Background & History of Excelsior Action Group
Historically rooted in the Excelsior district in San Francisco, the mission of Excelsior Action Group Community Benefit District is to develop and sustain underserved commercial corridors in District 11 through small-business capacity building, public and private space activation, community engagement, attracting new small businesses, cleaning, providing assistance negotiating leases, and city liaison services.
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, hosting corridor activation community events, and collaborating with local organizations, businesses, and city leadership to improve safety, cleanliness, and economic vitality for all who shop, dine, attend school, conduct business, and ride transit through 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 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. At that time there were a number of large, long-term and blighted vacancies, the business tax revenue had decreased leading to decades of disinvestment. A number of long term businesses had closed due to retirement and loss of revenue 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.
In 2017 , EAG was awarded funding to expand its services to the Outer Mission and the Broad and Randolph Commercial Corridors. Even though the surrounding neighborhoods are filled with long-time residents, 69% owner occupied housing is the highest percent in the city, there has historically been a lack of private investment in this working class, union household area. 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.
In 2024, property owners voted to establish a community benefit district, that runs along Mission Street , between the new Islais Place community living (south of Russia Avenue) to Silver Avenue and the Campus for Jewish Living, operating out of the same location for over 100 years. For more information about the community benefit district, use this link.
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, hosting corridor activation community events, and collaborating with local organizations, businesses, and city leadership to improve safety, cleanliness, and economic vitality for all who shop, dine, attend school, conduct business, and ride transit through 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 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. At that time there were a number of large, long-term and blighted vacancies, the business tax revenue had decreased leading to decades of disinvestment. A number of long term businesses had closed due to retirement and loss of revenue 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.
In 2017 , EAG was awarded funding to expand its services to the Outer Mission and the Broad and Randolph Commercial Corridors. Even though the surrounding neighborhoods are filled with long-time residents, 69% owner occupied housing is the highest percent in the city, there has historically been a lack of private investment in this working class, union household area. 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.
In 2024, property owners voted to establish a community benefit district, that runs along Mission Street , between the new Islais Place community living (south of Russia Avenue) to Silver Avenue and the Campus for Jewish Living, operating out of the same location for over 100 years. For more information about the community benefit district, use this link.
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
