Tenant Improvement Program
Updated 4/28/2025
We are excited to offer two types of award packages through our 2025 Tenant Improvement Program to support small businesses in Seattle. Our goal is to help businesses reduce financial challenges associated with signage and equipment. The sign and equipment award packages will cover the cost of replacing essential items or upgrading equipment to help businesses expand their services and boost revenue.
Please review the full eligibility requirements and details below before applying for a sign or equipment award package.
Information sessions
There will be information sessions to describe this funding opportunity and answer questions. The following virtual sessions will be hosted on Webex and will be recorded:
- Tue, May 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.: registration link.
Applications are due by Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Before submitting your application, be sure you have read the eligibility requirements and have all necessary documents ready.
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Your business qualifies for support if you meet all these requirements:
- It is a for-profit, independently owned business (not a franchise or chain).
- It provides a benefit to the community that you can demonstrate (e.g., creating jobs, supporting events, or donating meals).
- It has been operating for at least two years.
- You have at least three years of business or industry experience.
- Your business has an active City of Seattle Business License.
- You have filed City Business and Occupation taxes.
- You have paid all taxes in full or will do so within two months of being selected for the award.
Your business must also meet the following location and size requirements:
- Your business is located within Seattle city limits.
- You operate two (2) or fewer locations.
- Your business employs fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees.
- Your business has an annual gross revenue below $2 million.
Businesses NOT eligible to apply for the Tenant Improvement Program include:
- Businesses located in unincorporated King County
- “Adult entertainment” businesses regulated under Seattle Municipal Code 6.270
- 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(19) nonprofit entities
Signage package (cash award up to $15,000)
This cash award can help an existing business with the purchase of new external signs.
- This award must be used toward exterior signage for your commercial business.
- This award does not cover installation of signage.
- Awardees must prove ability to pay for labor and installation.
- Applicant must meet all rules about eligibility, location, and business size to be considered for this award.
- Business must be able to begin installation within three (3) months of signing the award contract.
Equipment package (cash award up to $50,000)
This cash award can help an existing business with equipment purchases.
- Equipment must be purchased from a commercial equipment supplier.
- Applicant must meet all rules about eligibility, location, and business size to be considered for this award.
- Business must be able to begin installation within three (3) months of signing the award contract.
Applications are due on Tueday, May 27, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Send your application through the online portal. Applications sent after the deadline will not be considered.
Important dates
- Monday, April 28, 2025: Applications for Tenant Improvement Program application portal opens.
- Tuesday, May 27, 2025: Application for the Tenant Improvement Program close at 5 p.m.
- July 2025: Selected applicants will be notified and may need to provide additional information.
Support in other languages is available
Bilingual staff can answer questions and help applicants complete their applications in the following languages: Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
To request translation or interpretation services, call (206) 684-8090 and leave the following information in a voicemail:
- Name
- Phone number
- Preferred language
- The type of language access support needed (form translation, telephone translation, etc.)
For in-person help completing the 2025 Tenant Improvement Program application in your language, please contact our partners at Lake City Collective.
- Lake City Collective Center: 13525 32nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment. Please call (206) 701-1470.
Selection criteria and review process
Our office, along with our partners at Grow America will review and score applications based on how they impact the community, project readiness, and likely completion of the project.
We score applications and prioritize awards based on these factors:
- Equity: We will prioritize projects serving high displacement risk neighborhoods and/or projects that support businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or women.
- Viability: We will look at how strong and sustainable the business is by looking at gross sales, income, and business owner’s experience.
- Project readiness: We will check if the project is ready by reviewing the physical space, project details, budget, and commitment from other funding sources.
- Impact: We will consider projects or business owners that provide benefits to the community and make a positive difference.
Finalists will be assessed for viability of their business including a required site visit and interview to determine the feasibility and financial need of each project. After these steps have been completed, awards will be announced.
After projects are awarded support, businesses must provide the following to remain eligible for funding:
- A signed lease from landlord with five (5) years left or equivalent such as: three (3) years left on lease with a two-year or more guaranteed extension.
- Begin installation within three (3) months of signing the award contract.
Please review the following materials to prepare before submitting your application.
Required information
The following documentation must be submitted with your application:
- Unified Business Identifier number
- Businesses receive a 9-digit UBI number when they apply for their Washington State Business License. This can be done through the Department of Revenue online or by mail.
- You can also search for an existing UBI number online.
- City Business License number
- Anyone doing business in Seattle must have a 6-digit Seattle Business License tax certificate (also known as a City Business License number), a City Customer number, or a general business license. Business owners must renew this certificate each year by December 31.
- This City Business License number is separate from the Washington state business license. If you cannot find your number with the City Business License Find a Business search tool, you may only have a Washington state license.
- Businesses can apply for a City Business License and renew online or by mail.
- Business and Occupation tax filing
- Small businesses interested in applying for the Tenant Improvement Program will need to comply with City Business License and Business and Occupation tax requirements to be eligible for this fund.
- Every business must file and report to the City even if there was no activity or you do not owe any tax. The Seattle business tax is not the same as the Washington state business tax. Businesses must file Seattle taxes separately from state taxes. Businesses can file and report online or by mail. For additional questions about these taxes, businesses can reach out to Seattle Finance at tax@seattle.gov.
- Businesses do not owe general Business and Occupation tax if their annual taxable gross revenue is less than $100,000, but businesses still need to file.
- Small businesses interested in applying for the Tenant Improvement Program will need to comply with City Business License and Business and Occupation tax requirements to be eligible for this fund.
- 2023 and 2024 federal tax information
- If you have not completed your 2024 taxes, please submit an internal financial statement.
- Signed lease with five (5) years left or equivalent options to renew.
- Commercial quotes from equipment/sign suppliers.
- Detailed itemized budget spending your proposed award amount.
- Statement describing public benefit to the community to meet their award amount. This could include jobs created, community events supported, or meals donated for example.
- Tenant Improvement Program grants are awarded as a forgivable loan with 0% interest. The loan will convert to a grant after the business has continued operations for a one (1) year period commencing with the last draw request payment and when they meet their public benefit requirement.
- The Tenant Improvement Program award will not cover the full costs of the project. The small business awardee will be required to cover the signage and equipment installation cost of their project.
- Awards must be contracted within two months of the award announcement and award must be fully expended 12 months after the contract is signed.
What if I own multiple businesses or locations?
If you own multiple businesses or have no more than two (2) locations, you can only apply for one (1) funding award for one business or location.
Does a mobile food business/cart count as one location?
Having cart/mobile businesses, in addition to having one brick and mortar location, will not count towards the requirement of no more than two (2) locations as it is not a leased commercial space.
What should I include in my funding request?
Include the full list of commercial equipment that meets application criteria, up to a maximum request of $50,000. We will not be able to add to your budget after selection, so please take your time, collect real prices, and request all that you really need for your business.
What can I use the funding for?
You can use your funding to purchase commercial equipment from an authorized merchant or fabrication of exterior signs.
Can I submit my own estimate on how much my equipment will cost?
No. You are required to get actual quotes from suppliers/sign makers to submit with their application.
Can the Tenant Improvement Award fund a home-based business located at my residence?
No. City funding may only be awarded to businesses located inside a commercial space building.
How many award packages can I apply for at one time?
You can only apply for one (1) award at a time during each application round. You can also apply for another award during the next application.
What are the requirements for cash awards that I need to be aware of?
All cash award packages are given as loans with 0% interest. These loans are forgivable and do not have to be paid back if the terms of the contract are met. They are funded through the Payroll Expense Tax, which is a type of tax that businesses pay based on their employee payroll. This funding source has rules that need to be followed in order to be forgiven. One of the requirements is the “prevailing wage” which means workers must be paid a fair and standard wage where they work. They must also be a “public benefit,” which means the project needs to bring positive impact to the community. Our staff will assist you in creating a plan for fulfilling these requirements.
What is the timeline for the Tenant Improvement Program selection process?
We will have an application round in 2025. After the four-week application period closes, in collaboration with our partners, we will begin reviewing applications and select awardees. We hope to notify applicants of their status starting July 2025.
What information will I need to apply?
See main page for detailed package information.
How should I answer the applications narrative questions?
Please include as much detail as possible. This is a chance for you to tell your story as a business owner and how you support the neighborhood around you. Please be specific and tell us about what you already do for your neighbors, and not what you plan to do. Examples include offering sliding-scale services, senior discounts, or participating in the local business association. Maybe you offer your space for free or at a discounted rate to community groups, or intentionally hire young people in your neighborhood. These are great examples of what type of information to include.
What if I need help with the application?
For general questions about the application, please email oed_tiprogram@seattle.gov or call us at (206) 684-8090.
For general questions about the application, please email oed_tiprogram@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-8090.
Our office is dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive economy that works for everyone in Seattle by ensuring all communities have access to economic opportunities.
The City of Seattle encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities. If you need help, translation, disability accommodations, or materials in a different format, contact our office at (206) 684-8090 or at OED@seattle.gov.