# Lurie fires innovation staff after $7M Bloomberg grant

> Mayor Lurie's innovation office cuts most staff despite $7M Bloomberg grant meant to grow team.
- Title: Lurie fires innovation staff after $7M Bloomberg grant
- Summary: Mayor Lurie's innovation office cuts most staff despite $7M Bloomberg grant meant to grow team.
- Keywords: mayor daniel lurie, bloomberg philanthropies, innovation office, staff layoffs, san francisco, bloomberg grant, city innovation team, mayor's office, The San Francisco Standard
- Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/11/07/lurie-fires-innovation-office-staff-bloomberg-grant
- Published: 2026-11-08T01:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mayor daniel lurie, bloomberg philanthropies, innovation office, staff layoffs, san francisco, bloomberg grant, city innovation team, mayor's office, news, local
## Bloomberg grant for innovation team
San Francisco received a $7 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to expand its innovation team.
## Lurie fires most staff
Mayor Daniel Lurie's office fired six of ten innovation staff members this week.
## No severance or details
Fired employees received no severance, and the office didn't answer questions about notices or health coverage.
## Grant conditions unmet
The grant requires the city to raise $2.33 million in matching funds and meet other conditions.
## Payment schedule delayed
A second payment of up to $2.38 million was scheduled for November 1 but may not have been received.
## Office shifted priorities
The innovation office changed its focus from technology projects to neighborhood policies and safety.
## Staffing changes
The office lost its director and overseeing chief, with most staff eliminated in less than a year.
## PermitSF unaffected
The mayor's office said the firings have 'nothing to do with PermitSF' and 'no impact on that project'.
## Lurie's response
Lurie's spokesperson said the office should use 'cutting-edge technology' to improve city services.
## Original team size
The grant was meant to expand a six-person team to ten staff members.
## Funding gap
The city reported no fundraising had occurred by January, despite expecting $1.5 million to $2 million.
## Shift in leadership
The innovation office changed hands twice this year, with leadership shifting between staff members.
## Key takeaway

Mayor Daniel Lurie's office fired six of ten innovation staff after receiving a $7 million Bloomberg grant intended to expand the team.