Forever Austin Fund

The Forever Austin Fund, administered by the Austin Community Foundation (ACF), serves as a permanent philanthropic resource designed to address Central Texas's evolving needs. Drawing from a pool of field-of-interest, unrestricted, and donor-advised funds, ACF channels resources to areas of pressing concern and high opportunity. The fund exemplifies ACF’s commitment to adaptive, community-driven grantmaking that honors donor intent while responding to emerging regional challenges. Each year, the Forever Austin Fund provides grants in alignment with its evolving funding priorities. For the upcoming 2026 cycle, grants will focus on three central themes: Economic Mobility, Health & Humanities, and Nurturing Our Region. Economic Mobility grants will target housing stability, access to living-wage career pathways, support for undercapitalized entrepreneurs, and efforts to dismantle systemic wealth barriers. The Health & Humanities category emphasizes mental and physical wellness and promotes artistic expression that reflects community diversity. Nurturing Our Region supports environmental sustainability, green space preservation, and animal welfare efforts. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000, with approximately 50 to 75 awards expected. Funding decisions are informed by application quality, donor priorities, and fund availability. Grant proposals may receive full or partial funding but cannot exceed 30% of the applicant's organizational budget. Awards are designed to provide general operating support to bolster organizational capacity and sustainability. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities in good IRS standing, religious organizations, and governmental entities operating within the Central Texas region, defined as the counties of Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, or Williamson. Projects with an established fiscal sponsor are also eligible. Collaborative applications are welcomed, with one nonprofit serving as the lead applicant. Applicants may submit only one application to a single funding category but may also participate in a separate application as a partner. The application period for the 2026 cycle is currently closed, with the next expected cycle anticipated in 2026. All current applicants must be in compliance with any existing ACF grants. The fund does not support endowments, fundraising events, scholarships, political lobbying, religious activities, or intermediary organizations distributing funds. Grant proposals will be evaluated by a panel comprising community members, donors, and ACF board and staff. Applications are scored based on merit and alignment with funding priorities. Specific proposal requirements and application forms will be detailed closer to the opening of the next cycle.