Background & History of Excelsior Action Group
Historically rooted in the Excelsior district in San Francisco, the mission of Excelsior Action Group/EAG is to develop and sustain underserved commercial corridors in District 11 through small-business capacity building, public and private space activation, community real estate and city liaison services, and policy advocacy activities.
Since 2002, EAG's work as a 501(c)3 non-profit focuses on attracting new business and investment from both the public and private sector, retaining locally-serving business and minimizing displacement by providing business support. We do this by promoting businesses, initiating community events, and developing local leadership and advocacy through our activities and programs with an aim to increase the safety, attractiveness and viability of the Outer Mission, Excelsior and Broad/Randolph commercial districts.
BACKGROUND - WHY WE FORMED
In August 2002, residents, merchants, and community organizations of the Excelsior Neighborhood came together to voice concerns about their declining Mission Street shopping district. Voicing their concerns about preserving small, family-owned businesses and the eclectic character of the neighborhood; they also wanted more residents to feel comfortable and excited about shopping in the Excelsior. We called ourselves the Excelsior Action Group, or "EAG." A number of large, long-term and blighted vacancies, coupled with the city’s three decades of disinvestment, was leading to the displacement of long-term businesses, no longer able to keep their doors open because of the decline in commercial activity. The businesses that opened in their stead--check cashing, liquor stores--were no longer serving the community’s broader needs for goods and services. Ultimately, we formed a community-driven action group to strengthen the commercial district by focusing on physical, social and economic improvements and have led the way to improvements for 18 years. In 2017 EAG was awarded funding to expand its services to the Outer Mission and the Broad and Randolph Commercial Corridors, which, along with the Excelsior, have been historically under-served corridors. With the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 shutting down businesses, EAG has pivoted to providing small business funding, from mini to micro-grants, from shared spaces support to PPE and storefront beautification funding.
Learn how to get involved with EAG by clicking here.
Since 2002, EAG's work as a 501(c)3 non-profit focuses on attracting new business and investment from both the public and private sector, retaining locally-serving business and minimizing displacement by providing business support. We do this by promoting businesses, initiating community events, and developing local leadership and advocacy through our activities and programs with an aim to increase the safety, attractiveness and viability of the Outer Mission, Excelsior and Broad/Randolph commercial districts.
BACKGROUND - WHY WE FORMED
In August 2002, residents, merchants, and community organizations of the Excelsior Neighborhood came together to voice concerns about their declining Mission Street shopping district. Voicing their concerns about preserving small, family-owned businesses and the eclectic character of the neighborhood; they also wanted more residents to feel comfortable and excited about shopping in the Excelsior. We called ourselves the Excelsior Action Group, or "EAG." A number of large, long-term and blighted vacancies, coupled with the city’s three decades of disinvestment, was leading to the displacement of long-term businesses, no longer able to keep their doors open because of the decline in commercial activity. The businesses that opened in their stead--check cashing, liquor stores--were no longer serving the community’s broader needs for goods and services. Ultimately, we formed a community-driven action group to strengthen the commercial district by focusing on physical, social and economic improvements and have led the way to improvements for 18 years. In 2017 EAG was awarded funding to expand its services to the Outer Mission and the Broad and Randolph Commercial Corridors, which, along with the Excelsior, have been historically under-served corridors. With the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 shutting down businesses, EAG has pivoted to providing small business funding, from mini to micro-grants, from shared spaces support to PPE and storefront beautification funding.
Learn how to get involved with EAG by clicking here.
Check out the projects section of our website to view current and past projects of the Excelsior Action Group
