The Economic Development Funding Program covers economic development, tourism and small business support. This grant program allocates Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue to promote San Diego as a business and tourism destination; and utilizes the Small Business Enhancement Program (SBEP) to supports small business efforts Citywide and in Microdistricts. 

Eligibility

An eligible nonprofit organization has a mission that closely aligns with one of the following:

• Goal A: Creates, retains and/or expands small businesses with a neighborhood-based focus, excluding Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). 
• Goal B: Creates, retains and/or expands non-base-sector small businesses by offering a program to small businesses Citywide, not focusing on specific commercial neighborhoods with BIDs or Microdistricts. 
• Goal C: Promotes the City of San Diego as a visitor destination, enhancing the Tourism base sector. 
• Goal D: Enhances San Diego's economic standing and reputation as a Smart City and a center for innovation, entrepreneurship and technology development for base sector businesses (Manufacturing and Innovation, International Trade and Logistics, or Defense). 

Economic Development Funding Schedule

The schedule for the annual review of proposals and allocation of funding for the Economic Development Funding Process is approximately six months beginning in January. The funding, if approved, will apply to proposed Program/Project budgets for each applicable fiscal year, which is from July 1 through June 30.

Application Informational Session Details

As a requirement of the  Economic Development Funding Program, interested applicants are required to attend one (1) informational sessions. At least one representative from the organization must be present during the virtual session. Presentation materials and Q&As will be posted soon.

Workshop Presentation - Slide deck now available to view. (Please note this presentation is from a previous year and information is subject to change.)

Q&As from the previous meeting(s)

Application Process

The Economic Development Funding Program online application is available through SeamlessDocs and must be completed in one session. Follow the steps outlined in the Application Guidelines, including preparing a Sample Application and attachments in advance.  Please allow at least one (1) hour for completing the online application and uploading the attachments. 

Sample References from previous years:

Funding Guidelines

Sample Application (Microsoft Word format) or

Sample Application (PDF format)

Scoring Sheet

The application for FY 2025 Economic Development Funding Program is now closed.

Stay Updated

Please contact us through sdbusiness@sandiego.gov if you have any questions.

Previous Economic Development Funding

The City of San Diego supports local nonprofits that foster the City’s economic prosperity and quality of life. Funding opportunities are available to local nonprofits that launch, expand, attract or retain businesses in the City, advancing San Diego as a leading innovation hub and tourist destination. Explore past Economic Development Funding Recipients in the interactive map below to see the variety of valuable organizations we support.

To optimize viewing, please click this link to open the full map in a new window.