Heritage Preservation Grant: With Historic Designation

The Heritage Preservation Grant by the City of Austin supports initiatives aimed at enhancing heritage tourism and preserving historic sites. With maximum funding of $150,000, projects must involve historically designated locations and can include events, exhibits, and tours that highlight local history. Eligible applicants include non-profits and businesses with a commitment to community engagement and storytelling. The grant emphasizes accessibility to heritage resources while fostering economic growth in the creative sector.

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.
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.
Heritage Events with Local, State, or National Designated Historic Location (Maximum Award: $150,000)
Support proposals that expand access to historic places and heritage experiences by highlighting local history and storytelling, connecting communities, and drawing both residents and tourists. While bids are not required for Heritage Events, a proposed budget breakdown is required as part of the application process.
Sites must be historically designated or previously approved by the City Council as a heritage district or corridor.
Heritage Event Project Types
Events, festivals, or programs at a historic designated location or within a historic district and marketed regionally, nationally, or internationallyHeritage, historic, or interpretive history-focused exhibitsHistoric marker (applications must indicate eligibility from the Texas Historical Commission in advance)Projects or activities in heritage districts with historic assets previously approved by the City Council (includes the Red River Cultural District, African American Cultural Heritage District, and the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor)Tour development: historic, heritage, legacy business, and natural resources

Eligibility

Eligible Heritage Event Ex.pensesEquipment rentals Honoraria for oral history interviews services rendered.Marketing and advertising promotions.Non-expendables for tour development tourist-benefitting expenses, not to exceed $2,000 without AACME staff approval to ensure compliance with the contract and City policy.Production, historic research, operations, and administration of heritage tourism activities that support the event and promote tourism.Project insurance.Review and acquire necessary permits through Austin Build + Connect (AB+C).Travel-related costs for visiting speaker/contractor coming to Austin for funded activity that directly benefits and is promoted to tourists .For-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 cycle

Ineligibility

Applicants whose non-profit status has been revoked by the Internal Revenue ServiceApplicants unable to demonstrate at least two years of operations within the Austin metro areaApplicants who are receiving or requesting funding from other AACME Funds for the same proposal, same activities, and/or expenses within the contract periodCity of Austin Employees Individuals younger than 18 years old Owner-occupied (residential) stewards or properties