City of Austin Grants and Funding
Open Relief Grants:
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.
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 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.
City of Austin Loans
Open Loans:
Family Business Loan Program
The Family Business Loan Program is a public-private partnership between the City of Austin, HUD, and participating private lenders to offer low-interest loans to qualified small businesses that are expanding and creating jobs. Our mission to enable existing local businesses to expand and create jobs, revitalize communities, increase the tax base of the City of Austin, and enhance the overall quality of life for Austin residents.
Veteran Business Loan Initiative
The Veteran Business Loan is part of the Family Business Loan Program, a public-private partnership between the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which offers a low-interest rate loan and low borrower equity requirements to help create or expand a business.
Closed Loans:
Austin Economic Injury Bridge Loan Program
The City of Austin is no longer accepting new inquiries for the Austin Economic Injury Bridge Loan Program. The deadline for submission expired on May 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The Austin Economic Injury Bridge Loan Program is intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major disaster hits until a business has secured recovery resources. The proposed loan program will work alongside the applicant’s request for federal assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
