Grants

Stolle-Sweatt House, Recipient of a Bricks & Mortar grant for exterior paint, siding/trim replacement, and screen repair

Empowering Austinites to Shape Our Community Through Preservation

Preservation Austin is proud to offer financial support to a wide breadth of heritage-based projects across our city. Our Grants Program awards funding in three categories: Education, Bricks and Mortar, and Planning/Historic Resource Survey/Historic Designation.

We offer two grant opportunities: our bi-annually reviewed Matched Grants can provide up to $10,000 while our Rolling Grants are reviewed year round, offer up to $1,500, and do not require matched funding. Nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups, and owners of individual or proposed landmarks may apply.

This program gets to the heart of our mission to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. By providing small, but impactful funding to important projects citywide, Preservation Austin can affect real change in the preservation and interpretation of the historic places that mean the most to our community.

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Ready to apply?

Matched Grant Applications are due January 15 & June 15.

Matched Grants are reviewed biannually and can provide up to $10,000 of funding (the average grant award is $4,000). Please select the appropriate category below to apply:

Questions? Programs Manager Rosa Fry is available to answer inquiries by appointment.

Rolling Grant Applications are reviewed year-round.

Rolling Grants can provide up to $1,500 and are reviewed throughout the year. Please select the appropriate category below to apply:

Qualifying Expenses

PLANNING / HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY / HISTORIC DESIGNATION

Funds can be used for historic building conditions reports, engineering and rehabilitation plans, feasibility studies, historic resource surveys and updates of previous surveys, National Register nominations, and local historic designations for individual buildings and districts. Consultant and application fees qualify.

EDUCATION

Education Grants support projects that foster a better understanding of Austin’s built history, including significant historical figures, cultural landscapes, cultural movements, sites, buildings, and neighborhoods. Projects may include, but are not limited to, oral histories, photography, art, film, apps and websites, neighborhood histories, and signage.

BRICKS AND MORTAR

Qualifying expenses for Bricks and Mortar Grants include façade rehabilitation or restoration, window/door rehabilitation and repair, repair of siding or exterior materials, exterior painting, repair of façade items, porch repair, foundations, roofs, electrical, mechanical/HVAC and other structural improvements and/or stabilization. Grants are allowed for landscape features that contribute to a property’s historic significance.

Grants are NOT allowed for improvements to non-historic properties, landscaping, sidewalks, driveways, expenditures for furniture and equipment, indirect costs including overhead, non-grant related administrative costs and general operating costs or any other costs not directly related to the historic appearance or structural integrity of the building. Travel expenses, meals, lodging, capital and minor capital expenses (such as computers, scanners, cameras, etc.) and existing operating costs (rent, utilities, already established staff salaries, etc.) do not qualify for reimbursement.

Mary Baylor House: 2020 Planning/Survey/Historic Designation Grant

LEARN MORE ABOUT OTHER GRANTS & FUNDING SOURCES AVAILABLE FOR YOUR HERITAGE-BASED PROJECT →

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Making a Difference

Since our founding in 1953, Preservation Austin (originally the Heritage Society of Austin) has sustained many dozens of preservation projects in our community, from saving individual buildings to supporting survey work and historic districts. The following includes grants and loans given between 1956 and 2001, to the tune of $2,852,684.

Previous Grant Recipients

  • • Lydia Street Depot: Historic window restoration, repair, and replacement

    • Zeta Phi Beta: Historic window restoration

    • Palm Park Shelter House: Engineering fees

    • I-35 Capital Express Expansion: Art/Documentation project

    • Deep Eddy Cabaret: Mortar and drainage repairs

    • Center for Women & Their Work: Historic window screen replacement

    • Neill-Cochran House Museum: 19th Century Austin Murals project

    • Sugarloaf Pictures: Tonkawa: They All Stay Together documentary

    • Black Austin Tours: Black Barbers in Austin project

  • • Chateau Bellevue: Restoration of the third floor doors at the Chateau Bellevue

    • Jump: Swim-ins at Barton Springs: Animated documentary film about the history of integration at Barton Springs

    • Roberts Clinic: HVAC, foundation repair, attic decontamination

    • Stolle-Sweatt House: Painting, siding/trim replacement, screen repair

    • E. 8th Street House: Painting and exterior restoration

    • C.E. Johnson House: Painting, window repair, and facade improvements

    • Economy Furniture Strike Educational Sign: Interpretive sign content development, fabrication, and installation

    • Southwind: Patio repair

    • Travis Audubon Society: Historical marker repair and relocation

    • Zeta Phi Beta: Asbestos abatement

  • • Donley-Goode-Walton House: Historic Designation Fees

    • Henry G. Madison Cabin, Austin Parks Foundation & Austin PARD: Design drawings and specifications for rehabilitation

    • Neill-Cochran House Museum: Restoration of the Slave Quarters for "Reckoning With the Past: The Untold Story of Race in Austin”

    • Evergreen Cemetery, Save Our Cemeteries: “Voices of Evergreen” Video Tour

    • Cisco’s Bakery and Restaurant: Electrical and Plumbing Upgrades

    • Old Austin Neighborhood Association: Prepare a Determination of Eligibility and National Register nomination for a Downtown Austin National Register Historic District

    • Texas Historical Commission 1940 Luther Hall Building: Paint Removal From Exterior Brick

    • Robert’s Clinic: Conditions Assessment and Architectural Planning

  • • Sarah Gamble: Educational Resource - House Relocation: A Guide to Preserving the Residential Fabric of Austin

    • Southwind: Exterior Limestone Repairs

    • Erna Smith & Jeremy Steinberger: Documentary on The Historic Victory Grill & the Lindsey Sisters

    • Givens Avenue property in the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District: Exterior Repairs & Upgrades

    • Hillside Farmacy: Exterior Repairs & Upgrades

    • Huston-Tillotson University: King-Seabrook Chapel Stage Renovation

  • • Austin History Center Association: “All Aboard! The Train Arrives in Austin” Documentary

    • Waterloo Greenway Conservancy: Interpretive Signage for Waterloo Park

    • El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association: Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of the Blair Woods Nature Preserve Property

    • Mary Baylor House: Historic Designation fees

    • Paramount Theatre: Exterior Renovation

    • Boggy Creek Farm: Roof Repairs

    • Mark Rogers: E. 10th Street Residence Exterior Restoration

  • • The Contemporary Austin: Driscoll Villa at Laguna Gloria

    • Interfaith Action of Central Texas: "To Believe"

    • Old Austin Neighborhood Association: Historic Resource Survey

    • Waterloo Greenway Conservancy: Hardeman House Entrance Restoration at Symphony Square

    • Boggy Creek Farm: Siding Restoration

    • Austin Club/Millett Opera House: Architectural Design Fees for Front Steps

    • Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Neighborhood Association: Local Historic District Designation

  • • Austin Club/Millett Opera House: Restoration of Exterior Wooden Features

    • Boggy Creek Farm: Window Restoration

    • Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Neighborhood Association: Local Historic District Designation

    • Mayfield Park/Community Project: Rose Garden Stonework Repair

    • Paramount Theatre: Roof Tile Restoration

  • • Austin Community Foundation: Travis Heights-Fairview Park Historic District

    • Austin Theatre Alliance: Repair of Paramount Theatre Balconies, Awnings, and Marquee

    • Living Springs, An Interactive Documentary About Barton Springs

    • Norwood Park Foundation: Schematic and Civil Engineering Plans for Historic Grounds

    • Terrace Park and Smoot Subdivisions Local Historic District

  • • Hyde Park Neighborhood Association: Local Historic District Street-Sign Toppers

    • Six Square, Austin's Black Cultural District: The Homecoming Symposium on African American Cemeteries

  • 1956–2001

    Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farm $316,794.86 in Grants for:

    • Restoration of Structures Moved to the Farm

    • Furnishings for Homestead House,

    • Master Plan

    • Security System

    1958–1979

    Penn House (3112 West Avenue)

    • Purchased

    •Preserved

    • Used as Heritage Society of Austin (Now Preservation Austin) Headquarters

    • Sold as a Residence

    1962-1979

    Charles Lundberg Bakery (1006 Congress)

    • Purchased

    • Preserved

    • Saved from Demolition

    • Sold to the State of Texas

  • 1971–1999

    • Driskill, Day Ford Building (403 East 6th Street)

    • Morley Brothers-Grove Drug Building (209 East 6th Street)

    • Julia Trask House (600 block East 3rd Street)

    • W.J. Oliphant House (3900 Avenue G)

    • Brizendine House (507 West 11th Street)

    • Commercial Building (713 East 6th Street)

    • Smith-Bickler House (504 West 14th Street)

    • Weisiger-White House (4104 Avenue F)

    • Southgate Lewis House (1501 East 12th Street)

    • Pompee-Holland House

    • The Academy (400 Academy Drive)

    • Old Taylor Bank Building (200 Main Street, Taylor, TX)

    • Hurt House (2210 San Gabriel)

    • Penn House (3112 West Avenue)

    • Cedar Street Court (208-214 West 4th Street)

    • Randerson-Lundell Building (701 East 6th Street)

    • Fischer House (1100 West Avenue)

    • Newton House (1013 East 9th Street)

    • Wolf House (1602 East 1st Street)

    • Lyons House (1001 East 8th Street)

    • Hill House (905 West 21st Street)

    • Dill-White House (1110 East 10th Street)

    • Bailey-Houston House (4110 Speedway)

    • Wright-Giles House (4301 North IH-35)

    • Stanley Stone House (1811 Newton)

  • 1972–1997

    • Inventory of 19th-century Buildings in Original City

    • East Austin Historic Structures Inventory

    • St. Edward’s University Planning Grant

    • Austin State Hospital Planning Grant

    • Hirshfeld Complex Measured Drawings

    • Congress Avenue Study

    • Laguna Gloria Grant for Schematic Design to Adapt Davis Hardware Building for a Downtown Museum

    • Hyde Park Neighborhood Association National Register Nomination

    • Hancock Log Cabins Documentation

    • Congress Avenue Beautification

    • Laguna Gloria Estate Planning Grant

  • 1973–2001

    • Driskill Hotel Corp Stock Purchase

    • Facade Work on Driskill Hotel

    • Trees for East 6th Street honoring Katherine Hart

    • Facade Work on Walter Tips Building

    • Association for Preservation Technology

    • Historic Landmark’s Litigation

    • Walter Tips House Moving Expense

    • Hirshfeld Mansion and Cottage

    • Capitol Centennial Candles

    • Live Oak Homes Festival

    • National Trust Main Street Conference

    • Awards Program

    • Junior League of Austin

    • Congress Avenue Beautification Program

    • B.J. Smith House Facade Cleaning

    • Austin Steam Train Association

    • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Scarborough Barn Relocation

    1973–1998

    Flower Hill (Richmond Kelley Smoot House—1316 West 6th Street)

    • $456,548: Historic Structures Report, Preservation & Survey

    • $150,000: Flower Hill Endowment Fund

  • 1973–2001

    • Goodman Building (200 West 13th Street)

    • Brizendine House (507 West 11th Street)

    • Commercial Building (908 Congress Avenue)

    • Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph Building (410 Congress Avenue)

    • W.T. Caswell House (1502 West Avenue)

    • Commission General Provision Building (501-03 East 6th Street)

    • Paggi House (200 Lee Barton Boulevard)

    • Millett Opera House (112 East 9th Street)

    • Suter Buildings (308-314 Congress Avenue)

    • Austin History Center—Old Main Library Building (810 Guadalupe Street)

    • Elisabet Ney Museum (304 East 44th Street)

    • St. Edward’s University (3100 South Congress Avenue)

    • Daniel H. Caswell House (1404 West Avenue)

    • Hose Company No. 6 Firehouse (3002 Guadalupe Street)

    • Laguna Gloria Art Museum (3809 West 35th Street

    • Elisabet Ney Sculpture Conservatory (304 East 44th Street)

    • Lundberg Bakery (1006 Congress Avenue)

    • Paramount Theatre (713 Congress Avenue)

    • Texas State Capitol (1100 Congress Avenue)

    • Governor’s Mansion (1010 Colorado Street)

    • Mayfield Park Main House (3600 West 35th Street)

    • Jacob Larmour House (1711 Rio Grande Street)

    • Walter Tips House (2336 South Congress Avenue)

    • Mason Brewer House (1108 Chicon Street)

    • El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church (1200 Willow Street)

  • 1976

    Eugene Bremond House (404 West 7th Street)

    • Purchased

    • Sold to a Preservationist

    1976–1977

    Hirshfeld Mansion and Cottage (303–305 West 9th Street)

    • Purchased

    • Sold to a Preservationist

    • Restoration Completed in 1980

    1977–1978

    Walter Tips Building & Eilers-Tips Building (708–712 Congress Avenue)

    • Purchased

    • Exposed Original Second-floor Facade of Walter Tips Building

    • Sold to a Preservationist

    1979–1980

    Jacob Larmour House (1901 Whitis, Moved to 1711 Rio Grande)

    • Purchased Demolition Contract

    • Moved

    • Deeded to a Preservationist who has Adapted the House for Offices

  • 1979–2000

    • Weigl Brothers Iron Works Exhibit at Laguna Gloria

    • Texas State Historical Association Film Grant

    • Texas State Historical Association Grant

    • Texas Chapter AIA Research Grant

    • Texas Chapter AIA Publications Grant

    • Archivist Seminar, Austin History Center

    • George Washington Carver Branch Library Grant

    • Architecture School Scholarship

    • Abner Cook Monograph Research

    • Philip D. Creer Fellowship in Historic Preservation

    • Jane Smoot Teaching Excellence Award

    • Blake Alexander Fellowship UT Austin

    • Quality of Life Foundation, Capital City Chronicles

    • Quality of Life Foundation, Leadership ‘89 Tour Tape

    • New Sweden ‘88 Translation Project

    • Architecture Week

    • O. Henry Manuscripts

    • Heritage Alliance

    • Adopt-A-School

    • Austin History Curriculum for 3rd & 7th Grade

    • Historic Resources Survey of Rainey Street National Register Historic District

    1986–1987

    Sesquicentennial Project: Restoration and furnishing of Governor’s Reception Room, State Capitol

Other Programs