Austin Community Foundation - Generosity Multiplied

Competitive Grant Guidelines and Information

The Austin Community Foundation has a competitive grants cycle where grant requests from organizations in Austin and surrounding areas are reviewed and may receive funding from the Foundation's unrestricted fund or from donor-advised funds.  Grant guidelines and information about applying are below.  Beginning on May 1, 2010, the Austin Community Foundation will ONLY accept ONLINE grant requests.  The online application is available through this website.  The online application requires that you sign up for an online account, you do that by putting in your email and password on the first page of the application.  Be sure you write down your password for future uses or to review any applications you submit.

The Austin Community Foundation grants funds for projects and programs in the Central Texas area.

The Austin Community Foundation encourages grant requests for projects or programs that:  

• are likely to have a substantial impact on the quality of life of people in the community;
• propose practical ways to address community issues and problems;
• leverage other sources of support (i.e., funds or volunteers);
• stimulate others to participate in addressing community problems;
• assist non-profit organizations to maximize effective management;
• are cooperative efforts and minimize or eliminate duplication of services;
• are sustainable over time.

The Foundation has limited resources, so there are restrictions on the scope of the activities the Foundation is able to support. In general, the Foundation does NOT grant funds for:

• unrestricted general operating expenses; 
• endowment funds; 
• religious organizations for religious purposes; 
• fundraising activities or events; 
• umbrella funding organizations that intend to distribute funds at their own discretion; 
• political lobbying or legislative activities; 
• individuals.

The Foundation accepts Grant Requests only from organizations that are tax-exempt under Sections 501(c)(3) or 170(b)(1)(a)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Foundation will award grants only to organizations that have met all the deadlines for project reporting and accountability for any previous grant from the Foundation.

The Foundation will only accept one grant request from an organization during a 12-month period.

Additionally, the Foundation will not consider a Grant Request from an organization that has received funds until the funded project is complete and a Final Report has been submitted.

All applicants will be notified in writing of the final decision regarding their Grant Request.

If you have any questions, please see or Frequently Asked Questions about Grant Requests (“FAQ”). Click here to go to the FAQ.

Click here to Apply for an ACF Competitive Grant.

Click here to Submit a Women's Fund Letter of Inquiry.