Bringing sparkle to the streets

The Civic Joy Fund started in 2023 as a program of the Civic Space Foundation, with the goal of revitalizing a post-pandemic San Francisco.

What started with a little idea to light up commercial corridors around the city grew into initiatives to paint hundreds utility boxes, host weekly trash pick ups, and later host large scale events like Downtown First Thursdays and night markets across the city. 

The Civic Joy Fund has helped re-energize public spaces across San Francisco by bringing art, music, culture, and above all, joy, to our city’s streets. We believe that cities become more resilient, inclusive, and lively when people connect with their environment and with each other. By fostering vibrant street activations, we aim to draw people back to public spaces, stimulate local economies, and contribute to a broader cultural revival.