Partnering For Progress: How Amazon is Investing in The Future of San Francisco’s Downtown

San Francisco's unique culture, diversity, and spirit of innovation make it a special place for thousands of Amazon employees and customers who live, work, and play in the city. With offices throughout downtown and operations nearby, Amazon has deep roots in San Francisco (SF) and is committed to partnering with local organizations, community leaders, and local businesses to support initiatives that are meaningful to San Franciscans. Here are a few ways Amazon's investing in the future of downtown:

Strengthening San Francisco's economic core
Amazon joined forces with other technology leaders in a transformative initiative to revitalize the heart of San Francisco. Through a partnership with the San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation(DDC), aligned with Mayor Lurie's "Heart of the City"vision, we're helping drive meaningful change in the city's core. The DDC has secured commitments from private-sector partners to bring coordination, speed, and execution to downtown renewal efforts. The investments are already making an impact across the city, funding projects like clean and safe services, a new downtown business fund supporting local entrepreneurs, improvements to the community gathering space East Cut Crossing, and advancement of the Embarcadero park project. The DDC is also reviving community spirit by relaunching First Thursdays, the popular event celebrating local artists and performers.

The Downtown Ambassador Programis a vital public safety and hospitality initiative that places trained ambassadors around key transit hubs and commercial areas to enhance the downtown experience. As a founding corporate partner, Amazon helped launch the pilot program, focusing on the Embarcadero and Montgomery BART stations-critical entry points to the city's financial district and waterfront areas. We're inspired by the initial results-a 53% reduction in safety-related incidents and increased commuter confidence, with 82% of Embarcadero station users reporting enhanced safety during morning commutes.

Creating vibrant public spaces
Amazon's sponsorship of signature events like Let's Glow SFand Winter Walkhave become beloved annual traditions. As Let's Glow SF's presenting sponsor since 2023, we've helped bring the largest holiday projection arts festival to downtown San Francisco where the works of artists from around the world are projected onto historic buildings, attracting visitors and boosting the local economy.

Our partnership with the Union Square Alliancesupports Winter Walk, which has helped transform Union Square into a pedestrian-friendly celebration of arts and retail. We extended this seasonal commitment to a year-round beautification effort through our sponsorship of Union Square in Bloom,including the popular Tulip Day that kicks off the spring season and brings San Franciscans together to celebrate and enjoy downtown.

Supporting community spaces and small businesses
In the East Cut district, Amazon has taken a leadership role in two transformative projects. First, as the first corporate funder of the East Cut Sports & Dog Park, we're helping create a multi-use recreational space to serve as a community hub for years to come. Second, through The Blue Depotinitiative, we're partnering to provide entrepreneurs with free retail space to introduce new customers to their businesses and inspire storefront success by removing the financial burden of standard commercial leases. Since 2024, we've helped small businesses like Soluna Threads, Altura Clothing, AiTsuki Art,and Sumiware Ceramicsto grow their brands in San Francisco. In its first year, the program supported 11 entrepreneurs, provided 310 days of free tenancy for small business owners, and led to one short term brick-and-mortar lease signed downtown.

My time at the Blue Depot was one of those rare moments where all the metrics advanced in the right direction. The energy, the new faces, the momentum; the business truly felt like part of this community. The opportunity to grow within a space that actively supports small, local businesses reminded me that sustainable retail and meaningful, small-scale curation still resonate. We are ready at Ruby's Old & New for what's next. "Grateful" doesn't even begin to cover it! Thank you so much, Amazon! - Alison Neri, Owner of Ruby's Old & New

Making arts and culture accessible
A vibrant arts and cultural scene is fundamental to San Francisco's identity and economic vitality. That's why Amazon partners with cornerstone cultural organizations in downtown like the San Francisco Opera, American Conservatory Theater(ACT), SF Ballet, SFJAZZ,and the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.Amazon believes in nurturing the next generation of arts enthusiasts by supporting programs like ACT's Bold Access Initiative,which provides free theater tickets to Title 1 elementary students, and by funding popup concerts with SFJAZZ. These efforts ensure cultural experiences remain accessible to all.

Supporting critical community needs
To address critical community needs, we're working alongside nonprofit partners throughout downtown San Francisco, including funding Compass Family Services'mental health and early childhood services for families experiencing homelessness, corporate sponsorship of Chinatown Community Development Center's Annual Gala and Lunar New Year Luncheon to advance affordable housing and tenant support programs. We also partner with San Francisco Community Health Centerto expand access to comprehensive, culturally responsive health care. These partnerships reflect our commitment to supporting organizations that strengthen the fabric of downtown San Francisco and create pathways to stability for our most vulnerable neighbors.

Delivering meals to those in need
Through our partnership with the SF-Marin Food Bank, we provide financial support and use Amazon's delivery network to deliver 3,400 free meals weekly to those in need-homebound seniors, people with disabilities, and others unable to visit food pantries in person. Many deliveries take place in downtown San Francisco. The program provides enough food for 2.6 million meals annually, making it the largest home-delivered groceries program of its kind in the country.

Looking Forward
As San Francisco enters its next chapter, moving beyond recovery to reimagine what a modern downtown can be, Amazon will continue to work alongside dedicated partners who make this transformation possible. With several offices downtown and thousands of employees, plus ongoing operations throughout the city, Amazon has a deep and enduring commitment to ensuring San Francisco's success. The tireless efforts of non-profit community partners are essential to supporting San Franciscans' safety, health, and well-being. Through collaborative partnerships and strategic investments, we aim to shape a downtown that reflects the innovation, creativity, and community spirit that have always defined San Francisco. Together, we're building a more resilient, vibrant, and inclusive city center.