Phase 1 Application Opens: February 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. 
Phase 1 Application Closes: March 17, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. 

The application deadline was extended from March 10 to March 17 due to inclement weather and related power outages and internet access issues for the Austin area.

 

The Austin City Council established the $15 million Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund through Ordinance No. 20201001-052 to support local industries. Through the SAVES Fund, Austin City Council adopted the final guidelines for the $5 million Austin Legacy Business Relief Grant via Resolution No. 20201203-012.

 

The Austin Legacy Business Relief Grant will be distributed in two phases:  

Phase 1: Emergency Funding 
  • Eligible applicants will receive a $20,000 grant, which PeopleFund will distribute in March 2021. Should program demand exceed available funding in the first phase, a scoring matrix will be used to select program participants. 
  • Phase 1 participants will be required to complete a Technical Assistance Evaluation and will have access to a series of business coaching and one-on-one technical assistance related to sustaining and growing their business.
Phase 2: Enhanced Funding 
  • Only Phase 1 grant recipients are eligible to apply for additional grant funding in Phase 2.  
  • Eligible applicants can apply for up to $140,000 (this does not include funds received from the first phase). Should program demand exceed available funding for Phase 2, award determinations will be made based on outcomes of a scoring matrix and technical assistance evaluation.  
  • Phase 1 grant recipients must complete required technical assistance before applying for Phase 2.  
  • The funding amount will be determined based on documented operational costs and eligible expenses. Phase 2 funding will be distributed in monthly payments with a maximum of $40,000 per month. 

Apply for the Austin Legacy Business Relief Grant - Phase 1: Emergency Funding

Solicite para la fase 1 de fondos de emergencia de la Subvención de Ayuda para Negocios de Legado de Austin 

오스틴 레거시 사업 구제 보조금 신청 - 1단계: 긴급 자금

 申请Austin传统企业救济资金 -阶段1：紧急资金

申請Austin傳統企業救濟資金階段1：緊急資金

Nộp Đơn Trợ Cấp Cứu Trợ Doanh Nghiệp Di Sản Austin - Giai Đoạn 1: Ngân Quỹ Khẩn Cấp

تقدم بطلب للحصول على منحة أوستن لإغاثة الأعمال Legacy Business Relief - المرحلة 1: التمويل في حالات الطوارئ  

 

For Technical Support and Application Assistance 

As part of a partnership with the City of Austin, PeopleFund will provide application assistance, process applications, and administer funds.

Email PeopleFund: legacybusinessrelief@peoplefund.org
Call PeopleFund: 512-222-1009

 

For Application Assistance 

As part of a partnership with the City of Austin, Business Community Lenders of Texas (BCL) will provide application assistance. 

Email BCL of Texas: legacybusiness@bcloftexas.org
Call BCL of Texas: 512-298-1806

 

 

Phase 1: Informational Webinars

The Austin Legacy Business Relief Grant informational webinars on February 22 were postponed to March 1 due to inclement weather and related power outages and internet access issues for the Austin area.

Phase 1: Eligible Applicants

Phase 1 Applicants must meet all the following criteria to be eligible for this grant program:  

  • Applicants business must meets the definition of a Legacy Business, as defined below:  
    • Legacy Business: A business that has operated from a publicly-facing physical (brick and mortar) business for at least 20 years in an area that is currently within a City of Austin Council District. The Legacy Business may have changed locations during its twenty (20) years but must have been located and/or headquartered in an area that is currently in a City of Austin Council District during all twenty (20) years.
  • Applicants must operate their business as one of the following definitions below:  
    • Art Gallery/Museum: Facility whose principal function and mission is to exhibit, present, and/or sell artistic work in a variety of media produced by an artist, artist collective, or arts and culture organization, accessible by public audiences. 
    • Art Venue: A performance venue/theater or museum/art gallery, as defined in this section.  
    • Bar: A business engaged in the preparation and/or retail sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. At least 49% of the gross income must be derived from the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption. 
    • Live Music Venue: An establishment where live music programming is the principal function of the business and/or the business is a live music destination, and where the venue clearly establishes the ability of an artist to receive payment for work by percentage of sales, guarantee or other mutually beneficial formal agreement for every performance. A live music venue is a destination for live music consumers, and/or its music programming and is the primary driver of its business as indicated by the presence of at least five (5) of the following:  
      • Defined performance and audience space;  
      • Mixing desk, public address (PA) system, and lighting rig;  
      • Back line;  
      • At least two of the following: (i) sound engineer, (ii) booker, (iii) promoter, (iv) stage manager, or (v) security personnel;  
      • Charges cover charge to some music performance through ticketing or front door entrance fee;  
      • Markets specific acts through show listings in printed and electronic publications;  
      • Hours of operation coincide with performance times; or  
      • Programs live music at least five nights a week. 
  • Performance Venue/Theater: An Austin-based establishment whose principal function and mission is to present live performances, plays, live music, film screenings, or other performances of artistic work produced by an artist, or arts and culture organization, accessible by public audiences. 
  • Restaurants: An establishment engaged in the preparation and retail sale of food and beverages for on-premise consumption, off-site consumption, or in a ready-to-consume state. At least 51% of the gross income must be derived from the sale of prepared food. 
  • Applicants must attest to the following: 
    • Applicant must attest they incurred or may incur COVID-19 mitigation and protective equipment expenses.  
    • Applicant must attest to having challenges pivoting the business to alternative operating models for generating enough revenues for survival under COVID-19 public health orders.  
    • Applicant must attest that that assistance through this program reasonably ensures the business will not fail.  
    • Applicant must attest that they are committed to maintaining the business’ unique contribution to the City’s special culture and brand. 
    • Applicant must attest that they operate the business in a manner that meets or exceeds the City’s COVID-19 safety guidelines.   
    • Applicant must attest that they will adhere to worker safety protections and workers’ rights as applicable to the facility and business operations in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. The City may find a breach of the program guidelines if a program participant is found to have violated workers’ rights for a period of one year from grant award, either because of a substantiated finding as determined by the City and is not cured by the participant, of unfair labor practices, worker safety violations, violation of anti-discrimination laws, or violation of other applicable worker rights laws 
    • Applicant must attest that they agree to comply with policies to support anti-harassment and anti-discrimination practices for business operations and work environment in the City of Austin. Applicants receiving grant awards shall be required to sign and comply with a City-provided form specifying non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and practices. Evidence of noncompliance may be grounds for terminating a grant award and demanding repayment. At its discretion, the City may work with the recipient to develop a plan and timeline for becoming compliant. 
    • Applicants must agree to complete a technical assistance evaluation.  
Phase 1: Ineligible Applicants

Phase 1 Applicants are ineligible for this grant program if any of the following apply:  

  • Applicant’s business does not meet all the eligibility requirements. 
  • Applicant’s business is permanently closed.  
  • Applicant’s business does not have a physical (brick and mortar) location.  
  • Applicant’s business is NOT located in a City of Austin City Council district.  
  • Applicant received assistance through another Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund grant program.  
  • Applicant’s business is debarred from contracting with a governmental entity.  
  • Applicant’s business does not have an Employer Identification Number.  
  • Applicant’s business meets any of the following:  
    • The business is engaged in multi-level marketing (i.e. network marketing, pyramid selling);   
    • The business derives more than a third of its annual revenue from gambling activities;  
    • The business’ service to customers includes adult entertainment;  
    • The business’ primary activities involve lobbying;  
    • The business is a governmental entity; or  
    • The business is a non-profit organization.  
  • Applicants who are full-time, permanent City of Austin employees. 
Phase 1: Application Preparation

Start preparing your application answers. On February 16, the digital application will be available on this website for you to complete.

Application PDF 

Solicitud para la Subvención de Ayuda para Negocios de Legado de Austin PDF

오스틴 레거시 사업 구제 보조금  신청서 PDF

Austin 传统企业救济补助 申请 PDF

Austin 傳統企業救濟補助 申請 PDF

Tờ Đơn Xin Trợ Cấp Cứu Trợ Doanh Nghiệp Di Sản Austin PDF

منحة أوستن لإغاثة الأعمال Legacy Business Reliefالطلب PDF

 

Application Contact Information

  • What phone number should we use to contact you regarding this application?   
  • What email address should we use to contact you regarding this application?   
  • What is your business’ mailing address and zip code, if different than street address?   
  • If your business has multiple locations, please provide the address for only one location.   
  • What is your business’ street address and zip code? (No P.O. Box)  If your business operates under a different name than its registration (Doing Business As - DBA), please provide.   
  • What is your business’ name?  
  • What is your title at your business?  
  • What is your last name?  
  • What is your first name? 

About You (the Applicant)

  • What is your age?  
  • What is your gender?  
  • What are your preferred pronouns?  
  • What is your race/ethnicity?  

About Your Business

  • What is your business’ Employer Identification Number (EIN)?  
  • What is your business’ ownership structure? NOTE: Non-profits and sole proprietorships are not eligible to apply for the Austin Legacy Business Relief Grant funding. 
    • Partnership  LLC   
    • Cooperative   
    • Other Corporation  
  • Applicants must meet the definition of a Legacy Business to be eligible for this grant program. For the purpose of this grant program a Legacy Business is defined as:  business that has operated from a publicly-facing physical (brick and mortar) business for at least 20 years in an area that is currently within a City of Austin Council District. The Legacy Business may have changed locations during its twenty (20) years but must have been located and/or headquartered in an area that is currently in a  City of Austin Council District during all twenty (20) years. I attest that my business meets the requirements and definition of a legacy business as defined. 
  • For the purposes of this program businesses must operate as on the following business types. Please select the business type below. If your business does not operate as one of the types listed below, you are not eligible for the grant funding. 
    • Art Gallery/Museum: Facility whose principal function and mission is to exhibit, present, and/or sell artistic work in a variety of media produced by an artist, artist collective, or arts and culture organization, accessible by public audiences.  
    • Art Venue: A performance venue/theater or museum/art gallery, as defined in this section.   
    • Bar: A business engaged in the preparation and/or retail sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. At least 49% of the gross income must be derived from the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption.  
    • Live Music Venue: An establishment where live music programming is the principal function of the business and/or the business is a live music destination, and where the venue clearly establishes the ability of an artist to receive payment for work by percentage of sales, guarantee or other mutually beneficial formal agreement for every performance. A live music venue is a destination for live music consumers, and/or its music programming and is the primary driver of its business as indicated by the presence of at least five (5) of the following:
      • Defined performance and audience space;   
      • Mixing desk, public address (PA) system, and lighting rig;   
      • Back line;   
      • At least two of the following: (i) sound engineer, (ii) booker, (iii) promoter, (iv) stage manager, or (v) security personnel;   
      • Charges cover charge to some music performance through ticketing or front door entrance fee;   
      • Markets specific acts through show listings in printed and electronic publications;   
      • Hours of operation coincide with performance times; or   
      • Programs live music at least five nights a week.  
    •  Performance Venue/Theater: An Austin-based establishment whose principal function and mission is to present live performances, plays, live music, film screenings, or other performances of artistic work produced by an artist, or arts and culture organization, accessible by public audiences.   
    • Restaurants: An establishment engaged in the preparation and retail sale of food and beverages for on premise consumption, off-site consumption, or in a ready-to-consume state. At least 51% of the gross income must be derived from the sale of prepared food.  
  • In what year did your business’ operations begin? (When did you begin offering goods or services to the public?)  
  • Which race(s)/ethnicities are represented among the owners of your business? (indicate ownership share for each race/ethnicity as percentage that totals to 100%) 
    • Asian   
    • Black or African American   
    • Hispanic or Latino   
    • Middle Eastern, Arab, or North African   
    • Native American or Alaska Native   
    • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander   
    • White   
    • Multi Race or Ethnicity   
    • Race or Ethnicity Not Listed Above   
    • Prefer not to answer   
  • Which genders are represented among the owners of your business? 
    • Woman   
    • Man   
    • Non-binary   
    • Other   
    • Prefer not to answer   
  • In which Council District is your business located? Look up your Council District
    • District 1 (Mayor Pro Tem: Natasha Harper-Madison)   
    • District 2 (Councilmember:  Vanessa Fuentes)   
    • District 3 (Councilmember: Pio Renteria)   
    • District 4 (Councilmember: Greg Casar)   
    • District 5 (Councilmember: Anne Kitchen)   
    • District 6 (Councilmember: Mackenzie Kelly)   
    • District 7 (Councilmember: Leslie Pool)   
    • District 8 (Councilmember: Paige Ellis)   
    • District 9 (Councilmember: Kathie Tovo)   
    • District 10 Councilmember: Allison Alter)   
    • Outside of a City of Austin Council district (ineligible)  

Effects of COVID-19 on Your Business

  • What were your business’ payroll expenses in calendar year 2019?
  • What were your business’ payroll expenses between March 2020 and January 2021?  
  • Did your business break even or report a profit in:  2018? 2019?
  • What is the average wage paid to your business’ workers?  
    • Below $10/hr  
    • Between $10 and $15  
    • Above $15/hr  
  • What  was your total gross receipts or revenue for March to December in the following years? 2019? 2020?
  • How many months of working capital does your business currently have?  
    • Less than 1 month  
    • Between 1 and 3 months  
    • More than 3 months  
  • How many months behind is your business on rent or mortgage payments?  
    • Current on payments  
    • 1 to 2 months behind  
    • More than 2 months behind  
  • Due to COVID-19 and the related slowdown, has your organization experienced any of the following losses:
    • Reduction in sales   
    • Increased costs of doing business   
    • Inability to make rent or mortgage payments   
    • Cancellation of events   
    • Difficulty fulfilling supply chain orders   
    • Pay/salary cuts for staff   
    • Termination of staff   
    • Discrimination   
    • Losses due to deposits, leases, and other down-payments that will not be refunded   
  • In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has your business received other recovery funding?
    • Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)   
    • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)   
    • Other federal CARES Act funding   
    • City of Austin Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE)    
    • Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund   
    • Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program   
    • Austin Economic Injury Bridge Loan Program   
    • Austin Small Business Relief Grant  
    • Other COVID-19 government recovery funding not listed: Please specify ----------   
    • None of the above

Grant Participation   

  • Do any of these categories apply to your business?
    • The business is engaged in multi-level marketing (networking marketing, pyramid selling)     
    • The business derives more than a third of their annual revenue from gambling activities     
    • The business’ service to customers includes adult entertainment  
    • The Business’ primary activities involve lobbying     
    • The business is a government entity    
    • The business is a non-profit organizations   
    • None of these categories apply to my business   
    • I am a full time, permanent City of Austin employee  
  • Does your business have a bank account that can receive these grant funds, if awarded? Yes/No
  • Would your business like assistance in participating in the City of Austin Minority-Owned Business Enterprise and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) procurement program? The MBE/WBE program encourages minorities and women participation on City contracts by establishing special procurement goals on City contracts above the Austin City Manager’s spending authority.  Yes/No
  • Are you authorized to submit this application on behalf of the business described in the application? Yes/No
  • I attest that all of the information provided in this application is true and accurate as of the time of submission.  
  • I understand that the Austin Legacy Business Relief Grant funds were created to provide financial assistance to Austin businesses, giving the awardees discretion in how they use the funds for their basic needs. By accepting the funds, I specifically and fully release from harm and indemnify the City of Austin (including its officers, appointed or elected officials, employees, agents, representatives, successors and assigns) and PeopleFund and BCL of Texas (including its officers, directors, trustees, members attorney’s and affiliates) against all costs, liabilities, damages, claims, suits, actions, and causes of actions, to the extent they arise, directly or indirectly, from my application for, receipt of, or use of these grant funds. 
  • I attest that my business has incurred or may incur or may incur COVID-19 mitigation and protective equipment expenses.   
  • I attest that my business is having challenges pivoting the business to alternative operating models for generating enough revenues for survival under COVID-19 public health orders.   
  • I attest that assistance through this program reasonably ensures the business will not fail.   
  • I attest that my business is committed to maintaining the business’ unique contribution to the City’s special culture and brand.  
  • I attest that I am operating my business in a manner that meets or exceeds the City’s COVID-19 safety guidelines.   
  • I attest that my business is not debarred from contracting with the City of Austin or any other governmental entity  
  • I attest that my business is not in arrears to the City of Austin for tax payments  
  • I agree to participate in a technical assistance evaluation prior to receiving any grant funds.   
  • I attest as a business owner and applicant that I will adhere to worker safety protections and workers’ rights as applicable to the facility and business operations in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.  I understand that the City may find a breach of the program guidelines if a program participant is found to have violated workers’ rights for a period of one year from grant award, either because of a substantiated finding as determined by the City and is not cured by the participant, of unfair labor practices, worker safety violations, violation of anti-discrimination laws, or violation of other applicable worker rights laws.  
  • I attest as a business owner and applicant that I agree to comply with policies to support anti-harassment and anti-discrimination practices for business operations and work environment in the City of Austin. I understand that evidence of noncompliance may be grounds for terminating a grant award and demanding repayment. I understand that at its discretion, the City may work with the recipient to develop a plan and timeline for becoming compliant.   
  • I attest that I have read and will comply with the required non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and practices document provided by the City of Austin and agree to compliance with these policies. 
Technical Assistance

Phase 1 participants will be required to complete a Technical Assistance Evaluation and will have access to a series of business coaching and one-on-one technical assistance related to sustaining and growing their business. The Technical Assistance Evaluation may result in recommendations including virtual cohort-style business courses, and/or one-on-one counseling to receive technical assistance. Referrals and resources will be provided to the applicants for ease of completing the required Technical Assistance. 

The City may rescind the $20,000 grant from applicants that fail to participate in the mandatory Technical Assistance Evaluation. Applicants that fail to complete the technical assistance may be ineligible for Phase 2 Enhanced Funding and future City funding via other programs and/or grants. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

I have more than one business that meets the requirements of this program, can I apply for more than one business?

Applicants with multiple eligible operations may only apply for the fund once. Applicants should be sure to apply with their business location that meets the eligibility criteria for a Legacy Business.

Will the information I share in my application be public information?

All information submitted by applicants as part of the grant application and administration are subject to the Texas Public Information Act. 

Do I need to repay the dollars received through the Austin Legacy Business Relief Grant?

No. This is a grant program with no expectation of repayment.

If my business is eligible for the Austin Legacy Business Relief Grant, will I be guaranteed to receive grant funds? 

No. There is limited funding for grants. Only a limited number of grants are available.

Is this application available in multiple languages? 

Yes. This application is available in English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.  

What if my business closes prior to receiving the emergency or enhanced funding?

If the business closes permanently during the grant award period, termination of the grant may be considered. 

Is there a Business Location eligibility (i.e. outside Austin)?

Business must be headquartered in a City of Austin Council District. Businesses headquartered in the Austin Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) but not in a City of Austin Council District are not eligible. 

What is the definition of “immediate risk of closure”? 

“Immediate risk of closure” means risk of closure within 30 to 60 days of submitting the application under the business’ current operations. Businesses are required to meet all program eligibility criteria and complete a Technical Assistance Evaluation in order to qualify for this opportunity.