About the Foundation
The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation of the Downtown Austin Alliance that serves underserved and underrepresented populations downtown, using art and cultural placemaking to cultivate a welcoming, safe and vibrant Downtown Austin by and for everyone.
Foundation programs are made possible through the support of charitable contributions. The Downtown Austin Alliance absorbs all overhead and administrative expenses of the Foundation, ensuring 100% of donations go directly back to the community.
We can achieve greater results with partners and supporters than we can independently, so let’s work together to create a better downtown for future generations.
reinvested into the downtown community through programmatic art and cultural placemaking since 2019
Our Initatives & Programs
Downtown Austin Space Activation
Downtown Austin Space Activation (DASA) breathes new life into vacant or underutilized spaces downtown. By partnering with property owners, businesses and stakeholders, this program creates dynamic spaces that attract foot traffic, stimulate economic activity, enhance the aesthetics of downtown and provide opportunities for entrepreneurship, inclusive prosperity and creativity to flourish.
Learn More⟶HEART Austin
The Homelessness Engagement Assistance Response Team (HEART Austin) is a program in partnership with Urban Alchemy piloting a new approach to proactively engage with and address the needs of people experiencing homelessness downtown. HEART addresses non-emergency issues, de-escalates behavioral issues, provides interventions to address or prevent mental health episodes, and connects people to social services and housing.
Learn More⟶Musicians Activating Spaces
Musicians Activating Spaces elevates Austin musicians through free-to-the-public performances. We partner with creatives and industry partners to transform public spaces into active, welcoming, and inclusive live music destinations where the power of music brings people together and invigorates community life and vibrancy downtown.
Writing on the Walls
Writing on the Walls curates collaborative public art installations and events celebrating art, diversity and public spaces in Downtown Austin, including our annual Art & Parks Tour. Launched in March 2020, the program brings artists, community members, stakeholders and partners together to drive economic growth, increase cultural understanding and cultivate a sense of belonging through public art.
Learn More⟶
Downtown Austin Parks
The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation manages, operates and programs spaces in Downtown Austin. We are stewards of Republic Square and Old Bakery Park and ensure that these spaces are clean, safe and welcoming for all to enjoy.
Republic Square
Republic Square is the People’s Park, an inspired place located along the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor where friends can connect and community is ignited. Through intentional and diverse programming, we energize this loved greenspace by bringing folks together through arts, culture, education, fitness and more.
Old Bakery Park
Old Bakery Park is a public plaza outside of the historic Old Bakery & Artisan Emporium. This quaint park near the Capitol is a prime space to celebrate the rich history of this area of Austin, from its Indigenous roots to its Swedish heritage. With its ample seating and rotating mural wall, Old Bakery Park is where art and history meet, cultural events happen and community gathers.
Signature Events
The Downtown Austin Alliance hosts signature events throughout the year, ranging from family-friendly affairs like downtown’s annual Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll to educational events like our quarterly Issues & Eggs Series, Art & Parks Tour kickoff rides, and Future of Downtown event.
Help Us Achieve Our Mission
Join us in elevating our important work of supporting underserved and underrepresented populations downtown through art and cultural placemaking by donating today.
Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation EIN: 74-2862219.