A new sign, fresh paint or better lighting can bring in more customers. It can also cost more than a small business wants to spend. Many cities, downtown groups and redevelopment agencies run façade or storefront improvement grants that pay part of the bill.
How they usually work
Matching: the city pays a share, often 50% to 75%, and you pay the rest.
Reimbursement: you usually pay first and get the grant back after the work is done and inspected.
Exterior only: signs, awnings, paint, windows, doors, lighting and entrances. Interior work is usually not covered.
Location rules: many programs cover only a downtown, a main street or a redevelopment area.
Approval first: start work before you're approved, and you may not get paid.
Three real examples
Albany, New York. The city's Small Business Facade Improvement Program offers matching grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses and nonprofits citywide. It covers signs, lighting, windows, awnings, storefronts, doors, brickwork, painting and accessibility upgrades, but not interiors, parking lots or sidewalks. Round eight closed October 22, 2026, so watch for the next round.
Mountain View, California. In March 2026 the city raised its share to 75% of project costs, with a cap of $15,000, plus up to $2,500 for design services. It also opened the program to any street-facing commercial space, including offices and nonprofits.
Gresham, Oregon. The Rockwood Storefront Improvement Grant covers up to 50% of costs, up to $10,000, for businesses and commercial property owners in the Rockwood-West Gresham urban renewal area. It covers lighting, painting, landscaping, signs and window replacement.
A worked example
Example only; check your city's rules. Say a storefront project costs $24,000. Under a 75% match with a $15,000 cap, 75% would be $18,000, so the grant stops at $15,000 and you pay $9,000. Under a 50% match with a $10,000 cap, half would be $12,000, so the grant stops at $10,000 and you pay $14,000. Read the cap as well as the percentage.
How to find one near you
Search "[your city] façade grant" and "[your city] storefront improvement program."
Call your city's economic development office, your downtown or Main Street organization, and your local chamber of commerce.
If you rent, ask your landlord. Many programs need the property owner's sign-off, and some accept applications from owners only.
Get contractor quotes early. Most applications ask for them, and rounds often close within a few weeks.
Sources
Capitalize Albany: Eighth Round City of Albany Small Business Facade Improvement Program (posted September 8, 2026; checked November 14, 2026)
Mountain View Voice: Mountain View expands grants for small business improvements (March 20, 2026; checked November 14, 2026)
City of Gresham: Rockwood Storefront Improvement Grant (February 7, 2026; checked November 14, 2026)
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