Old Town Lafayette is special because ideas do not stay ideas here for long.
- A performance becomes a gathering.
- A mural becomes a landmark.
- A small fix keeps a business open.
- A creative leap finds an audience.
Our downtown is supported through new grant programs designed to help people in Old Town move ideas forward. The Lafayette DDA offers two grant programs that make it easier for small businesses, property owners, artists, and creatives to keep doing what they do best. One grant fuels creativity, culture, and community connection. The other grant focuses on lasting physical improvements.
Creativity and Culture Microgrant Program (CCM Program)
Supporting the projects that bring people together in Old Town
The Creativity and Culture Microgrant exists to support the ideas that shape the Old Town spirit when you are here. It helps artists, small businesses, nonprofits, and community groups turn creative concepts into public experiences that activate downtown spaces and invite people to participate. These projects are often temporary, but their impact lasts. They create moments of connection, expression, and shared memories that contribute to Old Town’s identity as a place where creativity is visible and valued.
Eligible projects include:
- Public art installations, murals, and performances
- Festivals, workshops, and cultural events
- Community-based creative programming in downtown spaces
- Projects that reflect and celebrate Lafayette’s cultural identity and diversity
Projects must take place within the Downtown Development Authority boundary and be accessible to the public. The focus is on community benefit, cultural impact, and downtown activation.
How the Funding Works:
- Grant amounts range from $500 to $2,500
- No matching funds are required
- Funds are distributed within 30 days of award
- Projects must be completed within 12 months
- A short final impact report is required after completion
Important Dates:
- Applications close: February 14, 2026
- Applicants notified: Week of March 24, 2026
- Project period: April 2026 through March 2027
This program is intentionally accessible. It is designed to encourage ideas that might otherwise stay on paper and to support creative efforts that add texture, energy, and connection to the district.
Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG Program)
Supporting the spaces that make creativity and commerce possible
The Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG) supports the places where experiences happen. Many DIG projects start with a simple question: does this improvement serve the community as well as the business? When the answer is yes, the grant is designed to help. DIG supports commercial property owners and businesses investing in long-term, capital improvements that keep Old Town functional, accessible, and resilient. These projects often work behind the scenes. They improve safety, accessibility, and functionality so businesses can continue serving the community and contributing to downtown life.
Eligible projects include:
- Building façade and exterior improvements
- ADA accessibility upgrades
- Energy efficiency improvements such as windows, doors, roofing, and HVAC
- Life safety and code-compliance upgrades
- Interior capital improvements that support ongoing business operations
- Streetscape improvements including patios and bike racks
- Professional services tied directly to eligible capital improvements
Projects must result in lasting improvements. Routine maintenance, temporary upgrades, or work completed prior to approval are not eligible.
How the Funding Works:
- Matching reimbursement of up to 50 percent of eligible project costs
- Maximum award of $25,000 per project
- Funds are reimbursed after project completion, inspection, and documentation
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to available funding
The DIG program also includes a Microgrant Track for small businesses facing urgent needs related to code compliance, accessibility, or life safety:
- No matching funds required
- Awards up to $5,000, or up to $15,000 in verified hardship cases
- Designed to support essential improvements that affect daily operations
How the DIG Grant Shows Up in Real Life
When the Holidays Hit (But the Heat Didn’t)
When a furnace failed just days before Christmas at one of his Old Town properties, longtime local business owner Kurt Munding needed a solution that was both fast and practical. He submitted a DIG application with existing estimates, received approval quickly, and had the furnace installed within days. Half of the cost was reimbursed through the grant. For Kurt, the value of the DIG program was its clarity and responsiveness. The grant supported an essential improvement that kept tenants operating and the building functional during a critical time of year. The process worked because it was designed for real situations faced by real businesses.
Creating Space for More People to Gather
When Jordan Lewis of Foxglove looked around his establishment, he saw people who wanted to come together and stay longer, but nowhere to put them. He envisioned a plan to enclose part of the patio and add heaters, creating more room for people to gather year-round. For a cozy bar with about 35 seats inside, the project meant nearly a 40 percent increase in capacity. After a quick conversation with the DDA, Jordan pulled together existing estimates, submitted a straightforward application, and received approval soon after. The DIG Grant covered half of the project cost, making it possible to move forward without putting unnecessary strain on the business. Today, the enclosed patio is one of Foxglove’s most popular spots. It gives people space to settle in and spread out. For Jordan, the grant supported the kind of experience Old Town residents were asking for.
Several Old Town businesses shared that a short email or conversation with DDA contacts was often the first step toward understanding whether a project was a good fit.
Choosing the Right Grant
You may be a good fit for the Creativity and Culture Microgrant if your project involves:
- Art, performances, or cultural programming
- Events or experiences designed for community engagement
- Creative activation of downtown spaces
You may be a good fit for the Downtown Improvement Grant if you are a property owner or business owner and your project involves:
- Building or interior improvements
- Accessibility, safety, or infrastructure upgrades
- Long-term investments in a commercial space
- Projects that expand capacity or improve how people gather and spend time downtown
Both programs are designed to support the people who are actively shaping Old Town Lafayette.