Texas Dance Hall Preservation offers seed grants to help dance halls make repairs or help pay for a building condition assessment by a qualified architect or structural engineer. Preservation Fund grants have helped hall owners fix damage to roofs, dance floors, and other critical items. Although the Preservation Fund grants may not pay for an entire project, a small grant can help kick off a larger fundraising campaign.

To qualify, the applicant must be a nonprofit organization with current 501(c) tax-exempt status per the IRS. Both 501(c)(3) and other 501(c) organizations are eligible, including fraternal organizations’ lodges, such as SPJST, Sons of Hermann, and Knights of Columbus. For other eligibility requirements, see the current application form (below).

Applications are considered twice a year with awards made shortly thereafter. The deadline to apply in the Spring is March 15. The Fall application deadline is September 15.

Current Preservation Grant Fund Application (PDF)

Quick Tips for Applicants

  • Start early; it may take several weeks to assemble the information you need for the application.

  • Get a written estimate from at least one qualified contractor.

  • Take new photos that clearly show the damage to be repaired. Work that has already been completed is not eligible for this program.

  • Include historic photos, before-damage photos, etc. to help us understand the problem.

  • Once you receive the grant, work must begin within three months and must be completed within 12 months. You also must submit a final report with in-progress photographs, invoices for the work completed, and proof of payment.

  • Contact us by email or call 512-400-4315 if you have any questions! We can also advise you on historically appropriate repairs, etc.

Support Texas Dance Hall Preservation

Your kind and generous help makes it possible for us to work directly with dance hall owners to provide technical assistance, workshops, grants for building repairs, and other resources. Please become a TDHP Member and make a donation today.

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