Storefront Enhancement Grant

Storefront Enhancement Grant is sponsored by Downtown Everett Association. Provides financial support to business and property owners for projects to improve the appearance of building facades, storefronts, and window displays in downtown Everett.

Storefront Enhancement Grant – Downtown Everett Association Storefront Enhancement Grant Downtown Everett Storefront Enhancement Grant The Downtown Everett Storefront Enhancement Grant is intended to provide financial support to business and property owners who embark on projects to improve the appearance of their building facades, storefronts, and window displays with the aim of improving the downtown district’s visibility, attractiveness, safety, and shopability.

The grant is awarded on a competitive basis. The program is a 50/50 match with up to $5,000 awarded to each approved applicant. (For example, a project costing $3,000 will be reimbursed $1,500.)

2026 Applications are closed. Thank you for applying!

Frequently Asked Questions Funds may be used to reimburse costs of materials and labor including, but not limited to, the following types of projects: New signage and/or awnings Entryway improvements, including new flooring Repair of historical architecture features Outdoor planters/curb appeal enhancements Consulting and design fees Equipment rental and construction costs Routine or deferred maintenance is NOT eligible for funding.

The property or business must be located within Everett’s Downtown Improvement District (DID) boundaries. View Map The business must be located on a ground floor, fronting a public sidewalk. Commercial property owners and tenants may apply.

The expenses must not have been incurred prior to February 19, 2025. The applicant must be current with property taxes, assessments, city license fees, city business taxes, and permit fees. Applicants can apply separately for multiple addresses.

Projects can receive the grant maximum of $5,000. Some projects may receive less depending on the requested amount, proposed scope of improvements, discretion of the committee based on set criteria, and availability of funds. For labor to be reimbursed, work must be completed by a licensed contractor or authorized third-party provider.

Labor performed by the applicant or property owner is ineligible for reimbursement. All projects must adhere to applicable zoning and building codes; some projects may require City of Everett permits. Property Owner Authorization must be submitted for work outside the applicant’s lease agreement.

Proof of costs and payment, in the form of paid invoices, will be required. The deadline to complete the project and submit receipts is September 30, 2025. Application deadline: March 22, 2026 Grant awards announced: April 2026 Deadline to Complete Project: September 30, 2026 For questions about the Storefront Enhancement Grant, please reach out to Scott Hulme at 425-258-0700 x104 or email grants@downtowneverettwa.

org. Funding for the 2026 Storefront Enhancement Grant is made possible by the Downtown Everett Association and economic recovery funds allocated by City of Everett Councilmember Paula Rhyne. Download the grant application form.

Applications can be submitted via email to grants@downtowneverettwa. org or delivered to the DEA office at 1511 26th St, Everett. The deadline to apply for funding was March 22, 2026 .

Grants will be announced the early April. Grants will be reviewed by a committee and scored based on set criteria, along with discretion by the selection committee members. Priority will given to projects that are likely to increase business activity and best improve the district’s visibility, attractiveness, safety, and shopability.

Priority will also be given to projects that can realistically be completed within six months. Projects can receive the grant maximum of $5,000 but may receive less based on the request, cost of the project, discretion of the committee, and availability of funds. Awardees will be informed of their selection by DEA staff promptly after the selection process is completed.

Upon acceptance of an award, successful applicants must sign a grant agreement that states the awardee agrees to the terms of the grant. The agreement must be signed before eligible expenses are incurred. Upon completion of the project, proof of costs and payments must be submitted for reimbursement.

Before and after photos must also be submitted. The project must be completed by September 30, 2026, to receive reimbursement. Only approved project costs will be reimbursed.

If there are any changes to the project before completion, qualifying expenditures must be approved by DEA staff. An extension to complete the project may be requested only if the project experiences unforeseen extenuating circumstances. Extensions will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of DEA staff.

Before submitting your application, please make sure the following are complete: Application Form with Project Summary Scope of Work & Estimated Costs Property Owner Authorization Form, if applicant is a tenant Email your completed application to grants@downtowneverettwa. org or deliver it to: Downtown Everett Association Frequently Asked Questions My storefront or building is not located in Downtown Everett. Can I apply for this fund?

No, the Storefront Improvement Grant is only available to property owners and business owners located within Everett’s Downtown Improvement District (DID) boundaries. view map What types of projects are eligible to receive funding? Improvements that are highly visible to customers, neighboring merchants, and residents will be considered.

Examples of eligible projects include exterior painting or murals, improved lighting, new signage, new window display fixtures, and outdoor curb appeal enhancements. What fees may be included in my request for grant funding? In addition to material costs, grant requests may include costs that support the completion of a project such as contracted labor, consulting and design fees, permit fees, or equipment rental.

What labor costs are reimbursable? Because this grant is supported in part by city funding, labor should be performed by a contractor who complies with prevailing wages. If the contractor does not have a prevailing wages affidavit on file with L&I, the labor portion of project costs may not be reimbursed.

I have an idea for an improvement project that is not listed. Can I still apply? Other types of improvements may qualify on a case-by-case basis.

Please contact Scott Hulme at grants@downtowneverettwa. org to inquire about project eligibility. Is there a maximum dollar amount I can request?

Yes, the maximum dollar amount for funding requests is $5,000. Additionally, a business or property owner must contribute an equal amount of the request. For example, if a project costs $5K, then the request cannot be greater than $2,500.

And if a project costs $2K, then the request cannot be greater than $1,000. Although some project costs could exceed $10,000, a business or property owner cannot be awarded more than $5,000. Can I request less than $5,000?

Yes, you can request reimbursement for any amount up to $5,000. Priority will be given to projects that costs at least $1,000. Is this a matching grant?

Yes, this is a 50/50 matching grant. Awardees will be reimbursed for 50% of an improvement project, up to $5,000. If a project costs $5K, then you could receive $2,250; if the projects costs $10K, you could receive $5,000.

If the project costs more than $10K, then the most you can receive is $5,000. Can I apply for funding for expenses that have already been incurred? Yes, eligible expenses incurred for projects started after February 19, 2026 may be funded through the grant.

When is the Property Owner Authorization Form required? A Property Owner Authorization Form is required for applicants who do not own the property they occupy. The form must be signed by the property owner before any work may commence.

If the project falls under the applicant’s responsibility per their lease agreement, the Property Owner Authorization Form is not required. For example, some leases may require the tenant to replace broken windows. In this case, proof of responsibility may be required in place of the Property Owner Authorization Form.

Do I need a City of Everett permit for my project? Some projects may require City of Everett permits. Storefront Improvement Grant applications will only be reimbursed if all required permits and approvals are in place, as applicable.

For example, a sign permit is required for all signage that is visible from the street; a right-of-way permit is required for new outdoor cafe seating on the sidewalk. If you have questions about whether a city permit is required for your project, please contact City of Everett permit services at 425-257-8810. Can I apply for more than one property?

Yes, a property owner can submit an application for more than one property located in Downtown Everett. We will consider all applications, but we intend to provide funding for as many different businesses and property owners as possible. Will another round of grant funding be offered later?

If any funding is unallocated, another round of grants may become available later in the year or next year. Businesses may apply more than once, but we will prioritize funding as many different projects, businesses, and locations as possible.

2025 Storefront Enhancement Projects: Alexander Printing Company – new custom exterior signage Brooklyn Brothers Pizzeria – new exterior painting Café Makario – updated façade, exterior painting, and new signage Frying Lemon Fish – outdoor café seating area with perimeter fencing Hillmann’s Bagels – painting, window decals, and hand-painted signs Las Fridas Everett – new illuminated storefront sign Marcel – new café seating and decorative planters Obsidian Beer Hall – new outdoor architectural lighting Pawsome Park and Lodge – new storefront entrance Revive Bowls and Smoothies – new lighted sign, front window, landscaping, and parking lot restoration Schack Art Center – active digital signage and a commemorative plaque for the front art installation Union Yoga – new custom window decals Waxology – new building signage Yoga Shala Everett – outdoor planters, and new lighting 2024 Storefront Enhancement Projects: 2923 Rucker Ave – new entrance doorway Apollo Exos Records – new exterior signage and awning Banya – new lighted exterior wall sign North Sound Tower – new blade signs Petrikor – new neon window sign; outdoor planters Sabajai Thai – outdoor dining Star Mini Mart – new awning and window signage The Everett Public Market Building – exterior paint The Loft Coffee Bar – new sign w/ lighting 2023 Storefront Enhancement Projects: Artisans – added decorative window decals Burkett’s – new exterior paint; replaced awning with new facade Cafe Uu – added new exterior sign MyMyToyStore – new exterior paint/mural; replaced front door Petrikor – refreshed coat of paint to join two storefronts Schack Art Center – added new lighted sign The Cakewalk Shop – added new exterior lights The Sisters Restaurant – added outdoor dining furniture Wick-Ed Wines – added outdoor planters and new lighting