The Downtown Bellingham Partnership, with funding courtesy of BECU, introduces TWO community revitalization grants for businesses and event planners in 2024!

Learn more and apply for the revamped Storefront Improvement Grant and the new Community Activation Zone Grant to uplift our community.

• Storefront Improvement Grant

  • Storefront Improvement Grants offer up to $2,000 for enhancements like paint and signage to street-visible locations, with no matching funds required for 2024!

• Community Activation Zone Grant

  • The Community Activation Zone Grant encourages events on the 1300 block of Commercial Street and the Commercial Street Plaza with grants of $500 to $1,000 to program activities like silent discos, block parties, artistic performances, and more from May to October. Let's revitalize Downtown Bellingham together!

Downtown Bellingham
Storefront Improvement Grant

Application timeline:

• Open Monday, April 22nd

• Close Monday, May 20th

• Recipients notified by end of May

• Projects must be completed by October 31st, 2024

The Storefront Improvement Grant, managed by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) and funded by BECU, annually enhances the downtown economy by revitalizing street-level building façades to attract customers to downtown businesses. In 2024, the DBP is empowered to award up to $10,000 total for this program. As part of a comprehensive plan to stimulate economic development and historic preservation, the DBP provides design assistance and remodeling incentives to small businesses.

ABOUT THE GRANT:

The goal of the Storefront Improvement Grant is to help businesses achieve their vision for the front of their space. It is a competitive grant program to assist Downtown businesses and property owners with making improvements to their building facades, signage, and/or surroundings. Improvements can be to the exterior façade of the business, or to the interior that is closest to the window such as track lighting and signage.

This grant will fund or contribute to projects at a maximum of $2,000 for a single property. Projects are for work done to the exterior of the site only; interior work or projects are not eligible. Projects that will be mostly or fully funded by the grant will be prioritized. Selection is based on feasibility and positive impact.

The following factors are considered in evaluating impact: 

• Current condition of the building/façade 

• Impact on street design and neighboring businesses

• Creative value of the project 

• Community need/demand for change

The selected business will receive two benefits:

1. A one-hour consultation upon request with members of the Downtown Bellingham Partnership Design Committee to assess needs and provide potential design improvements;

2. Funding for project costs, up to $2,000 per business. These funds cannot be used for installation labor or staff time.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Eligible applicants must be physically located within the Downtown Bellingham neighborhood. Awards shall be based on creativity, visual impact, degree of change between before and after, and level of contribution to neighboring properties and downtown revitalization.

Exclusions:

• National franchises

• Professional offices

• Residential space

• Government occupied spaces

• Churches and other religious institutions 

• Projects already underway
  

Eligible improvements include:

• Signage on windows/doors, or hanging from awning

• Façade improvements

• Windows and doors

• Lighting

• Paint

• Landscaping, plants and containers

• Tile or other decorative material

• Creative and imaginative exterior elements
  
  

2024 applications are open now:

2024 Community Activation Grant

Applications open now!

Grant Program Details:

The 2024 Community Activation Grant Program is made possible by funding from BECU and the DBP’s Main Street donors. The goal of the program is to provide engaging community activities and experiences for residents, visitors, and businesses on the 1300 block of Commercial Street in Downtown Bellingham throughout the summer. The program will provide $9,000 total in micro grants to businesses, organizations, and event organizers seeking to activate the Commercial Street Plaza or close the whole block for a special event anytime from May – October 2024. Activations can include musical performances, DJs, workshops, fashion shows, temporary installations, block parties, or other creative experiences. This is just the beginning - all ideas welcome!

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and event organizers are encouraged to apply early for a better chance at receiving funding. Applications will be vetted by members of DBP's board and staff using the following criteria to grade the applications:

• Impact on Activation Site - How impactful is the activation to not only the applicant, but nearby businesses?

• Involvement of Nearby Business - Is the activation a value-add to the nearby businesses and/or a broader community celebration?

• Feasibility of Execution - How prepared is the submitter to execute the event?

• Accessibility & Inclusivity - Activations centering historically marginalized communities will be prioritized.

The Space:

Commercial Street Plaza is a public pedestrian area next to the Commercial Street Parking Garage. There is ample power available and access to public restrooms. The Plaza has been used for small vendor markets (~10 vendors max), dining and drinking pop-ups, outdoor dances, and so much more. It’s a great space for a smaller scale event.

The 1300 block of Commercial Street is a great (and easy) block to close for special events. The Commercial Street Night Markets tested the waters for all the fun that can be done, and the Commercial Street Block Parties and Wonderz Market actively use the block throughout the year. Power is available as are the public restrooms in the Plaza. DBP will provide a kit of resources needed to close the block, in addition to sharing a series of reduced rates for closing the block through our partner, Northwest Safety Signs. Please contact nathalie@downtownbellingham.com to request the rate sheet in advance of applying for your budget planning.

The rooftop of the Commercial Street Parking Garage is available to be reserved for special events through the City of Bellingham’s Special Event Permits. Events located on the rooftop are eligible for funding through this grant.

Grant Award:

Grants of $500 or $1,000 will be awarded monthly to eligible applicants from May - October 2024. Funding will be awarded based on above criteria. Recurring events can only be awarded once per season. Applicants will receive grant payments directly and must provide all necessary information to process payments, including a W-9.

Requirements:

To be eligible to receive a 2024 Community Activation micro grant, applicants must agree to the following:

1. Produce and promote a space activation(s) on the 1300 block of Commercial Street in June, July, August, September, and/or October of 2024.

2. Create an event description and share with the DBP within 30 days of receiving the micro grant. Event descriptions are required to identify if an activation is recurring.

3. Send finalized event details at least 10 days in advance to have be listed on DBP’s website.

4. Share photos and/or videos of the event with DBP afterwards, and tag on social media if posting.

Application timeline

• Opens Monday, April 22nd

• Applications will be accepted periodically until funds are depleted. Apply early!

2023 Awardees:

We are happy to announce the full roster of Summer Activation Grant awardees for 2023! Through this program, we were able to reduce or eliminate expenses for community events all summer long courtesy of funding from BECU.

• Pride in Bellingham, July 8-9

• Commercial Street Block Parties, third Thursdays June - August

• Disability Festival, July 23

• Caffe Adagio Sidewalk Live Music Series, Saturday Afternoons

• Bar Cicotti Jazz Nights, Wednesdays in August

• Make.Shift Art Space Alley Concerts, August 13 and September 2

• Culture Cafe’s Aloha Fridays, (more details coming soon)

• Bayou on Bay’s New Orlean’s style band and street dance, August 26 and September 2

• Translucent Productions Silent Disco, August 17

• PNW Waffle Fest, August 26