Heritage Preservation Grant: Capital Improvement Projects

Heritage Preservation Grant: Capital Improvement Projects

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: City Of Austin
Amount: Up to US $250,000
Last Updated: October 14, 2025

Summary

The Heritage Preservation Grant from the City of Austin aims to enhance local heritage tourism through capital projects that restore historic sites. With a focus on accessibility and community engagement, the program supports initiatives that preserve Austin's cultural heritage while creating opportunities for tourism. Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses and non-profits with a minimum two-year operation in the area. Projects must comply with historic preservation standards and demonstrate a direct benefit to tourism.

Overview

NOTE: You must first complete the Intake Form to access the Eligibility Forms. The Eligibility Forms are used to determine whether a potential applicant qualifies to proceed to the full grant application.Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM: Eligibility Forms OpenTuesday, October 21 at 10:00 AM: AACME Funding Applications Open Thursday, December 4 at 6:59 PM: AACME Funding Eligibility Forms DeadlineThursday, December 11 at 6:59 PM: AACME Funding Application Deadline Background Meaningful direct support for artists and cultural groupsLocal economy growth and development to attract visitors and build stronger communitiesEnduring partnerships between artists, cultural groups, and businessesOpen and accessible spaces that connect residents and tourists through arts and culture to strengthen community identity and promote collective storytellingFurther build Austin’s identity as a global city for creativity The AACME Funding Program Guidelines outline everything you need to know about eligibility, funding priorities, allowable expenses, and application review. Heritage Preservation Grant The Heritage Preservation Grant promotes tourism through historic preservation projects and activities rooted in local history and heritage. Grant funds support capital projects or heritage events that expand access to historic places and heritage resources and market the site's history to engage new audiences and tourists. All capital projects require a historic designation. Program goals include to increase Austin's heritage tourism; preserve and open access to historic spaces; bring local history to life through interpretation, activations, and storytelling; and support jobs in the creative economy. Capital Improvement Projects Contractual preservation agreements to restore, preserve, and promote tourism-serving historic designated sites and structures. The project site must have a historic designation or be eligible for historic designation (designation must be completed within the contract term). The program supports exterior restoration projects. At least one complete bid package from a contractor, (preservation) architect, and subcontractor is required for the preservation project. Detailed and thorough project bids must indicate how the proposed work meets the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and/or Local Historic Building Standards. All capital project proposals are required to be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Office, Architectural Review Committee (ARC), and/or the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC). ARC project feedback must be incorporated into the proposal. To be placed on an upcoming agenda, please contact the Historic Preservation Office. Capital Projects Types: American Disabilities Act (ADA) exterior accessAwning rehabilitation / repairCast iron restoration / repairDoor / window / screen / trim restoration/repairFaçade elementsFoundation stabilizationHeating, ventilation, and air conditioning installation / repair (does not require an exterior project proposal) (see pg. 202)Historic accessory structuresInterior: Electrical Upgrades (compatible with the restoration-period character of the interior and the request must be submitted together with an exterior project proposal)Interior: Mechanical Upgrades (compatible with the restoration-period character of the interior and the request must be submitted together with an exterior project proposal)Interior: Flooring (must be submitted together with an exterior project proposal) see pg. 204)Interior: Safety Upgrades (compatible with the restoration-period character of the interior and the request must be submitted together with an exterior project proposal) (see pg. 202)Interior: Masonry (compatible with the restoration-period character of the interior and the request must be submitted together with an exterior project proposal)Masonry rehabilitation / repairMillwork rehabilitation / repairPaint (in kind; must match existing unless pre-approved)Professional services or consultants required to support the project, such as PreservationArchitects, Interpretive Planners, Architectural Historians, and other professional services contracts to support the project, its long-term preservation, or historic designationRoof RepairSign installation (on private property and must comply with Historic Sign Standards)

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Capital Project Requirements:Grounds must be accessible, open, and marketed to tourists with reasonable visitation hoursInterior project proposals must be submitted together with an exterior project proposalIn accordance with Texas Tax Code Ch 351, the proposal and application must meet the following two criteria: (1) The use must directly enhance and promote tourism and the hotel industry; (2) For historic preservation and restoration projects, the project must be: (A) at or in the immediate vicinity of convention center facilities or visitor information centers; or (B) located in the areas that are reasonably likely to be frequented by touristsInterior projects must include a sensitive treatment plan which emphasizes preserving significant historic features and materials while minimizing physical and visual impact as recommended by The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic PropertiesMaintain historic designationProjects must occur at a designated historic site or a contributing property within a designated historic district. Verify the historic designation of a site using the City of Austin Historic Property View Finder Projects must occur at a site eligible for local, state, or national historic designation, or determined eligible for designation by the Texas Historical Commission. Designation must be completed within the agreement termProject management fee and project administrative expenses are allowed up to 10% of the grant award for capital projectsProjects must be reviewed and approved either by the Historic Preservation Office and/or the Historic Landmark Commission after a preliminary review by the Architectural Review CommitteeProjects that are preservation-related or history-focused and are actively promoted to tourists, hotel guests, and convention delegates to expand audiences and touristsProposals on private property must include Owner Authorization with the applicationProposals must include one complete bid package (see definition) with bids from a contractor, (Preservation) Architect, subcontractor and vendors. Two complete bid packages are not requiredProposals must include recommendations from an Architect based on The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and/or the City of Austin Historic Design StandardsProposals must adhere to City of Austin Historic Design Standards and/or The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic PropertiesProposed historic site may require an on-site assessment or reviewProposals with City-owned sites must be approved by the managing department before applying for a grantProperties determined to be eligible for historic designation. If a property is not designated at the time of the application, the applicant must provide a determination of eligibility with the application and sites must be historically designated by the end of the grant contract termEligible ApplicantsFor-Profit Business501(c)(3)Two years minimum operating in the City of Austin / MSALeaseholder or Owner for historic designated properties (individual or contributing)Applicants may qualify for one Heritage Preservation Grant per funding cycleEligible ExpensesCapital project proposals must occur at a historic designated site or a site eligible for historic designation. Properties may be leased or owned with owner authorization For HOT funded programs, eligible expenses include—but may not be limited—to compensation, marketing & outreach, insurance, supplies, permits, rentals, production, and performance and service fees related to the grant-funded activities promoted to touristsFor grants over $10,000, potential for up to $2,000 for project-related equipment purchases/repairs, dependent upon the program and with AACME staff approval

Ineligibility

Ineligible Applicants:Applicants whose non-profit status has been revoked by the Internal Revenue Service.Applicants unable to demonstrate at least two years of operations within the Austin metro area.Applicants who are not receiving or requesting funding for the same project from other City-funded programs.  City of Austin Employees  Individuals younger than 18 years old  Individuals who reside outside of the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).  Owner-occupied (residential) stewards or properties. Ineligible Projects include:Activities outside Austin;Acquisition of property;Archeology excavation projects (educational projects eligible);Audits (unless required by agreement);Capital projects that do not meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards or local Historic Design Standards;Community Activated Park Projects Proposals at City- owned historic sites that have not been pre-approved;Consultants who are members of an applicant’s board;Existing deficits, fines, contingencies, penalties, interest, or litigation costs;Food and beverages;Fundraising expenses;Furnishings;Historic interiors (planning projects eligible);Historic properties with fencing in front of, or near, the property that would obscure or prevent visual observation of the building from the public right-of-way;Landscaping or Cultural Landscape projects (planning projects eligible);Mass-produced commercial products;Murals;Neon Signage;New building construction or expansion;Owner-occupied properties or historic residential properties;Payments to students or interns;Preservation, heritage, and historic projects not associated with a historic site;Projects with no historic designation or are not eligible for historic designation;Property Taxes or any other tax;Purchase of gifts, awards, cash prizes, scholarships, contributions, or donations;Purchase of gasoline;Supplementing staff salaries, board, volunteer, and docent activities;Travel-related costs;Wayfinding and right-of-way signage.