Funding

City of Austin Grants and Funding

Closed Relief Grants:

Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant

The City of Austin is no longer accepting applications for the Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant. The Austin City Council approved Resolution 20200507-023 on May 7, 2020 to designate $1 million for the Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant (formerly the Childcare Support Fund).

Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program

The City of Austin is no longer accepting applications for the Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program. The Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20200423-040 on April 23, 2020 to provide $1 million for the Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program. 

Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant

The Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20200604-040 on June 4, 2020 to designate $3.5 million for the Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant. The Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant provides immediate and equitably-focused grants to individual creatives and industry support staff in Austin. Applicants may apply for a $2,000 grant toward rent, bills, groceries, and other eligible COVID-19 related expenses.

Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund

The City of Austin is no longer accepting applications for the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund. The Austin City Council approved Ordinance No. 20200423-067 on April 23, 2020 to designate $1.5 million for the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund. These grants are for Austin’s most vulnerable musicians experiencing economic hardship. 

Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant

The City of Austin Economic Development Department is reopening the Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant on September 21, 2020 to reach additional non-profits facing hardship due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have revised eligibility to ensure grant guidelines accommodate more non-profit organizations. The Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant has a remaining $2.4 million fund providing up to $20,000 grants to Austin’s non-profit community toward reimbursement of eligible expenses including rent, payroll, and other economic needs.

Austin Small Business Relief Grant

The City of Austin is no longer accepting applications for the Austin Small Business Relief Grant. The Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20200507-023 on May 7, 2020 to provide $10 million for the Austin Small Business Relief Grant. The City Council approved an additional $6.5 million for the Austin Small Business Relief Grant in Resolution No. 20200604-040 on June 4, 2020.  

Ongoing Funding Programs:

Business Expansion Incentive Program

The City may award an incentive for expansion projects to companies who create new jobs plus provide access to employment and community benefits. Considerations include: middle-skill jobs at above-industry standard compensation, hiring populations facing economic and socio-economic hardships that pose as a barrier to employment, and realizable community benefits beyond tax revenue.
 

Cultural Arts Funding

Cultural Arts Funding provides cultural arts programs for the Austin community by contracting with arts organizations for specific services.
 

Film & Digital Media Production Incentives

Incentives and funding resources for filmmakers.
 

Heritage Grants

Heritage Grants serve to promote tourism through the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings, sites or districts. Historic preservation is a successful economic development tool that creates jobs, spurs new business, and strengthens local economies.