within 90 days of project start , unless an extension is granted.
Eligible improvements must preserve full storefront transparency and avoid any exterior fixtures
that
obscure
visibility
into
the
business
during
daytime
or
nighttime
conditions.
Improvements
whose
primary
purpose
is
physical
security
rather
than
beautification—particularly
those
that
reduce
transparency
or
alter
the
visual
character
of
the
façade—are
not
eligible.
Ineligible Improvements
Examples of ineligible projects include:
● Interior work ● Equipment purchases ● Landscaping or site improvements not attached to the building ● Routine maintenance or cleaning ● Debt service City of Richmond Small Business Facade Improvement Program Administered by Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center Updated 12/29/25
Target Areas
Eligible businesses located in the following neighborhoods:
● Iron Triangle ● Santa Fe ● Coronado
To check neighborhood boundary lines, visit: https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/267/Neighborhood-Councils Grant Amounts
● Maximum grant award: $15,000 per commercial address ● Eligible businesses located in multi-tenant buildings with separate addresses may each apply
Application & Approval Process
1. Application Submission ○ Apply online. or contact Renaissance ([email protected] or 510-619-8668) for help applying ○ Upload project description and contractor bid(s). ○ If doing work yourself, submit a detailed materials list with cost documentation.
The
cost
of
labor
will
not
be
reimbursed
if
doing
the
work
yourself,
or
if
work
is
not
performed
by
a
licensed
contractor.
○ Provide landlord written approval (if tenant). ○ Provide estimated project timeline. (Projects must begin within 90 days of approval
and
be
completed
within
90 days
of
project
start
,
unless
an
extension
is
granted.)
2. Eligibility Review ○ Business location, license, and Secretary of State status will be reviewed. ○ All scopes of work will be reviewed for eligibility. ○ Additional documentation to support application responses may be requested.
3. Conditional Approval ○ If the applicant meets all eligibility requirements and the proposed scope is approved—subject
to
available
funds—Renaissance
will
issue
a
Conditional
Approval
Letter
.
City of Richmond Small Business Facade Improvement Program Administered by Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center Updated 12/29/25
4. Permitting ○ Applicant applies for required permits (e.g., signage review, planning approval) and
pays
fees.
○ Permit fees are eligible for reimbursement if project proceeds and grant is funded.
○ If project scope is denied by Planning, Applicant may revise and re-apply.
Permit
fees
will
not
be
reimbursed
if
the
project
does
not
move
forward.
5. Grant Agreement ○ Applicant signs a Grant Agreement and Acknowledgment. ○ Applicant submits W9.
Funding & Payment Process
● First Payment: Up to 50% of project cost upon proof of permit approval and either: ● a signed contractor agreement (if hiring a contractor), or ● paid receipts / vendor invoices for materials (if doing the work themselves). ● Final Payment: The remaining 50% is processed after project completion and site review.
Processing
is
expected
to
take
15-30
days
so
payments
can
be
expected
15-30
days
after
the
site
review.
Notes:
● Projects must begin within 90 days of approval . ● Projects must be completed within 90 days of project start , unless an extension is granted.
● Permit fees may be reimbursed only if the project ultimately moves forward. If the project is
abandoned,
permit
costs
are
not
reimbursed.
Public Recognition
All grant recipients agree to participate in a photo opportunity with City of Richmond officials as a
condition
of
this
grant.
Photo
sessions
will
be
scheduled
following
project
approval
or
completion.
Key Dates
● Program Launch: December 29, 2025 ● Program End: December 2026 or until funds are fully awarded
City of Richmond Small Business Facade Improvement Program Administered by Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center Updated 12/29/25