Forever Austin Fund Grant

Forever Austin Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Austin Community Foundation
Amount: US $5,000 - US $50,000
Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Summary

The Forever Austin Fund Grant offers support for urgent and systemic needs in Central Texas, focusing on economic mobility, health, and environmental sustainability. Through collaborative efforts, grants will be awarded to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. This fund aims to empower communities by addressing barriers and fostering long-term growth, with a commitment to improving health outcomes and preserving natural resources. Applications are welcome from diverse organizations serving the Central Texas region.

Overview

Forever Austin Fund About this grant opportunity The Forever Austin Fund is a permanent community resource that enables ACF to invest in Austin’s most pressing needs and greatest opportunities. The Forever Austin Fund supports the giving of a collection of field-of-interest funds, unrestricted funds, and donor advised funds at the Foundation. The ACF team manages grantmaking from these funds, thoughtfully balancing the intent of each fund with the evolving needs of Central Texas. Funding areas Every year, ACF will make Forever Austin Fund grants to address both urgent and systemic needs in Central Texas. The issues prioritized in Forever Austin Fund grantmaking will shift over time to reflect the evolving needs of our region and the interests of our legacy donors. In 2025, the grants will focus on the following areas: Economic Mobility: Ensuring paths to economic mobility for Central Texans is a critical strategy in ACF’s focus on closing the opportunity gap. By partnering with and funding organizations that tackle immediate and systemic economic challenges, we aim to eliminate wealth disparities and create lasting change. Grants in this category will focus on four key areas: Housing Stability: Stable housing is the anchor of economic mobility. When individuals and families have access to safe, affordable housing—whether renting or owning—they can build assets and work toward long-term economic mobility. ACF will invest in strategies that support housing stability and/or create asset-building opportunities through homeownership.Career Pathways & Resources: For many Central Texans, limited job opportunities, lack of affordable childcare, senior care, and unreliable transportation make finding and keeping stable employment difficult. Earning a living wage is essential for building financial security and weathering economic ups and downs. ACF will invest in programs that support access, sustainability, and mobility among living-wage careers.Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Owning a business can offer a strong path to financial security and upward mobility. Entrepreneurship is a critical way to build personal wealth and assets that can benefit future generations. ACF will support programs and investment vehicles that give undercapitalized entrepreneurs and small business owners the support they need to achieve their goals.Addressing Systemic Barriers: Systemic inequities have led to ongoing wealth disparities, disproportionately affecting women and people of color. Closing these wealth gaps is vital to improving individual lives and boosting our regional economy. ACF will support initiatives that increase savings or reduce debt for communities that have experienced historic wealth inequality to build generational wealth. Health and Humanities: The future of our region is inextricably linked to the health of our people and the growth of our creative community. Grants in this category will focus on: Health & Wellness: Improving health outcomes by connecting people to quality health resources, culturally competent health education and reducing health disparities. Health is broadly defined to include mental and physical health and wellness.Arts & Culture: Catalyzing work that champions the diversity of our community, expands access to arts and cultural experiences for residents, and/or increases opportunities for artistic expression. Nurturing Our Region: Preserving and protecting our rich ecosystem ensures generations of Central Texans can live and thrive. Grants in this category will focus on: Environmental Sustainability: Bolstering environmental efforts that support a healthier, cleaner, and more resilient region.Green Spaces: Encouraging the preservation and enjoyment of green spaces (e.g. parks, trails, preserves) in Central Texas.Animal Welfare: Promoting the well-being of animals and/or defend against abuse or neglect. Funding amounts Through the Forever Austin Fund grant cycle, we anticipate awarding 50-75 grants between $5,000 – $50,000 each. Award amounts will be determined by application scores, donor priorities, and individual endowment budgets. Grants may be approved for full or partial funding of the requested amount, which cannot exceed 30% of the organization’s budget. Additional information per funding area: Economic Mobility: 20-30 grants, up to $1,250,000Health and Humanities: 15-20 grants up to $550,000Nurturing Our Region: 10-15 grants up to $200,000

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities in good standing with the IRS, religious organizations, and governmental entities that are serving the Central Texas region. Projects with an established IRS 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor are also eligible to apply.We welcome proposals from organizations from across the spectrum including those providing direct services, advocacy, community organizing, partnerships, and other approaches as appropriate.Location: The proposed work must serve the Central Texas region, defined to include the following counties: Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, or WilliamsonCompliance: If you have a current grant through any ACF program, you must be in compliance with that grant to apply. Number of applications: Each applicant may submit only one application to only one category.Organizations who have received grants from ACF’s Program Funds are eligible for this grants cycle if they are up to date with all required reporting. Grants may be approved for full or partial funding of the requested amount and will be between $5,000 - $50,000.

Ineligibility

Requested amount cannot exceed 30% of the organization’s budget. In general, the Forever Austin Fund does not award grants for:Endowment fundsFundraising activities or eventsIndividualsPolitical lobbying or legislative activitiesReligious organizations for religious purposesScholarshipsUmbrella funding organizations that intend to distribute funds at their own discretion