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City recommends $3 million for FY26 Heritage Preservation Grants, awarding capital and event projects
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Summary
Austin staff recommended $3 million in Heritage Preservation Grant awards for FY26: $1.5 million for capital projects (eight projects) and $1.5 million for heritage events (14 projects), with grants available up to $250,000 for capital work and up to $150,000 for events at historic sites.
Staff from Austin Arts and the Cultural Affairs & Investments Division presented recommendations for the FY26 Heritage Preservation Grant cycle, saying the program supports preservation projects, expands access to historic places and encourages heritage‑based events.
"For the fiscal year 2026, we have recommended for funding and awarded over $24,000,000 in grants to 731 applicants," Christina Kufa said while giving an overview of ACME funding programs that include multiple grant tracks. For the Heritage Preservation Grant specifically, staff reported $3,000,000 was available and recommended $1,500,000 to eight capital projects and $1,500,000 to 14 heritage event projects.
Staff described eligibility rules (501(c)(3) nonprofits and for‑profit businesses with two years of operation in the Austin‑Round Rock MSA; projects must be at publicly accessible, nonresidential historic sites or sites eligible for designation), scoring methods (external panels and rubric across preservation impact, tourism, new voices and local designation), and typical award caps (heritage events up to $50,000 or up to $150,000 if held at a historic site or district; capital projects up to $250,000 with a 24‑month term).
Examples highlighted in the presentation included a $250,000 award to Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas Baker LLC for Baker School window and trim restoration and a $250,000 capital award to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated for Thompson House stabilization and ADA ramp work. Staff said panel reviewers disclose conflicts and that staff will provide additional briefings about grant program changes and outreach later this summer.
Why it matters: the Heritage Preservation Grants direct local public dollars to preserve historic places, support cultural programming, and leverage tourism and community engagement. Staff noted outreach and language support to reach new applicants and options to analyze breakdowns by council district.
