2023-24 List of Grant Winners

The McCoppin Hub plaza revival currently consists of a number of smaller projects around McCoppin and Stevenson streets. Project organizer and local HOA Chair Samuel M has received commitments from other funding sources to accompany the SFB grant, which will allow for large scale improvements across the entire area. The plaza has been fenced off and unsafe for many years, and work is underway for new murals and clean up with the support of SF Beautiful.

Planting of drought resistant agave and phormium along Valencia Street, near the “Hub”.

MISSION BERNAL GREENING

What was once an unkempt grassy trash receptacle is now becoming the Blue Plate Rain garden, with new soil and irrigation, this small plot at 3218 Mission will be a considerable improvement. We tip our proverbial cap to Jorge R for working diligently with the PUC to ensure proper testing and permitting.

RUSSIAN HILL TREE REVIVAL

The board and employees of SFB are proud to announce the completion of the Russian Hill Tree revival, and thank organizer Arden C for not only working with local arborists, but also making himself available to our other grant winners who wished to plant trees.

The before image of empty plots lining the streets of Russian Hill. The sun sets on the newly planted olive trees, “olea europaea”.

LA PLAYA GARDEN REVITALIZATION

At La Playa and Judah lie the La Playa Gardens, eternally brushed by the breeze coming from Ocean Beach 25 yards away. Organizer Rachel G and her team at the SF Parks Alliance plan to revamp planter boxes, improve walkways, add plants, and repair the benches falling into disrepair. This is a 6 month to one year endeavor, so please check back regularly as we update progress.

Plants and rotting wood benches sit in disrepair at the La Playa Park Gardens at La Playa St. and Judah.

SUNGLOW STAIRWAY BEAUTIFICATION

The Sunglow Stairway lies between the Portola and Excelsior neighborhoods in the mid southern section of San Francisco. Organizers Sarah P and Shauna W have heard the call, and have thus spent multiple weekends with their Friends of the Sunglow Stairway group, and a grant from SF Beautiful, to revitalize the staircase and the area around it. It is now difficult to tell that it is the same staircase.

Kite HILL GLAM UP

We salute Melissa K and the “Kite Hillbillies” for improving one of San Francisco’s most treasured public areas, Kite Hill. With help from SFB grants, Melissa and her crew have set up regular volunteer days to plant the sparse expanses of the Hill, and are working with Parks and Rec to ensure proper placement, irrigation and species.

CAPP STREET CLEAN UP

Capp Street is a common sighting for many Mission dwellers. Densely populated and close to fine dining, bars, bakeries, concept shops (are those still around?) and more. Enter our organizer and proud San Franciscan, Edward C. He easily coasted a grant from SFB with his vision, attention to detail, and diligence. With street cleaning and planters he has transformed the block of Capp Street at 23rd. His work literally shone in all of its finery at night, with solar lighting installation (sadly the lights have since been stolen). Let us enjoy the hard work of Edward C in the images below.

WOMEN'S BUILDING MURAL LIGHT UP AND PLANTERS

At 18th & Lapidge sits a San Francisco landmark. The MAESTRAPEACE mural is recognized as a tribute to women’s contributions worldwide. Diane S leads the way, with beautiful blue planters, and lighting for the mural which currently sits dark in the evenings. SF Beautiful grant funds contributed a much needed leaf blower and miscellaneous materials such as sky blue paint for the new planters, and gloves.

DIVISADERO STREET BANNERS

Projects that involve hanging things from poles should always be done with extreme caution. Fearless SF resident Sarah B had her vision, and executed it. She worked with reputable vendors, and leveraged her winning of the SFB grant to raise more funds to install new banners down Divisadero. Top marks go to Sarah B and A3 Visual.

EXCELSIOR MOSAIC AT THE CIRCLE

Here sits one of our proudest grant projects. Organizers Tom W and Melissa G have enlisted SF mosaic artist Dana Albany, who has been creating professional mosaic designs for years. Tom’s words to us were “we do not need the funds until the project is finished, do not worry” which is music to the ears of anyone organizing a grant program such as ours. Scroll down to see the unbelievable transformation of this corner of the city.

BAYVIEW COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR

For this project we honor two distinguished San Franciscans: Earl Shaddix, the founder of Economic Development on Third (EDoT), and Markos Major, founder of Climate Action Now! (CAN). This is a multi phased project currently underway to beautify the areas of the long neglected Bayview district. SFB assisted CAN in planting and clearing all two dozen plots surrounding Leola Havard Middle school in honor of Black History Month, in the wind and rain.

DIAMOND HEIGHTS BOULEVARD MEDIAN PROJECT

Superhero Mike D and the SF Parks Alliance helped to organize the beautification of the enormously long median meandering through Diamond Heights, in the heart of San Francisco, with the help of some SFB grant funds.

DANIEL WEBSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLYARD SHINE UP

The wonderfully Italian Mariangela M has lit the spark underneath her colleagues to beautify this place of learning, named after American statesman Daniel Webster (1782-1852). When we heard the words “children” and “painting rock garden” in the same sentence, we could not in good conscience deny them a grant. Lots of fun has been had, and work continues on this project. Buona fortuna!

INGLESIDE TERRACE CIRCLE

Donna H and the Ingleside Terrace HOA are true examples of what it means to be proactive community members. They went above and beyond the scope of the project, transforming multiple medians, including large decrepit circles at Urbano and Mercedes, into beacons of drought resistant wonder. No team has earned an SFB grant such as Donna and the Ingleside Terrace crew.

OCEAN ALE HOUSE MURAL

Sole organizer and artist Ellen L is in a class by herself. Not only did she ask for next to nothing for her painting of the graffiti covered board outside the Ocean Ale House (1314 Ocean Ave), but she used her leftover paint to complete a second mini mural, at the Champa Garden Restaurant. All for a fraction of the maximum grant size. Bravo Ellen.

CHAMPA GARDEN RESTAURANT MINI MURAL

As stated above, we cue Ellen L again to showcase the Champa Garden Restaurant mini mural. What has already been said above warrants being said again: she is diligent, hard working, talented, responsive, and just overall a bright young soul. Visit her website AskMeSF.com for info on the SF scene, hotspots and hidden gems. It is the perfect resource for anyone visiting, or locals looking for something new. Thank you Ellen for making such an incredible difference.