Building a downtown San Francisco for everyone
San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) is the nonprofit public-private partnership driving downtown San Francisco’s revival. We deploy catalytic capital to create a welcoming city where people live, work, play, and learn.
Our Impact
$60M
in capital raised in 2025
175K
Visitors to DDC-funded activations including Downtown First Thursdays and Winter Walk
40%
drop in crime in Union Square and Financial District in 2025
600+
Blocks of power-washing enabled each month through DDC grants
82%
of surveyed BART riders felt safer with ambassadors present
+208%
increase in SFPD applications from experienced police officers
Our Programs
The DDC runs five interconnected program areas to accelerate San Francisco’s economic revitalization. Each program targets a specific driver of recovery while reinforcing the others.
Clean & Safe
Clean and safe streets are downtown’s foundation. The DDC funds safety and hospitality ambassadors, supports SFPD recruitment, and funds daily deep cleaning along key corridors, building conditions where residents, workers, and visitors feel welcome and secure.
Downtown Business Fund
The Downtown Business Fund offers grants up to $500,000 and loans from $100,000 to $1 million to help businesses open and expand downtown. We provide one-on-one support through technical assistance to help businesses every step of the way.
Public Spaces
Thriving public spaces attract people and investment. The DDC supports once-in-a-generation capital projects, from the Powell Street (aka “cable car turnaround”) Improvement Project to Embarcadero Plaza & Sue Bierman Park Renovation Project, that transform downtown’s streetscapes and create vibrant destinations.
Arts & Culture
Downtown San Francisco is a world-class cultural destination, and the DDC helps keep it that way. We support Downtown First Thursdays, commission public art, and support seasonal programming that activates and fills streets and supports local businesses.
Real Estate
Downtown San Francisco faces high office and retail vacancies. The DDC catalyzes real estate investment, supports office-to-residential conversions, and creates conditions for downtown to become a thriving mixed-use district.
About Us
The DDC is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in 2025 to lead downtown San Francisco’s economic revitalization.
Working in close collaboration with the City of San Francisco, we mobilize private capital and civic leadership to deliver real, visible change. Our lean, experienced team moves quickly, deploying resources where they’re needed most and building toward a downtown for everyone.
What is the Downtown Development Corporation?
The San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) is an independent nonprofit created to lead downtown San Francisco’s economic revitalization. A public-private partnership, we work in close collaboration with Mayor Lurie’s administration to deploy catalytic capital and run programs across five areas: Clean & Safe, Downtown Business Fund, Public Spaces, Arts & Culture, and Real Estate. We convene leaders from the city, civic and nonprofit organizations, labor, real estate, business, and philanthropy to coordinate efforts and deliver visible, lasting change.
What do you consider “downtown”?
The DDC’s early focus is the Hospitality Zone – Union Square and the Yerba Buena/Convention Center area – given its concentrated economic and cultural impact. Our work also reaches into Mid-Market, parts of SoMa and Civic Center, the Financial District, and the Embarcadero. Pre-pandemic, this area represented just 4% of the city’s land but accounted for approximately 40% of residents’ jobs, 40% of small businesses, and up to 60% of the city’s tax revenue. The economic activity generated downtown powers services in every neighborhood across San Francisco-from transit and parks to schools and first responders.
How does the DDC decide which projects to fund?
In its first year, the DDC has focused on shovel-ready initiatives and urgent city priorities. We prioritize projects that tackle downtown’s most pressing challenges-vacancy, public safety, and declining foot traffic-while building long-term resiliency. We work closely with city agencies, downtown organizations, and community partners to identify gaps and avoid duplication, concentrating resources in areas where catalytic investment can quickly have a visible impact.
How can I support the DDC?
We welcome support from anyone committed to downtown San Francisco’s future. Financial contributions directly fund our programs and projects, from safety ambassadors and public art to our Downtown Business Fund. We also welcome ideas for new partnerships and pro bono support. Please reach out to contact@sfddc.org with questions and ideas.
Has this model worked in other cities?
Yes! Public-private partnerships have driven downtown revivals in cities including New York City, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Denver, Cincinnati, and Houston. In each case, coordinated private investment – aligned with city leadership and community stakeholders – reversed cycles of vacancy and declining foot traffic. San Francisco has the same ingredients: a City Hall committed to downtown’s future, a motivated private sector, and a world-class cultural and innovation ecosystem ready to be reignited.
San Francisco’s comeback is a team effort
Reimagining downtown won’t happen by accident. It takes coordinated investment, committed leadership, and a willingness to act with thoughtful urgency for the benefit of everyone in San Francisco.