The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is pleased to offer the Maritime Washington Grant Program.
Donor Name: Maritime Washington National Heritage Area
State: Washington
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/24/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Since time immemorial, people have settled along the saltwater shores of what is today Washington State, supported by the rich maritime resources for food, shelter, inspiration, trade, and transportation. Today, Washington’s shores continue to serve as home to many vibrant maritime cultures. To support those who celebrate, maintain, and share the state’s water-based stories and resources, the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is pleased to offer the Maritime Washington Grant Program.
In the 2026 cycle, the Maritime Washington Grant Program will support projects and programs that interpret the state’s maritime heritage.
- Interpretation: To borrow a definition from Washington State Parks, interpretation is “a communication process that provides opportunities for visitors to connect emotionally and intellectually with the world around them in meaningful ways.” This can include everything from exhibits and signage, to walking tours and educational programs, to webpages and podcasts—as well as all the work that goes into planning for these activities.
- Maritime heritage: They define “maritime heritage” broadly as the history and connection that people have with the marine environment. It includes tangible and intangible resources and encompasses cultural, historical, and natural resources.
The goal of this year’s grant round is to fund work that shares stories from, increases visibility of, and encourages public engagement with Washington’s maritime heritage—past, present, and future. If your organization has a project that helps connect the public with the water-based places and stories through interpretation, they encourage you to learn more and apply!
Funding Information
- Maximum Grant Request: $15,000
- Total Grantable Dollars Available: $100,000.
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects should strengthen, maintain, and/or share maritime heritage in Washington and must support at least one of Maritime Washington’s goals:
- Build a network of cross-sector partners dedicated to advancing and honoring Washington’s maritime cultures.
- Provide support and resources for communities and Tribes working to enhance and share maritime heritage.
- Share diverse stories and increase visibility of Washington’s maritime heritage, past and present.
- Encourage sustainable experiences of maritime heritage for residents and visitors alike.
- Preserve the region’s unique maritime identity, resources, and lifeways.
Eligibility Criteria
All applicants must be located within one of the 13 counties within the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area: San Juan, Whatcom, Skagit, Island, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, Jefferson, Clallam, or Grays Harbor. A note for potential King County applicants: Lake Union is included within the National Heritage Area boundaries, but Lake Washington is not.
Eligible organizations include:
- Tribal governments
- Nonprofit organizations
- Educational institutions
- City, port, county, or state governments and agencies
- Chambers of Commerce
- Main Street organizations
- National Park units within the National Heritage Area (please note that matching funds must come from non-federal sources)
- Community groups with confirmed fiscal sponsorship
- For-profit organizations explicitly connected to maritime heritage or history.
For more information, visit Maritime Washington National Heritage Area.
