Programs

LIFE IN THE ARTS

LIFE IN THE ARTS helps bridge the legacy of racism and disinvestment that has hurt the health and well-being of low-income communities of color.  Throughout history, artists have used their art to catalyze social movements and change entrenched societal beliefs. racial inequity, community health, housing, and economic displacement. 

Life In The Arts supports a spectrum of artists, businesses and genres – music, dance, paint, spoken word, theater, photography.  Projects include mural paintings, culturally influenced artwork, community learning projects, hip hop and R&B music development and event productions, introduction to the arts, music and technology plus other career pathways within the entertainment industry. 

Our support helps clients make informed decisions on their post-secondary education options, employment opportunities, and business development and management, recognizing that financial stability is a key determinant of larger academic success: 

• offering financial resources and incentives for students to persist and complete their post-secondary education goals, 
• utilizing our extensive network of partners, funders and stakeholders to deliver adult education programs – internships, apprenticeships, educational curricula, and organizational resources – that focus on delivering powerful placemaking and equitable development outcomes.

2-STEP

2-STEP aims to empower and uplift residents of disenfranchised neighborhoods across San Francisco, providing technical assistance and resources to help develop and build capacity of their non profit organizations. 

At NCLF, we understand that “organizationally preparedness and grant readiness” for non profit entities is a marathon, and not a sprint.  2-STEP helps identify realistic expectations and goals, provides collaborative thought partnership and guidance – tapping into our extensive network of experts and consultants to scale, strengthen and grow non profits.

Our range of non profit development resources includes: business set up, such as (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6), mission and vision statement development, strategies to identify target markets, realistic organizational goal setting, coaching/mentoring, resources to build capacity, fundraising, and oversight for the grant application process – from identifying available grants, to grant qualification and application completion through to submission.

TECHNICAL ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL HUB

Our Technical Economic and Cultural Hub features Small Business UpSkill – a program that works towards the growth of financial health and well being.  We serve businesses deeply rooted in low-income and in historically underserved communities throughout San Francisco, placing an emphasis on our clients’ needs and where they are in their life stage.  

UpSkill provides technical assistance and services to micro businesses, small businesses and entrepreneurs, at differing stages of their business life cycle, offering: grant identification and application support; assistance in market readiness; business plan and IDP (Individual Development Plan) development; organizing small business finances; budgeting/forecasting, marketing and communications, including digital skillset development; coaching/mentoring and network connections.

NCLF has supported more than 100 small business owners and entrepreneurs with services that include: business set-up, including LLCs and Sole Proprietorships; attaining SF Business Permit, Supplier, and Bidder status; mobile truck set up; business plan development; business service trainings; development of business plans; mentoring services; marketing and outreach training; business training and technical assistance; improved digital skills and more.