Elevate
Designed to support the creation of culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content for the public. It supports the creative, administrative, and operational expenses incurred while producing creative activities and events for Austin and its tourists.
Elevate Grant Application Window: October 21 – December 11, 2025
2025 Application Cycle
Eligibility Forms due in
For application assistance:
- Reach out to Create Austin’s application assistance team at applicationhelp@thelongcenter.org or call 512-457-5161.
For assistance with grant guidelines, eligibility, and application requirements:
- Register to attend one of the AACME Funding Programs Workshops
- Attend AACME Funding Programs’ Virtual Open Office Hours
- Email applicationhelp@thelongcenter.org. Our application assistance team will redirect your question to the right AACME staff member.
Fiscal Sponsors
Applicants interested in applying with a fiscal sponsor must complete the Intake Form for their entity. The Fiscal Sponsor may not submit the Intake Form on the behalf of the Sponsored Project. Once the Intake Form is complete, the sponsored project will need to complete both the eligibility form and the associated grant application.
The Fiscal Sponsor will need to provide a copy of their most recently completed 990, IRS Determination Letter, and a completed and signed sponsorship agreement to their sponsored project(s) so that they can include it in their application.
The Sponsored Project will submit the application, and,if awarded, will have their application transferred to their Fiscal Sponsor at the time of contracting.
You must have a fiscal sponsor agreement in place BEFORE you begin the application process.
Only Elevate Applicants applying as Individual Artists or Arts groups without 501(c) nonprofit status can employ a fiscal sponsor.
Insurance Requirements
Resources for the Elevate Grant
Events for AACME Funding Applicants
Asistencia en español disponible en todos los eventos
In-Person AACME Funding Programs Workshop
Saturday, November 15 • 12:00 – 2:00 P.M.
Asian American Resource Center 8401 Cameron Road Austin, TX 78754
Virtual AACME Funding Programs Workshop
Monday, November 17 • 11:00 A.M. -12:30 P.M.
In-Person AACME Funding Programs Workshop
Tuesday, November 18 • 5:00 – 7:00 P.M
Ruiz Branch, Austin Public Library 1600 Grove Boulevard Austin, TX 78741 • presented in Spanish
In-Person AACME Funding Programs Workshop
Thursday, November 20 • 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Carver Branch, Austin Public Library 1161 Angelina Street Austin, TX 78702 • with ASL interpretation
Virtual Open Office Hours
Tuesday, December 2 • 10:00 A.M. – Noon • No appointment necessary
Virtual and In-Person All-Day Open Office Hours
Thursday, December 4 • 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78741 • No appointment necessary
Virtual and In-Person All-Day Open Office Hours
Thursday, December 11 • 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78741 • No appointment necessary
Virtual and In-Person All-Day Open Office Hours
Tuesday, December 9 • 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78741 • No appointment necessary
2023 Award Cycle
If you are a current awardee, see our Grant Administration Updates page for information about our payment runs. See our FAQ for information on reporting requirements.
See the Impact of the Elevate Grant
Browse our calendar of local events that have been funded by grants – including Elevate – from the Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Department
By the Numbers
2023 Elevate Grant Applicants and Awardees
Established by the City of Austin, the Elevate Grant provides an ongoing budget for arts organizations, individual artists, and creative businesses that produce culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content. See statistics and details from the Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Department for the 2023 Elevate Grant.
Learn More About the Other AACME Funding Programs That Create Austin Administers
Austin Live Music Fund
Encourages, promotes, improves, and showcases Austin’s diverse music industry.
Creative Space Assistance Program
Supports commercial creative spaces facing displacement or new leases at higher and unaffordable rates.
Heritage Preservation Grant
Serves to promote tourism through historic preservation projects and activities inclusive of all stories rooted in history and heritage.
Nexus Grant
Supports emerging cultural and creative individuals and organizations to produce public projects and activities for Austin’s diverse communities.
Thrive Grant
Offers focused investment to sustain and grow local arts nonprofit organizations deeply rooted in and reflective of Austin’s many cultures.
Creativity should be prioritized in our city – creating vibrant neighborhoods, social impact, sustainable economics, and job opportunities. By working together, we can enrich the lives of all who live in and visit our vibrant city.
2024 Elevate Grant FAQ
You should have received an award confirmation from the Long Center in August of this year. The Long Center has also been reaching out to awardees in the subsequent weeks to do several things:
- Verify payment details
- So we can get your money to the correct bank account
- Get a signed grant agreement
- This is a contract between the awardee and the Long Center.
- It is not a negotiable step in the program as it is a program requirement required by our contract with the City of Austin
- Ensure that you have the proper insurance coverage
- This is also a program requirement. Based on your answers to the Insurance Questionnaire, some insurance coverage may need to be secured prior to your event
- IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED COMMUNICATION FROM THE LONG CENTER, CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT.
According to the City of Austin’s Payment Schedule, your payment distribution is:
- Round 1 – 50% of your total award upon completion of all necessary paperwork
- Round 2 – 40% of your total award after you:
- Take a Miles Partnership Class; OR
- Post to Visit Austin
- These requirements will be verified by Cultural Arts Division staff and confirmation of these actions will be sent to Long Center to begin payment process.
- Round 3 – 10% of your total award after:
- Cultural Arts Division staff has emailed all awardees the requirements for payment and reporting.
- Once all reporting has been verified, the Long Center will confirm with City of Austin that all requirements have been met and initiate payment.
The vast majority of awardees who have returned their completed paperwork should have received their Round 1 payment already. If you have not, please reach out to us. We have a dedicated email and phone number with a team of staff available to assist you. Here is our contact information:
Phone: 512-457-5139
Email: cityofaustingrants@thelongcenter.org
Round 2 payments have already begun for those who have completed a Miles Partnership class OR posted their event to the Visit Austin website. This is being verified by Cultural Arts Division Staff. Awardees can only receive Round 2 payment once they have also completed the paperwork necessary for a Round 1 payment. If you have questions about what you should be submitting, please use the contact information above for help.