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Report regarding a resolution accepting a $10,000 grant from Genentech for the 2026 South San Francisco Lunar New Year Night Market, and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.033 appropriating the funds. (Ernesto Lucero, Economic Development Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution accepting a $10,000 grant from Genentech and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.033 appropriating the funds.
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BACKGROUND
Economic and Community Development Department (ECD) staff continue to pursue opportunities to bring revitalization efforts to downtown. One successful opportunity has been to bring new events for residents, regional visitors, and local businesses. On February 7, 2025, the City held its first Lunar New Year Night Market in the downtown Breezeway, next door to the Economic Advancement Center (EAC) along Grand Avenue. The event concept was developed based on significant community engagement around the business improvement district outreach, ideas to activate the Breezeway space, and bringing more foot traffic to downtown on a Friday evening.
The Night Market concept proved to be a successful event with nearly 900 attendees, 30 food and beverage vendors, and lion dancers along Grand Avenue taking place in the early evening on a Friday. The event was sponsored by Genentech’s South San Francisco Civic Fund and the National League of Cities (NLC). Regional event organizer, OMG Entertainment, contracted with the City to implement the event.
DISCUSSION
The Genentech South San Francisco Civic Fund annually issues a call for applications to projects and programs that have an impact within the South San Francisco community. As part of the commitment of Genentech to the local community, the fund is an annual grant opportunity intended to invest in local organizations and programs that serve South San Francisco, and events that enhance pride and community from its residents. Grant awards range between $5,000 and $25,000 per request.
Qualified grant awardees must meet the following criterion:
• The project or program must demonstrate that it serves South San Francisco residents;
• The project, program, or event must take place in South San Francisco, or reasonably accessible to South San Francisco residents such as other communities within North San Mateo County;
• The request is within $5,000 to $25,0000; and
• The organization must be recognized by the IRS as a tax exempt, public charity under sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code and be located in the United States; or be a US governmental organization (such as public schools, public colleges and universities, public hospitals and federally recognized Indian tribal governments), or local government.
Into its second year, the South San Francisco Lunar New Year Night Market will take place in February 2026 featuring cultural and food vendors celebrating the Lunar New Year.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund by accepting the grant funds.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution accepting and appropriating a grant in the amount of $10,000 from Genentech towards the 2026 South San Francisco Lunar New Year Night Market, and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.033, appropriating the funds.