Program Overview
The Coastal Preservation & Adaptation for Rural Communities (CPARC) Program is a new grant program that supports historic buildings and districts in rural communities looking to conduct renovations to combat coastal flooding.
With funding provided through the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program, the CPARC Program will award grants through a competitive process to projects looking to conduct major building renovations or adaptations in response to coastal flooding. The total funding available for this one-time grant opportunity is approximately $650,000. The maximum grant award will be $150,000.
To be considered for funding, projects must center on properties that are:
- Deemed eligible for or are currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places or applicable Tribal Register, either individually or as contributing to an historic district;
- Located in rural coastal Washington State communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer; and
- Able to complete proposed renovations/adaptations within the next two years, using technical strategies recommended by the National Park Service in its 2021 “Guidelines on Flood Adaptation for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.”
Applicants may include private property owners, nonprofits, Tribal governments, and local governments.
CPARC Grant Application
The application deadline for the CPARC Program is Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
Grant Application Assistance
Do you have questions about your grant project or application? We can help! Email us at , or register for an upcoming virtual informational session:
- Info session #1 – January 5, 5:30 pm: Register Here
- Info session #2 – January 14, 12:00 pm: Register Here
Historic Preservation & Coastal Flooding Educational Webinar Series
The Washington Trust offered a complementary series of virtual educational workshops in the summer and fall of 2025 to promote the grant opportunity and to provide guidance about the National Park Service’s Guidelines on Flood Adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I figure out how high flood water is likely to be and on which parts of my property?
We held an informational webinar on this topic with guidance and resources. You can watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/TgxKvS_Sh_w?si=qHow9XOZbTPRMZ4Z.
What do you mean by coastal flooding? What if I am near the coast but being flooded by a river?
This grant is intended to address flooding from the Salish Sea, including Puget Sound, and the Pacific ocean. It is not intended to address flooding by rivers or other bodies of water.
What counties/geographies are eligible?
Rural coastal areas of Washington State are eligible. Eligible rural places have populations under 50,000 people as defined by the 2020 U.S. Census. This definition of rural follows the basic eligibility requirements used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Rural Business Programs. Search here to find qualifying rural areas: https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=irp.
How do I know which specialists or professionals I might need to hire or work with?
We held an informational webinar on this topic with guidance. You can watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/dqoMm0O4q-E?si=8oqz-nWbG3kBtubp.
How do I know which permits I might need?
Because the funding for this program came from the National Park Service, they will take the lead on Section 106 consultation and review for grantees. Other regulations and permits that may be required will depend on each property and project. But, we hosted a webinar with some guidance and resources that might prove helpful. You can watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/0deYScNrYp4?si=-mHXmZlglaEY0Gwd.
I know my property is at risk, but I’m not sure what to do to protect it from flood damage without hurting the historic character—what should I do?
Each grant applicant has to develop their own strategy, but the National Park Service has developed some very helpful guidance. We recommend reviewing their Guidelines on Flood Adaptation for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/upload/flood-adaptation-guidelines-2021.pdf), and you might also benefit from an informational webinar we hosted with one of the document authors. You can watch that recording here: https://youtu.be/vGzTsyAlzBY?si=AuTx5hFJlACtnvSF.
When do projects need to be completed?
You need to be finished with work, have paid out your qualifying grant expenses, and be preparing to request reimbursement before the end of your contract period (September 30, 2027).
How far along in the project do I need to be to apply?
We recommend you have a clear idea of your project (scope, materials, and methods to be used), any preliminary design work needed, a sense of your required permits or permissions, and the required estimates or bids. You should be ready to get started once under contract without much delay.
How severe does the risk need to be?
If you can make a clear argument for risk, then we recommend that you apply. Urgency is one of the factors that will be considered by the review committee that recommends projects for grants but will be weighed across other factors like readiness and completeness of the application. If you meet all other criteria and feel you have a strong project to apply for, you should apply!
Do you cover moving a building?
We can’t offer funding for any work that would make a building or property ineligible for National Register listing, including alterations that would impact its integrity. We will not be able to fund demolition, relocation, or any incompatible alterations.
What is the ‘match’, and what sources can count toward the required match?
Match is your contribution to the grant project, sometimes also referred to as cost-sharing. This grant program leverages public funds to help support projects, but it doesn’t cover the total cost. Match helps to cover the rest. Sources of your match might be financial or through in-kind contributions like volunteer labor or equipment donation.
Do we need to have a permit?
You will need to comply with all local, state, and federal laws, including obtaining any required permits.
What does it mean that this is a reimbursement grant? Do we need to spend the money first?
- Yes, you need to incur costs and pay for project expenses first. You can then apply to be reimbursed for these expenses, up to the amount of your grant award. Keep in mind that the required ‘matching dollars’ and any in-kind donations are the first expenses to be counted for reimbursement purposes. So for example, if you had a total project cost of $100,000 and your grant is $75,000 with a match of $25,000, you would need to spend the full project cost of $100,000 in order to be reimbursed with the full grant award of $75,000. Progress payments are allowed, but the requirement that the ‘match’ be the first expenses counted remains in place. As such, if you completed half of the project and spent $50,000, you would be eligible to be reimbursed $37,500, with $12,500 counting as the required match.
- Please keep in mind that the value of any in-kind/donated services is only eligible to count toward the required match. Grant funds are not eligible to reimburse donated services—grant funds can only be used to reimburse actual cash expenses.