Historic Cemetery Preservation Capital Grant Program

The Historic Cemetery Preservation Capital Grant Program is administered by the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation in partnership with the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and the Historic Cemetery Advisory Committee. Established through House Bill 2637 in 2016, the program is designed to preserve historically significant cemeteries across Washington State. Its primary goals are to protect cultural heritage resources, ensure cemeteries continue serving their communities, and honor military veterans interred within them. The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation advocacy, manages the grant program under contract with the state agency. This capital grant program provides financial support for projects that deliver long-term improvements to historic cemetery sites. Funding is available for activities such as restoration and preservation of monuments and landscape features, installation of protective infrastructure like fencing or lighting, and development of interpretive displays that enhance public understanding of the site. Projects must qualify as capital improvements and are expected to preserve the historic character and functionality of the cemetery. Funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis, meaning grantees must incur and document expenses before receiving payment. Eligibility for the program is limited to cemeteries located within Washington State that contain at least five burials, including one burial that is more than 50 years old. Applicants may include cemetery property owners, nonprofit organizations, and local governments. Private property owners are eligible if they secure a nonprofit or local government fiscal sponsor or agree to provide public access through a ten-year easement. The program requires that funded sites remain accessible to the public under reasonable conditions and that recipients maintain the cemetery for a minimum of ten years following the award. The maximum award for the current biennium is 50000 dollars per project, with approximately 500000 dollars available in total funding. Applicants may request any amount up to this ceiling, and no matching funds are required. However, all funded labor must be performed by qualified contractors, and cost estimates must be included in the application. Projects must begin within one year of the award and be completed by June 30, 2027. Funds cannot be used for expenses incurred prior to the execution of the grant contract. The application process requires submission through an online form, which must be completed in a single session. Applicants are advised to prepare all required materials in advance, including a detailed project proposal, budget worksheet, contractor estimates, and photographic documentation of site conditions. The application includes sections covering property information, ownership, applicant qualifications, cemetery significance, project scope, public benefit, and required attachments. Incomplete applications or missing documentation may result in lower evaluation scores. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including the historic significance of the cemetery, the proportion of military burials, the urgency and long-term impact of the proposed project, public accessibility, and evidence of community or volunteer support. Following submission, applications are reviewed by the Historic Cemetery Advisory Committee, which makes funding recommendations to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for final approval. Applicants are notified of award decisions in February 2026, and contracts are issued in March 2026. The application deadline for the current cycle was extended to December 28, 2025. The program operates on a biennial cycle and is expected to recur, though exact future dates are not specified. Applicants seeking assistance may contact the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation via email at grants@preservewa.org or by phone at 206 462 2999. Additional guidance, including application procedures and requirements, is provided in the official guidelines document.

Prepare all materials in advance and organize files before starting the application; ensure strong documentation of project urgency and historic significance; include clear contractor estimates and detailed scope of work