Auburn Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program
City of Auburn Economic Development
Up to $30,500 (Category II graduated match); Category I projects up to $5,000 require no match
Downtown Auburn façade grant up to $30,500; projects $5,000 and under need no match; $100,000/year first-come, first-served.
An annual façade improvement grant for businesses and property owners in the Auburn Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA). The City Council approves $100,000 per year. Category I projects at or under $5,000 require no match; Category II projects use a graduated matching scale with a maximum City grant of $30,500. Grants are awarded first-come, first-served on a rolling basis.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $0 – $30,500
- Realistic amount
- $0–$5,000 no-match Category I or $0–$30,500 graduated-match Category II
- Deadline
- Rolling / first-come, first-served until the annual $100,000 allocation is exhausted
- Status
- active
- States
- WA
Who qualifies
- Commercial property owner or business lessee with written authorization from the property owner
- Must be located within the Auburn Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) and current on BIA dues
- Project must meet code requirements and current design standards
- No active site restrictions or current code violations
- Business must have 25 or fewer full-time employees
- Building must not be primarily residential, must not exceed 25,000 sq ft of ground-floor area, and must not be a government office/agency
- Cannot be a newly constructed building
Who is not eligible
- Businesses with more than 25 full-time employees
- Primarily residential buildings
- Buildings over 25,000 sq ft of ground-floor area
- Government offices and agencies (non-governmental tenants are eligible)
- Newly constructed buildings
- Properties with current code violations or unpaid BIA dues
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Exterior façade improvements visible from the public right-of-way
- Signage, awnings, and canopies
- Windows, doors, and entries
- Exterior lighting
- Painting, masonry, and architectural restoration
- Design and permit costs associated with the façade project
Ineligible expenses
- Interior improvements
- Work not visible from the public right-of-way
- Routine maintenance
- Costs incurred before application approval
How to apply
-
1
Review BIA boundaries and project category
Confirm the property is within the Auburn Downtown BIA and determine whether the project fits Category I (≤$5,000, no match) or Category II (graduated match, up to $30,500). Use the grant request calculator.
~1 hrs
-
2
Contact Economic Development
Email Auburn Economic Development at econdev@auburnwa.gov with the subject line, parcel number or address, and contact information to discuss the project and request application materials.
~0.5 hrs
-
3
Prepare application package
Complete the application, attach the checklist items, project plans, contractor quotes, proof of BIA dues, and property-owner authorization if a tenant.
~3 hrs
-
4
Submit and await review
Submit the package; applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.
~0.5 hrs
-
5
Complete improvements and receive reimbursement
After approval, complete the façade work and submit documentation for reimbursement according to the program guidelines.
~2 hrs
If your project is $5,000 or less, apply under Category I for a no-match grant—this is the fastest way to secure funding before the annual allocation runs out.
Deadline & timing
Applications may be submitted any time and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Funding may no longer be available later in the year.
Applications are open — don’t lose the window
GrantCompass tracks Auburn Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program’s application windows in the live catalog. Leave an email and we’ll warn you before this window closes — and tell you when the next round opens.
Free. One email when the window moves, deadline warnings on your watchlist, and the monthly closing-soon digest. Unsubscribe anytime.
Required documents
- Completed application form
- Application checklist items
- Parcel number or property address
- Proof of current BIA dues
- Property-owner written authorization (if tenant)
- Project plans or scope description
- Contractor quotes or estimates
- Grant request calculator output
- Before/after photos for reimbursement
Related programs
Also open right now
Alternatives computed from the live GrantCompass catalog on August 25, 2026 — all 183 open grant programs · filter the database.
Explore more funding
Last updated August 24, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.