Rally Austin

🌈 Austin’s Pride celebrations continue this August, offering opportunities to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirm the values of inclusion, visibility, belonging, and equal opportunity that strengthen our city.

There are many ways to show support throughout Pride season and year-round. Explore the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Business Directory to support LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses across Central Texas: https://lnkd.in/gtfdxi5W

We also encourage our community to support local LGBTQ+ nonprofits by donating, volunteering, attending their programs, and amplifying their work. These organizations provide essential services, advocacy, cultural programming, and spaces for connection across Austin.

Join us for Austin’s first LGBTQ+ Pop-Up Cultural Center and Community Social:
📅 Monday, August 17
⏰ 5 to 7 p.m.
📍 Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street

The event will feature performances, a community social, a resource fair, refreshments, and more. At 7 p.m., the LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Commission will convene for a meeting focused on the vision for the City’s first LGBTQ+ Cultural Center.

Pride is both a celebration and a commitment to building an Austin where every community has the opportunity to belong and thrive.

RallyAustin

Last month, we were honored to accept a $7,500 contribution from Broadway Bank to fund our community development and cultural preservation projects. This investment helps our neighborhoods grow without losing the history and culture that make them home. Thank you for backing our mission and helping us build a better future for Austin. 🏙️

Curious about the projects this funding will help drive? Learn more here: https://www.rallyforaustin.com/projects/

Shining a spotlight on our board member Sara Vanderbeek! ⭐

Sara brings nearly two decades of experience across curatorial leadership, public art, and civic collaboration. As an award-winning artist and cultural infrastructure leader, she provides a unique perspective to our work in creative space preservation and equitable development. Her work has been supported by many including the National Endowment for the Arts, Mid-America Arts Alliance, and the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.

She is the Founder and Executive Director of DORF, an artist-led gallery and cultural space nationally recognized for advancing affordability, experimentation, and collective stewardship in the arts. She has also spent years helping city leaders improve land use and cultural planning through our City of Austin Government's Arts Commission and the Urban Core Land Use Working Group.

Sara’s expertise in cultural sustainability is an incredible asset to our mission. We are grateful for her board service and the insight she brings to our Arts, Music, and Culture projects as she serves with us through 2028 to help preserve the Austin we love! 🎨

📢 RFP DEADLINE EXTENDED for Community Creative Center Interior Finish-Out at the Permitting and Development Center (PDC).

-New Submission Deadline: May 18 before 2 pm CST
-Questions Due: May 5 by 5 pm CST
-Responses Provided: May 7 by 12 pm CST

Help transform a 7,000 SF space into a vibrant arts hub featuring a new theater, classrooms, and studios. Scope includes demo and full interior build-out.

Get more updates or submit a proposal here: https://www.rallyforaustin.com/rfp/pdc-creative-center/

This month, we held our Supporters’ Celebration to honor the people who make our work possible and reflect on the impact we’re making together through our 3 focus areas: Arts, Music & Culture, Catalytic Development, and Complete Communities.

A huge thank you to Mayor Kirk Watson for joining us to share his vision for Austin’s future, and to Will Bridges for hosting us at the legendary Antone's. This iconic venue is living proof of our mission in action, as Rally was proud to help secure its 50-year lease last year and preserve its cultural legacy for generations to come. 🎶

We couldn't do what we do without the support each and every one of you.
Thank you for rallying with us! ⭐

Preserving the soul of our city starts with protecting the spaces where creativity lives. 🎸🎨

Austin’s creative identity is our greatest asset, but rising costs make it harder for artists and venues to stay. Through the Austin Cultural Trust, Rally is preventing displacement by acquiring at-risk venues and providing strategic funding. This work ensures the music venues, theaters, and studios remain a permanent home for our local artists.

To date, we’ve allocated $18.84M across eight projects valued at over $39M. Our impact by the numbers:
• Securing 67,070 sq. ft. of affordable creative space
• 2,500+ performances supported every year
• 116 artists and bands provided with a space to perform every month

From historic stages like Antone's to new creative hubs, we are protecting the music and art we love to keep Austin’s creative spirit thriving. This work alone drives an estimated economic impact of up to $98M — and with the continued support of our community and partners, we look forward to growing this impact even further in 2026!

🔗 Read more about the Austin Cultural Trust in our Annual Impact Report:https://www.rallyforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Public-Version_Rally-Austin-2025-Annual-Impact-Report.pdf

Meet our board member, Dr. Garrett Groves!

As the current Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives for Austin Community College District(ACC), Garrett leads efforts to identify regional labor market needs and build partnerships that benefit both students and the local economy.

Prior to his work at ACC, Garrett directed the Economic Opportunity Program at Every Texan, where he focused on improving prosperity and educational outcomes for all Texans. He also spent years working with organizations like the National Governors Association and the U.S. Department of Labor. In those roles, he helped leaders nationwide improve training programs and workforce transitions through statewide planning and cross-sector initiatives.

Garrett’s specialized background in economic policy is a perfect fit for the work we do. We are excited for the oversight and guidance he brings to our real estate and community projects as he serves with us through 2027 to help build a more resilient and inclusive Austin!

Call for Proposals! Rally Austin is seeking a partner to transform 7,000 SF at the Permitting and Development Center (PDC) into a vibrant arts hub.

Why this project matters? This Community Creative Center will:
✔ Retain a 30-year creative institution for our city.
✔ Provide affordable rehearsal and performance space for local artists.
✔ Strengthen Austin’s cultural ecosystem with sustainable infrastructure.

If our mission and values resonate with your firm, we encourage you to submit a proposal by May 18 prior to 2 p.m. C.S.T. here: https://www.rallyforaustin.com/rfp/pdc-creative-center/

Austin’s history lives in the places, stories, and cultural spaces that give this city its soul. ⭐ Rally Austin is proud to be working with the City of Austin Government, the Historic Preservation Acquisition Fund, and its Advisory Committee to help shape a sustainable path for preserving and activating historic places that reflect our identity, serve our community, and welcome visitors.

We invited Kim McKnight, Division Manager of the Historic Preservation Office, to share a closer look at the programs and partnerships currently shaping the future of preservation in Austin. Read the guest blog to learn what comes next as this work continues: https://www.rallyforaustin.com/2026/04/10/preserving-austins-past-and-shaping-its-future/

📊 Our 2025 Annual Impact Report is here!

In just five years, Rally Austin has hit key milestones, exceeded our portfolio and fundraising targets, and established a foundation for sustainable growth and long-term local impact. By aligning community vision with strategic investment, we are turning plans into reality.

Our current investment portfolio is already driving measurable change:
•$36.8M → Allocated
•$162M → Estimated Portfolio
•$320M–$400M → Projected Economic Impact

👆 What this means for Austin:
These projects are delivering 293k sf of affordable space, fueling job creation, and increasing tax revenue and property values. Together, these benefits secure the tourism and cultural preservation that keeps our city vibrant.

This progress was possible because of our dedicated staff, supporters, and partners. Thank you for your commitment to reaching these achievements together.

Dive into the full report to see how we’re continuing to invest in Austin's future across our three core areas: Arts, Music & Culture, Complete Communities, and Catalytic Development. https://www.rallyforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Public-Version_Rally-Austin-2025-Annual-Impact-Report.pdf