Foundation FAQs

What is the purpose of the Mueller Foundation?

The Mueller Foundation exists to sustain affordable housing at Mueller and to support the social goals of the Mueller neighborhood with an emphasis on quality education and sustainability in Central and Northeast Austin schools and neighborhoods.

Using a model of civic entrepreneurship, the intent is to leverage the work of proven organizations and programs aligned with the mission of the Mueller Foundation and willing to support of Mueller’s role as a laboratory of best practices and source of knowledge for a lasting and positive impact beyond the neighborhood itself.

What is the focus of giving for the Mueller Foundation?

The primary focus areas are affordability, education and sustainable neighborhoods:

Affordability

Mueller Shared Appreciation Housing Program
Sustainable affordability
Personal/family financial education

Quality Education

Education (primarily children from pre-school through 8th grade)
Pre-school and after-school youth
Mentoring and tutoring
Career, college and workforce preparation
Art and culture

Sustainable Neighborhoods

Natural resources
Recreation, parks, amenities, open spaces, trails
Life-long wellness/fitness/recreation
Diverse and sustainable communities

Who gets the money?

The overwhelming majority of funds go to support the Affordable Housing Program
Monies due to the seller of an affordable home

Additional subsidies necessary to keep the home in the affordable program
Any monies necessary to prepare the home to sell to another affordable homeowner such as replacing carpet, repainting, refinishing cabinets, etc.

A small amount of money goes to Austin-area organizations that support education and sustainable neighborhoods in and around the Mueller Development
- The Mueller Foundation offers $500 grants to Austin-area organizations that focus on affordability, education and/or sustainable neighborhoods

What is the source of funds in the Mueller Foundation?

Funds flow to the Mueller Foundation as a donor-advised fund of the Austin Community Foundation from three sources:

Sales: Whenever property within the Mueller community sells, whether residential or commercial, there is a fee included in each real estate transaction as one incoming source of funds. The fee is one-quarter of one percent of the total transaction amount for all transactions, regardless of how many times the property may be sold over time.
Housing: Proceeds related to the development’s affordable housing program.
Gifts: Contributions by the master developer and its project partners.

Where can we find the audit information about the Foundation?

$47m

value captured to ensure home affordability

583

affordable homes sold

742

households served