ACL Music Festival Grants Program: Community Impact Grants

The ACL Music Festival Grants Program offers Community Impact Grants aimed at enhancing local parks through community-driven projects. Grants of $5,000 and up support improvements like playgrounds, trails, and gardens on city-owned land. Eligible applicants include Adopt-A-Park groups and neighborhood associations. Preference is given to projects that foster community participation, address unmet needs, and promote diverse usage. This funding initiative is essential for revitalizing parks that have historically lacked investment.

NOTE: All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule a time to discuss your proposed project. APF staff is available to pre-screen applications one month in advance of the deadlines. All proposed projects on city-owned parkland must have an approved Community-Activated Park Project form on file with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
Community Impact Grants are designed for large-scale, community-initiated park improvements. These funds are meant to enable Park Adopters, park stewards, community gardens, and other park stakeholder groups to make significant improvements to their local parks, trails, and green spaces. Community Impact Grants are intended for large-scale, community-initiated park improvement projects from $5,000 and up.
What Types Of Projects Are Funded
Community Impact Grants fund projects on land owned and managed by the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department, and support physical improvements to parks, such as playground equipment, shade structures, trails, habitat restoration, picnic tables, ADA-accessibility and more. They can also fund specific portions of vision plan implementation, as well as placemaking projects.
Is There A Limit On The Amount For This Grant
While there is no upper limit on this grant, funding is allocated each year from ACL funds, and are designed for specific amenities or improvements (e.g., play equipment, basketball courts, or eco-projects) and are not meant for full park development or major infrastructure like swimming pools, restrooms, or splash pads.

Eligibility

Adopt-A-Park groups, neighborhood associations and other park stakeholder groups are welcome to apply.in order to be eligible for grant funding, projects must take place on parkland that is owned and managed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (APR).