4Culture: Landmarks Capital Grants

The 4Culture Landmarks Capital Grants program supports the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes in King County. By funding projects that enhance community visibility, accessibility, and economic impact, this program fosters a stronger regional identity. Eligible applicants include individuals, businesses, and local governments owning designated historic properties. Grants of up to $30,000 can be used for restoration efforts, emphasizing sustainable practices and public benefit. Projects addressing urgent preservation needs are prioritized, particularly from historically marginalized communities.

NOTE: If this is your first time applying for Landmarks Capital, we recommend making an individual phone appointment with the program manager to discuss your project.
The entire community benefits when we make our historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes a priority. Large and small, urban and rural—the Landmarks Capital program supports the bricks-and-mortar projects that contribute to our region’s identity.
Criteria
We fund all of our grants through a competitive process, carefully evaluating each application.
For this particular grant, we’ll look to see how well your project shows the following:
Quality: You have a long-term, sustainable plan for the landmark, and your project follows good preservation principles, as outlined in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.Public Benefit: Your project will benefit the citizens of King County through the property’s visibility, accessibility, public programming, or economic impact; will contribute to the diversity of property types and histories represented in King County’s built environment; or will aid in the long-term preservation and use of the landmark.Feasibility: You’re ready to begin the project within a year, with a qualified team, realistic budget, and credible cost estimates from experienced contractors, and you are able to complete the project on a reimbursement basis.Urgency: Your project will prevent further damage or disrepair to the property or will address critical life safety issues. The project is time sensitive and cannot wait.Additional priorities: Your project is not eligible for other 4Culture funding programs. We’ll prioritize applications from under-represented geographic areas or historically marginalized communities if the above criteria are met.
Public Benefit: Why It Matters
Every time a visitor to Washington State stays in a hotel, they pay a Lodging Tax—this is where our funding comes from, and our mission is to put it back into the community. As you work through your application, tell us exactly how your project will benefit your fellow King County residents and visitors. Here are some ways historic preservation projects may benefit the public:
The landmark property has high visibility in the community, is accessible to the public, or is a part of historical programs or tours.Investment in your landmark property will help promote economic activity in the neighborhood or have other positive impacts in your community.Your project will contribute to the diversity of property types and histories represented in King County’s built environment.Your project will contribute to the long-term viability and use of the landmark property.

Eligibility

YouWe accept applications from individuals, businesses, organizations, and local governments that are either the owner or long-term leaseholder of a historic property in King County.Your property must be designated as an official landmark at the city or county level, or a historic building within a locally designated historic district. Properties listed in the National Register of Historic Place are eligible only in jurisdictions without a local historic preservation ordinance. Please contact 4Culture staff if you have questions about the eligibility of your property.Your ProjectYou may request up to $30,000. Matching funds are not required, but can help to demonstrate additional support.Your project can include materials, labor, permits, and fees, as well as architectural design and engineering directly related to construction costs. Project management costs may be up to 15% of the award amount.Your project should focus on the stabilization or restoration of historic building fabric, repair or replacement of essential building systems, or the restoration of historically significant landscapes.Landmarks Capital funds may not be used for property acquisition, new additions, major equipment purchases, planning and pre-development studies, general operating support, overhead costs, employee benefits, or any regular staff salaries.

Ineligibility

This grant is not available to K-12 schools or school districts.