A family-owned restaurant serving the neighborhood for over 30 years. The local co-op making sure customers can shop as safely as possible. Independently-owned shops for books, unique gifts, board games and hardware. Local businesses are the backbone of our neighborhood, and they need our support. That’s why we are launching the Retail Restart Fund to get more cash directly into the hands of University City business owners and operators.

Each spring, as we near the close of our fiscal year, we write to ask that you consider a contribution to UCD so that we may sustain and grow our investments in places and people. Amid crisis, this year is different. If you’re able, we ask that you consider summoning the same wonderful generosity and commitment to community, and direct it toward our local retailers and restaurants through the University City Retail Restart Fund, a new initiative to support our local economy we will launch in the next few weeks. 100% of all proceeds raised through this fund will be regranted to independently-owned businesses in our community to help them absorb the costs of re-opening safely—covering the purchase of supplies ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE) and contactless payment systems, to plexiglass dividers and outdoor tables. More details on how businesses can apply will be sent out soon!

UCD is more than halfway toward the $50,000 goal, which would allow us to make mini-grants for up to 100 independently-owned retailers and restaurants.

Give today at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/ucd20/donate to invest in the vibrancy of our neighborhood and the vitality of our neighborhood businesses.

—University City District