Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund
Funding Amount
$20,000 - $140,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- One-time opportunity
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Geography
- Located in a City of Austin City Council District
Other requirements
- Meets the City's definition of a live music venue
- Significantly reduced operations since March 2020
- Must meet or exceed City's COVID-19 safety guidelines (www.austintexas.gov/covid19)
- What They Fund: Emergency relief and enhanced funding for live music venues impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
Overview
Geographic Scope: City of Austin City Council Districts only
Focus Areas: COVID-19 relief for live music venues
Eligibility:
- Located in a City of Austin City Council District
- Meets the City's definition of a live music venue
- Significantly reduced operations since March 2020
- Must meet or exceed City's COVID-19 safety guidelines (www.austintexas.gov/covid19)
What They Fund: Emergency relief and enhanced funding for live music venues impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
What They Don't Fund: Venues outside City of Austin City Council Districts; venues not meeting City's COVID-19 safety guidelines
Funding Structure: Two-phase distribution
Phase 1: Emergency Funding
- Award: $20,000 grant
- Distribution: December 2020
- Additional Services: Legal and accounting services; real estate advice and guidance on lease negotiations; professional services and long-term planning from community experts
Phase 2: Enhanced Funding
- Award: Up to $140,000 (in addition to Phase 1 funds)
- Monthly payments with maximum of $40,000 per month
- Requirements: Must complete technical assistance evaluation and Equity Strategic Plan
Background: Established by Austin City Council through Ordinance No. 20201001-052, creating the $15 million Save Austin's Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund. Council adopted final guidelines for the $5 million Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund on December 3, 2020 via Resolution No. 20200103-013. The Long Center for the Performing Arts partners with City of Austin to provide application assistance, process applications, and administer funds.
Contact Information:
- Email: saveaustinvenues@thelongcenter.org
- Phone: 512-457-5181
- Application Portal: www.thelongcenter.org/saveaustinvenues
How to Apply
How to Apply
- Access Application Portal: Visit www.thelongcenter.org/saveaustinvenues
- Review Eligibility Guidelines: Ensure your venue meets all requirements before applying
- Complete Application: Submit through online portal with all required information
- Request Assistance: Contact Long Center for eligibility questions and application assistance
Application Timeline
- Application Opens: Friday, December 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
- Application Closes: Monday, January 11, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact for Application Support
- Email: saveaustinvenues@thelongcenter.org
- Phone: 512-457-5181
Past recipients of this program
Recent awards under this program (from Greater Austin Performing Arts Center Inc's IRS filings)
Kick Butt Coffee
Austin, TX · 2022
$140K
Barbarella
Austin, TX · 2022
$140K
Southbar
Austin, TX · 2022
$140K
Austin Nightlife
Austin, TX · 2022
$140K
Electric Horseman
Austin, TX · 2022
$134K
13 grants in Greater Austin Performing Arts Center Inc's 2022 filings reference “Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund” in their stated purpose. Amounts and places as reported by the funder.
What Greater Austin Performing Arts Center Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 223
- Total given
- $13.4M
- Median grant
- $54K
- Range
- $5,088–$282K
- By dollars: Texas >99%, Michigan <1%, Wyoming <1%. Top recipient cities: Austin, TX; Pflugerville, TX; Manor, TX.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Example grants
Rally in the Alley LP · Austin, TX
Promote cultural experiences and destinations that attract austin-based tourism
$282K
Fisterra Projects · Austin, TX
Promote cultural experiences and destinations that attract austin-based tourism
$227K
Housing Authority of the City of Austin · Austin, TX
Promote cultural experiences and destinations that attract austin-based tourism
$225K
Austin Theatre Alliance · Austin, TX
Promote cultural experiences and destinations that attract austin-based tourism
$222K
Pease Park Conservancy · Austin, TX
Promote cultural experiences and destinations that attract austin-based tourism
$171K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Arts
- Disaster relief
- Small businesses
Categories
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