Funding

Business Expansion 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.

Place-Based Enhancement Program

The Place-Based Enhancement Program (PBEP) is a real estate development program aimed at providing commercial affordability relief focused on our local small business, legacy businesses, non-profits, cooperatives, and those in the creative sector. The PBEP is a pay-for-performance program that pays out annually to approved projects that meet annual compliance.

Cultural Arts Funding 

The Economic Development Department’s Cultural Arts Funding Program supports cultural arts programs for the Austin community by contracting with arts organizations for specific services.

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.

Film & Digital Media Production Incentives

Incentives and funding resources for filmmakers.

Performance Opportunities

From cultural events, to outdoor concerts, to film screenings, the City of Austin provides Austin area professional musicians and bands, dancers, and filmmakers paid performance opportunities for live and virtual City events.

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 Cultural Funding Grants

Arts Education Relief Grant

Panelists reviewed 59 eligible applications from Non-Profit Organizations. After the panel review, the top 19 scoring applications were recommended for funding. Find details about the Arts Education Relief Grant. The Arts Education Relief Grant is coming soon.

 

Elevate

With almost 500 applicants, over 300 of the top scoring applications were reviewed and scored by a panel. After the panel review, the top 200 scoring applications were recommended for funding. Find details about the Elevate grant. The Elevate Grant dashboard is coming soon.

 

Heritage Preservation Grant

Over 20 applications were submitted with 17 applications awarded. Find details about the Heritage Preservation Grant. View the Heritage Preservation Grant dashboard.

 

Live Music Fund Event Program

Find details about the Live Music Fund Event Program grant. View the Live Music Fund Event Program dashboard.

 

Nexus

Almost 200 applications were reviewed and scored by City of Austin Employees. After the panel review, the top 50 scoring applications were recommended for funding. Find details about the Nexus grant and awardees. The Nexus Grant dashboard is coming soon.

 

Thrive

With over 140 applicants, the top 59 scoring applications were reviewed and scored by a panel. After the panel review, the top 36 scoring applications were recommended for funding. Find details about the Thrive grant and awardees. View the Thrive Grant dashboard.