Grants
DAHP Grant Programs
Funding for the four grant programs below is appropriated by the state legislature each biennium. For the curent biennium (25-27) the grant programs are administered by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation via contract with DAHP.
Historic County Courthouse Rehabilitation Grants
The Historic County Courthouse Grant Program is generously supported by funding from the Washington State Legislature. The grant program is housed within the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) and managed under contract by the Washington Trust. The program provides matching grants to assist counties in preserving their courthouses. Since 2005, the program has provided 77 grant awards to 28 county courthouses statewide, totaling more than $24.5 million in grant funds that have leveraged nearly $60 million in overall capital improvements. These grants support local economies and help preserve these diverse and valuable local landmarks.
Please direct your inquiries to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation at 206-462-2999, or via email at grants@preservewa.org.
Historic Cemetery Grant Program
Historic Cemetery Grant Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP). Management of the grant portion of the program is provided by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation under contract with DAHP. Established in 2016 with the enactment of House Bill 2637, the capital grant program is intended to benefit the public by preserving outstanding examples of the state’s historical heritage, enabling historic cemeteries to continue to serve their communities, and honoring the military veterans buried within them.
Please direct your inquiries to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation at 206-462-2999, or via email at grants@preservewa.org.
Heritage Barn Rehabilitation Grants
Heritage Barn Rehabilitation Grant Program is administered by the state Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) in conjunction with the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. The grant are part of the state’s Heritage Barn Preservation Initiative established in 2007 and is designed to stabilize and preserve designated Heritage Barns across the state. Since the program’s inception, Heritage Barn Grant funding has provided assistance to over 50 Heritage Barns throughout Washington.
Please direct your inquiries to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation at 206-462-2999, or via email at grants@preservewa.org.
Historic Theater Grant Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP). Management of the grant portion of the program is provided by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation under contract with DAHP. Established in 2021, the program is intended to recognize and preserve historic theaters as an essential element to economic vitality and social health of any community
Please direct your inquiries to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation at 206-462-2999, or via email at grants@preservewa.org.
Other State Grant Programs (listed for information only, not administered by DAHP)
Library Capital Improvement Program
The Library Capital Improvement Program, administered by the Department of Commerce, was created by the Legislature in their 2019 Regular Session to assist libraries operated by governmental units, as defined in RCW 27.12.010, to acquire, construct or rehabilitate their facilities.
This fund specifically supports heritage organizations that undertake capital projects with the goal of interpreting and preserving Washington's history and heritage. Non-profit organizations, tribes, and local government agencies may apply. The program is run through the Washington State Historical Society. Projects need to provide heritage preservation and/or interpretation. Each HCPF grant dollar must be matched with $2, half of which may be in-kind (unless the grat request is below $100,000, in which case all match may be in-kind).
Building for the Arts was created by the Legislature in 1991 to award grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts, art museum, and cultural organizations. The program is administered by the Department of Commerce and awards grants to performing arts, art museum, and cultural organizations for up to 20 percent of eligible capital costs for acquisition, construction, and/or major renovation of capital facilities.
Capital facilities grants for community-based, nonresidential community and social service projects. The Building Communities Fund Program, administered by the Department of Commerce, awards state grants to nonprofit, community-based organizations to defray up to 25 percent or more of eligible capital costs to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate nonresidential community and social service centers. There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount.
WA State Complete Streets Program
In 2022, the Washington State Legislature added a Complete Streets requirement in RCW 47.04.035. This directs WSDOT that “in order to improve the safety, mobility and accessibility of state highways, it is the intent of the Legislature that the department must incorporate the principles of complete streets with facilities that provide street access with all users in mind, including pedestrians, bicyclists and public transportation users” and "integrate the state route into the local network" for “state transportation projects starting design on or after July 1, 2022 and that are $500,000 or more if starting design between July 1, 2022 and July 31, 2025, or $1,000,000 or more if starting design August 1, 2025 or later."
Community Development Block Grant Program
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Grants are made available annually through a competitive application process to assist Washington State small cities, towns and counties in carrying out significant community and economic development projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The Washington State CDBG Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the state CDBG Program is to improve and maintain the economic and physical environment of eligible, non-entitlement cities and counties in order to enhance the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents and, as a result, benefit the entire community.
Other Sources of Funding (listed for information only - not administered by DAHP)
The Valerie Sivinski Fund is an annual grant program of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation that provides up to $3,000 to organizations involved in historic preservation in Washington. Examples of eligible projects range from purchasing materials for brick-and-mortar projects to producing publications that promote historic preservation of a specific resource. Highest priority will be given to projects that are urgent in nature, contribute significantly to the development of community preservation organizations, and/or are listed on the Trust's Most Endangered Historic Places list.
The Questers is an international membership organization that funds the preservation and restoration of artifacts, existing memorials, historic buildings, landmarks, and educational purposes. Must be a member of the organization to apply. The purpose of the grant program is to encourage preservation and restoration at the local level by chapters. Grants are awarded for the preservation and restoration of existing historic buildings, museums pr landmarks and appropriate antique objects or artifacts for those structures.
Is capital growth or expansion important to your nonprofit’s vision for long-term growth and success? The Murdock Trust regularly makes grants that support construction, renovation, land purchase and other capital projects. In most cases, we prefer to receive requests for these types of projects once your organization has raised a portion of the needed funds.
Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
Increasing access to diverse arts, cultural, and heritage experiences for everyone.
The Norcliffe Foundation is a private nonprofit family foundation established in 1952 by Paul Pigott for the purpose of improving the quality of life of all people in the community by the application of financial and human resources. A variety of program areas are supported including human services, healthcare, civic and community projects, education, and arts and culture.
The 1772 Foundation’s 2025-2026 Grantmaking Plan focuses on advancing historic preservation with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
Lowe's Hometowns is a five-year, $100 million commitment to restore and revitalize community spaces across the country and part of Lowe’s commitment to deliver 10 million square feet of impact this year. Each project will receive a grant from Lowe's to make physical improvements that help local organizations continue to make meaningful impact in their communities.
Historic preservation is the principal funding area since the beinging of the Kinsman Foundation. The Foundation is a private foundation built on the philanthropy of John and Elizabeth T. Kinsman of Milwaukie, Oregon. In 2006 they identified our primary interest in this area as architectural preservation — the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction of historic buildings, structures and related sites. Most of the projects they fund involve buildings that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing resource in an historic district. The foundation continues to consider grants for other historic preservation activities as a secondary interest. For 2011, Historic Preservation grants are budgeted for approximately one-quarter of our total grants, about $275,000.
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Funding from the National Trust is awarded to nonprofit organizations and public agencies, and the majority of funding is awarded for planning and education projects through our National Trust Preservation Funds grant program.
T-Mobile is committing up to $25 million through 2026 to support small towns, villages, and territories across America by funding community projects. The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program funds projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town. Projects should be shovel-ready, physical builds or improvements that can be completed within 12 months of receiving Hometown Grants funding. Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to: adaptive uses of older and historic buildings into community gathering spaces, improvements to outdoor parks or trails, and technology projects for the public library. Funds may not be used for: engineering and architectural plans or fees, salaries or annual operating expenses, or reimbursement for projects that are already completed.
