EXPANDING OUR IMPACT: THE TENDERLOIN MUSEUM TRIPLES ITS SIZE

Site of TLM’s expansion at 316 Leavenworth St., next door to the museum’s current space

A Vision for Growth

For nearly 10 years, the Tenderloin Museum has celebrated and preserved the history of one of San Francisco's most vibrant yet misunderstood neighborhoods. Now, we're embarking on our most ambitious project yet: a $3.7 million capital campaign to expand our footprint and amplify our impact.

We have secured a new 6,850-square-foot historic space adjacent to our current location, allowing us to create a cultural anchor that will play a pivotal role in revitalizing both the Tenderloin and San Francisco as a whole.

Help us reach our goal—your support will bring this vision to life!

 
 

Revitalizing San Francisco Starts Here

At the Tenderloin Museum, we believe that revitalizing San Francisco starts with uplifting its most marginalized communities. By celebrating the history, diversity, and resilience of the Tenderloin—a neighborhood that has long served as a rare, affordable haven for artists, iconoclasts, low-income workers, and immigrants—we work toward a city where every resident feels welcome, every voice is heard, and every neighborhood thrives.

Our mission is to celebrate and preserve the history and spirit of the Tenderloin, a cornerstone of San Francisco's cultural fabric. Through educational programs, artistic initiatives, and community-focused activities, we aim to honor the neighborhood's unique identity, support its vibrant present, and foster its future potential as an integral part of the city's growth and vitality.

Why Now? The Challenges We Face

Lifting up San Francisco

San Francisco stands at a crossroads, facing significant challenges that demand bold and inclusive solutions. As the city works to revitalize its downtown core, it must address the intertwined issues of inequity, public perception, and neighborhood disparity.

The Tenderloin often bears the weight of these challenges, its struggles magnified in the public eye. Yet this historic neighborhood also holds the potential to be a model for urban renewal, where community, creativity, and inclusivity drive progress.

The Solution: A Transformative Expansion

The expanded exhibition space will redefine the narrative of the Tenderloin, highlighting its role as a microcosm of San Francisco's broader history. Moving beyond negative portrayals, it will celebrate the neighborhood's legacy of activism, innovation, and resilience while amplifying the voices of the diverse communities that define it.

Our expanded museum will:

  1. Create two special-focus history exhibitions, each with a dedicated room in the new space, building on the TLM subject core of SRO hotels:

    • Indo-American Hotelier History Exhibit: Celebrating the journey from Tenderloin SROs to nationwide hospitality leadership

    • San Francisco's First Neon Sign Gallery: Preserving the iconic art form that defined the neighborhood's visual identity

  2. Enrich our permanent exhibition for greater inclusivity and diversity by incorporating key narratives and materials from past exhibitions—including Tenderloin Blackness and Tenderloin Times: Sharing Local News Across Time, Education for Action: California Labor School, 1942–1957, and Transition Times: Re-Membering Anti-Carceral Resistance in the Tenderloin. These additions will ensure a more representative and enduring portrayal of the Tenderloin’s vibrant community 

  3. Create a dynamic arts gallery to showcase contemporary works that reflect and engage with community issues

  4. Host a wide range of community events and rentals, sustaining the museum's operation while providing valuable gathering spaces

As a cultural anchor and economic engine, the expanded Tenderloin Museum will open two new storefronts, directly fostering opportunities for commerce, community connection, and activation. This initiative will not only bolster the Tenderloin's economic vitality but also attract new foot traffic to San Francisco.

In the Press: 

Recent media coverage of the Tenderloin Museum’s expansion:

Ways to Support

Make a Donation

Every contribution helps us reach our goal. Donations of all sizes are appreciated and will directly support the expansion of the Tenderloin Museum.

Corporate Matching

Many companies will match your donation, doubling or even tripling your impact. Check if your employer offers matching and if so, contact kconry@tednerloinmuseum.org

By Mail

Tenderloin Museum, Attn: Expansion Campaign
398 Eddy Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Join Our Community

Becoming a member is one of the best ways to support the Tenderloin Museum. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a longtime neighborhood advocate, there's a membership level that's right for you.

Contact Us

Questions about the expansion or how to support? Our Executive Director would be happy to discuss personalized benefits, answer questions, or arrange a private tour.

Contact:
Katie Conry, Executive Director
kconry@tenderloinmuseum.org

The Tenderloin Museum is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.