Support Local Businesses Through the Retail Restart Fund

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 independent business economy. The Fund will offer mini-grants averaging $500 each to eligible independently-owned retail applicants in our community to help them absorb the costs of re-opening safely – covering the purchase of supplies ranging from personal protective equipment and contactless payment systems, to plexiglass dividers and outdoor tables, to paper menus and staff safety training.  The Restart Fund has been created through the generosity of local residents and businesses, in addition to regional philanthropic partners.  100% of all proceeds raised by UCD will be directed to local retailers.

We’re 80% of the way toward our $50,000 goal, which would allow us to make mini-grants for up to 100 independently-owned retailers and restaurants. Please give today to invest in the vibrancy of our neighborhood and the vitality of our neighborhood businesses.

Below is a list of Restart Fund donors. Thank you to every business, neighbor, and partner who has already donated. 

Susan Best

Julie Blank

Campus Apartments

Craig Carnaroli

The Connelly Foundation 

Edwin Deegan

Director's Grant Program of the Barra Foundation

Julie Donofrio

Murray Dubin

Stephanie Fahringer

Johannah Fine

David Forde

Susan Gerber

Barry Grossbach & Mike Hardy

Richard Guffanti

Kelly Hartmann

Katie Hawkes

Curt Hess

Evan Johnstone

Priya Joshi

Jamie Kudera

Jeffrey Lin

Michael Murphy 

Laura Parnum

David Penkower

Ann Pomeroy

Joseph Ruane

Eric Santoro

Spruce Hill Civic Association 

Rachel Szkaradnik

Mary Tilley

U3 Advisors

University City District

Univest

Walnut Hill Community Association

Joan Weiner

Wexford Science + Technology

Karen Wisnia