Bringing sparkle to the streets

We’re organizing and investing in projects that bring joy to San Francisco streets.

DJ performing during at Downtown First Thursdays with a large crowd dancing and socializing in the background.

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 began with a little idea to light up commercial corridors around the city has grown into initiatives to paint hundreds of utility boxes, host weekly trash pick ups, and organize large scale events like Downtown First Thursdays and neighborhood night markets.

By bringing more art, music, energy, and above all, joy, to our city’s streets, we aim to draw people back to public spaces, stimulate local economies, and contribute to San Francisco’s broader cultural vibrancy. We believe that cities become more resilient, inclusive, and lively when people connect with their environment and with each other. So we give neighbors the tools to bring their communities together.

Join us! We’d love to hear your ideas for how to activate your neighborhood.