Grants
Preservation Austin is proud to offer financial support to a wide breadth of heritage-based projects across our city. Our Grants Program awards funding in three categories: Education, Bricks and Mortar, and Planning/Historic Resource Survey/Local Historic Designation. We offer two grant opportunities: our bi-annually reviewed Matched Grants can provide up to $10,000 while our Rolling Grants are reviewed year round, offer up to $1,500, and do not require matched funding. Nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups, and owners of individual or proposed landmarks may apply. This program gets to the heart of our mission to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. By providing small, but impactful funding to important projects citywide, Preservation Austin can affect real change in the preservation and interpretation of the historic places that mean the most to our community.
Please sign up for our mailing list to receive news and updates on our grants program.
matched grant applications are due January 15 and June 15.
Step 1: Download MATCHED Grant Application HERE ($10,000)
Step 2: Email completed application to Programs Coordinator Rosa Fry at rosa@preservationaustin.org
rolling grant applications are reviewed year round.
Step 1: Download ROLLING Grant Application HERE ($1,500)
Step 2: Email completed application to Programs Coordinator Rosa Fry at rosa@preservationaustin.org
Qualifying Expenses
Planning/Historic Resource Survey/Local Historic Designation:
Funds can be used for historic building conditions reports, engineering and rehabilitation plans, feasibility studies, historic resource surveys and updates of previous surveys, National Register nominations, and local historic designations for individual buildings and districts. Consultant and application fees qualify.
Education:
Education Grants support projects that foster a better understanding of Austin’s built history, including significant historical figures, cultural landscapes, cultural movements, sites, buildings, and neighborhoods. Projects may include, but are not limited to, oral histories, photography, art, film, apps and websites, neighborhood histories, and signage.
Brick and Mortar:
Qualifying expenses include façade rehabilitation/restoration, window/door rehabilitation and repair, repair of siding or exterior materials, exterior painting, repair of façade items, porch repair, foundations, roofs, electrical, mechanical/HVAC and other structural improvements and/or stabilization. Grants are allowed for landscape features that contribute to a property’s historic significance.
Grants are NOT allowed for improvements to non-historic properties, landscaping, sidewalks, driveways, expenditures for furniture and equipment, indirect costs including overhead, non-grant related administrative costs and general operating costs or any other costs not directly related to the exterior appearance or structural integrity of the building.
Program Guidelines
This program requires a cash match from the grantee equal to the amount awarded. For example, if Preservation Austin awards $10,000 to an applicant, the required match will be $10,000 based on a total project budget that equals or exceeds $20,000. The source of the cash match must be identified at the time of application. In-kind contributions should also be noted, but do not count towards an applicants’ match requirement.
Grant funding is handled on a reimbursement basis. Funds will be disbursed within 30 days of the grantee’s Reimbursement Request (see below). Preservation Austin reserves the right to inspect the project prior to payment.
The project must be completed within one year of the grant award. Failure to meet the deadline can result in loss of grant funds. See Application for Continuation Request details.
This program’s intent is to support new programs or project phases not currently underway or completed. [EXCEPTION: Preservation Austin may fund multiple phases of the same project, for example: Brick and Mortar grant for window restoration, followed by a Brick and Mortar grant for siding repairs, or Planning/Survey/Historic Designation grant awarded for historical resource survey, followed by a Planning/Survey/Historic Designation grant for landmark status]. Any costs incurred by the grantee prior to their grant award WILL NOT be eligible for reimbursement.
Priority is given to first-time applicants to this program. Priority will be given to members of Preservation Austin, but membership does not guarantee funding. Previous grantees will not receive more than three grant awards within a five-year period, a collective award limit of $15,000, and may have no more than one active grant during any 12-month period.
Inquiries regarding the application process must be submitted to Preservation Austin staff no later than 1 week prior to grant cycle deadline. Inquiries submitted after specified deadlines are not subject for review. Preservation Austin’s Grants Committee does not review applications prior to the grant cycle deadline.
All contracts, proposals, and quotes must appear on billing company’s letterhead and submitted with application.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the Grants Committee. Preservation Austin will return incomplete applications with suggestions/corrections, and welcomes those applicants to apply for future grant cycles.
Travel expenses, meals, lodging, and operating costs (rent, utilities, and existing staff salaries) do not qualify for reimbursement.
Grants exceeding $10,000 are not awarded under this program.
Preservation Austin is not responsible for supervision of projects funded by this program but reserves the right to cease funding if the recipient fails to follow grant policies.
Contact Programs Coordinator Rosa Fry at rosa@preservationaustin.org for questions.
For Grant Recipients:
preservation Austin Social media guide
logo (right click and save image)
2023 Grantees
1106 E. 8th Street: Painting and exterior restoration
C.E. Johnson House: Painting, window repair, and facade improvements
Economy Furniture Strike Educational Sign: Interpretive sign content development, fabrication, and installation
Southwind: Patio repair
Travis Audubon Society: Historical marker repair and relocation
Zeta Phi Beta: Asbestos abatement
2022 Grantees
Donley-Goode-Walton House: Historic Designation Fees
Henry G. Madison Cabin, Austin Parks Foundation & Austin PARD: Design drawings and specifications for rehabilitation
Neill-Cochran House Museum: Restoration of the Slave Quarters for "Reckoning With the Past: The Untold Story of Race in Austin”
Evergreen Cemetery, Save Our Cemeteries: “Voices of Evergreen” Video Tour
Cisco’s Bakery and Restaurant: Electrical and Plumbing Upgrades
Old Austin Neighborhood Association: Prepare a Determination of Eligibility and National Register nomination for a Downtown Austin National Register Historic District
Texas Historical Commission 1940 Luther Hall Building: Paint Removal From Exterior Brick
Robert’s Clinic: Conditions Assessment and Architectural Planning
2021 Grantees
Sarah Gamble: Educational Resource - House Relocation: A Guide to Preserving the Residential Fabric of Austin
Southwind: Exterior Limestone Repairs
Erna Smith & Jeremy Steinberger: Documentary on The Historic Victory Grill & the Lindsey Sisters
Givens Avenue property in the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District: Exterior Repairs & Upgrades
Hillside Farmacy: Exterior Repairs & Upgrades
Huston-Tillotson University: King-Seabrook Chapel Stage Renovation
2020 GRANTEES:
Austin History Center Association: “All Aboard! The Train Arrives in Austin” Documentary
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy: Interpretation Signage for Waterloo Park
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association: Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of the Blair Woods Nature Preserve Property
Mary Baylor House: Historic Designation fees
Paramount Theatre: Exterior Renovation
Boggy Creek Farm: Roof Repairs
Mark Rogers: E. 10th Street Residence Exterior Restoration
2019 GRANTEES:
The Contemporary Austin: Driscoll Villa at Laguna Gloria
Interfaith Action of Central Texas: "To Believe"
Old Austin Neighborhood Association: Historic Resource Survey
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy: Hardeman House Entrance Restoration at Symphony Square
Boggy Creek Farm: Siding Restoration
Austin Club/Millett Opera House: Architectural Design Fees for Front Steps
Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Neighborhood Association: Local Historic District Designation
2018 GRANTEES:
Austin Club/Millett Opera House: Restoration of Exterior Wooden Features
Boggy Creek Farm: Window Restoration
Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Neighborhood Association: Local Historic District Designation
Mayfield Park/Community Project: Rose Garden Stonework Repair
Paramount Theatre: Roof Tile Restoration
2017 GRANTEES:
Austin Community Foundation: Travis Heights-Fairview Park Historic District
Austin Theatre Alliance: Repair of Paramount Theatre Balconies, Awnings, and Marquee
Living Springs, An Interactive Documentary About Barton Springs
Norwood Park Foundation: Schematic and Civil Engineering Plans for Historic Grounds
Terrace Park and Smoot Subdivisions Local Historic District
2016 GRANTEES:
Hyde Park Neighborhood Association: Local Historic District Street-Sign Toppers
Six Square, Austin's Black Cultural District: The Homecoming Symposium on African American Cemeteries
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Since our founding in 1953, Preservation Austin (originally the Heritage Society of Austin) has sustained many dozens of preservation projects in our community, from saving individual buildings to supporting survey work and historic districts. The following includes grants and loans given between 1956 and 2001, to the tune of $2,852,684.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS IN HISTORIC RESOURCES:
1956-2001
Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farm: $316,794.86 in grants for restoration of structures moved to Farm, furnishings for Homestead House, master plan and security system.
1958-1979
Penn House (3112 West Avenue): Purchased, preserved, used as Heritage Society of Austin (now Preservation Austin) Headquarters, sold as residence.
1962-1979
Charles Lundberg Bakery (1006 Congress): Purchased, preserved, saved from demolition, sold to State of Texas.
LOANS IN THE AMOUNT OF $871,535.00 HAVE BEEN MADE OR COMMITTED ON THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURES:
1971-1999
Driskill, Day Ford Building (403 East 6th Street)
Morley Brothers-Grove Drug Building (209 East 6th Street)
Julia Trask House (600 block East 3rd Street)
W.J. Oliphant House (3900 Avenue G)
Brizendine House (507 West 11th Street)
Commercial Building (713 East 6th Street)
Smith-Bickler House (504 West 14th Street)
Weisiger-White House (4104 Avenue F)
Southgate Lewis House (1501 East 12th Street)
Pompee-Holland House
The Academy (400 Academy Drive)
Old Taylor Bank Building (200 Main Street, Taylor, TX)
Hurt House (2210 San Gabriel)
Penn House (3112 West Avenue)
Cedar Street Court (208-214 West 4th Street)
Randerson-Lundell Building (701 East 6th Street)
Fischer House (1100 West Avenue)
Newton House (1013 East 9th Street)
Wolf House (1602 East 1st Street)
Lyons House (1001 East 8th Street)
Hill House (905 West 21st Street)
Dill-White House (1110 East 10th Street)
Bailey-Houston House (4110 Speedway)
Wright-Giles House (4301 North IH-35)
Stanley Stone House (1811 Newton)
PLANNING GRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,797.00 HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS:
1972-1997
Inventory of 19th century buildings in original city
East Austin Historic Structures Inventory
St. Edward’s University Planning Grant
Austin State Hospital Planning Grant
Hirshfeld Complex Measured Drawings
Congress Avenue Study
Laguna Gloria Grant for schematic design to adapt Davis Hardware Building for downtown museum
Hyde Park Neighborhood Association National Register Nomination
Hancock Log Cabins Documentation
Congress Avenue Beautification
Laguna Gloria Estate Planning Grant
EXPENDITURES IN THE AMOUNT OF $237,863.86 FOR RESTORATION, BEAUTIFICATION, AND RELATED EFFORTS:
1973-2001
Driskill Hotel Corp Stock Purchase
Facade Work on Driskill Hotel
Trees for East 6th Street honoring Katherine Hart
Facade Work on Walter Tips Building
Association for Preservation Technology
Historic Landmark’s Litigation
Walter Tips House Moving Expense
Hirshfeld Mansion and Cottage
Capitol Centennial Candles
Live Oak Homes Festival
National Trust Main Street Conference
Awards Program
Junior League of Austin
Congress Avenue Beautification Program
B.J. Smith House Facade Cleaning
Austin Steam Train Association
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Scarborough Barn Relocation
1973-1998
Flower Hill (Richmond Kelley Smoot House - 1316 West 6th Street): Historic Structures Report, preservation, survey, $456,548.00; Flower Hill Endowment Fund, $150,000.00.
RESTORATION AND FACADE GRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $724,695.94 HAVE BEEN MADE OR COMMITTED ON THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURES:
1973-2001
Goodman Building (200 West 13th Street)
Brizendine House (507 West 11th Street)
Commercial Building (908 Congress Avenue)
Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph Building (410 Congress Avenue)
W.T. Caswell House (1502 West Avenue)
Commission General Provision Building (501-03 East 6th Street)
Paggi House (200 Lee Barton Boulevard)
Millett Opera House (112 East 9th Street)
Suter Buildings (308-314 Congress Avenue)
Austin History Center - Old Main Library Building (810 Guadalupe Street)
Elisabet Ney Museum (304 East 44th Street)
St. Edward’s University (3100 South Congress Avenue)
Daniel H. Caswell House (1404 West Avenue)
Hose Company No. 6 Firehouse (3002 Guadalupe Street)
Laguna Gloria Art Museum (3809 West 35th Street
Elisabet Ney Sculpture Conservatory (304 East 44th Street)
Lundberg Bakery (1006 Congress Avenue)
Paramount Theatre (713 Congress Avenue)
Texas State Capitol (1100 Congress Avenue)
Governor’s Mansion (1010 Colorado Street)
Mayfield Park Main House (3600 West 35th Street)
Jacob Larmour House (1711 Rio Grande Street)
Walter Tips House (2336 South Congress Avenue)
Mason Brewer House (1108 Chicon Street)
El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church (1200 Willow Street)
REVOLVING FUND:
1976
Eugene Bremond House (404 West 7th Street): Purchased, sold to preservationist.
1976-1977
Hirshfeld Mansion and Cottage (303-305 West 9th Street): Purchased, sold to preservationist, restoration completed in 1980.
1977-1978
Walter Tips Building and Eilers-Tips Building (708-712 Congress Avenue): Purchased, exposed original second floor facade of Walter Tips Building; sold to preservationist.
1979-1980
Jacob Larmour House (1901 Whitis, moved to 1711 Rio Grande): Purchased demolition contract; moved and deeded to preservationist who has adapted house for offices.
EDUCATION GRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $98,421.85 HAVE BENEFITED THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS:
1979-2000
Weigl Brothers Iron Works Exhibit at Laguna Gloria
Texas State Historical Association Film Grant
Texas State Historical Association Grant
Texas Chapter AIA Research Grant
Texas Chapter AIA Publications Grant
Archivist Seminar, Austin History Center
George Washington Carver Branch Library Grant
Architecture School Scholarship
Abner Cook Monograph Research
Philip D. Creer Fellowship in Historic Preservation
Jane Smoot Teaching Excellence Award
Blake Alexander Fellowship UT Austin
Quality of Life Foundation, Capital City Chronicles
Quality of Life Foundation, Leadership ‘89 Tour Tape
New Sweden ‘88 Translation Project
Architecture Week
O. Henry Manuscripts
Heritage Alliance
Adopt-A-School
Austin History Curriculum for 3rd and 7th grade
Historic Resources Survey of Rainey Street National Register Historic District
1986-1987
Sesquicentennial Project: Restoration and furnishing of Governor’s Reception Room, State Capitol