First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin makes space available for rent to members of the congregation, non-profit organizations, and members of the greater Austin community. The core functions of First UU will have first priority on the use of facilities.
Further prioritization of facility use will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click the Below Links to be Taken to the Corresponding Section:
Rental Information
Payment & Payment Options
Room Information
Church Facility Information
Rental Liability

Building Closures

Available Spaces to Rent*

The Sanctuary at First UU Austin

First UU’s Sanctuary
$225 per hour (3 hour minimum)
$100 per hour for additional rehearsal time (3 hour minimum and must be on a separate day)
The standard setup for the sanctuary is a mix of chairs and pews with a maximum capacity of 400.

First UU Austin’s Howson Hall

Howson Hall
$175 per hour (3 hour minimum)
Up to 12 tables with chairs: maximum seating capacity of 96
Chairs only (theater style): maximum capacity of 120 seats
Standing: maximum capacity of 200

Classrooms (13, 15, 17)
$50 per hour per room for half room (2 hour minimum per day)
$75 per hour per room for entire room (2 hour minimum per day)
Standard setup in the classrooms is 3 tables with 15 chairs per each half
Chairs only: maximum 25 seats in each half
Standing: maximum 50 per each half

Room 11 (Youth Room)
$50 per hour (2 hour minimum per day)
Standard setup of Room 11 is informal with various couches
Seated capacity: 15
Standing: 25

Nursery (19, 21, 23)
$50 per hour per room (2 hour minimum per day)
Capacity varies on the age of the children being cared for in the room(s).

Church Sexton
$50 per hour
The church Sexton is a required addition for rentals (some exceptions apply)
A Sexton is an event liaison that represents the church and is available for the duration of non-church events. This is in case the renter has questions, requires assistance, or in the case of an emergency. The Sexton provides the following services:
· Opening & closing the building
· Turning on lights
· Climate control
· Assuring all equipment specified in the rental agreement is available
· Ensuring restrooms are properly stocked and prepared for your event
· Assisting with power to AV equipment and microphones
· Available to answer questions about using First UU’s facilities

For memorial services, the Sexton is available (upon request) to assist with AV equipment, playing the music over our AV system, and adjusting microphones during the service.

Examples of services not performed by the Sexton: setup, moving tables, chairs, and other furniture, food prep or food service, throwing out trash, reset, or cleaning. The fulfillment of these fall to the responsibility of the renter.

A Sexton is required for ALL non-member rentals outside of office hours (Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). The Sexton requirement will be evaluated on a per case basis for rentals held during office hours and for all First UU member rentals for non-church events.

Areas Available as Additions to Rentals

First UU Austin’s Kitchen

Kitchen
Shared (other groups may use it at the same time): $75 for a 4 hour event and $25 per hour for each additional hour
Exclusive (only your group will be using the space): $125 for a 4 hour event and $25 per hour for each additional hour

First UU Austin’s Gallery

Gallery
$100 per hour (2 hour minimum per day)

Toddler Playground
Shared: No fee
Exclusive: $50 per hour
Capacity varies based on the age of the children

Children’s Playground
Shared: No fee
Exclusive: $30 per hour
Capacity varies based on the age of the children

Courtyard
$50 per hour
Standing capacity: 75

Additional Rental Options

Parking
Fee is determined on a per case basis

Filming
Fee is determined on a per case basis

Discounts Offered*

*(Discounts apply to room rental only)
First UU Member (non-church event): 25% (cannot be combined with 501(c)3 discount)
501(c)3 Non-Profit: 20% discount (cannot be combined with member discount) To be eligible for this discount, renter must provide proof of current 501(c)3 status at the time the signed contract and payment are due
Recurring Rental: Additional 15% discount
To be eligible for the Recurring Rental discount there must be a single contract that includes a minimum of six (6) reservations on separate dates within one (1) calendar year with a minimum of two (2) hours each date
Payment-In-Full: Additional 5% discount (Does not apply to reservations made fewer than 45 days in advance)

Payments and Payment Methods

Accepted Methods of Payment
ACH and Debit/Credit Card
payments through our secure payment Site
Check & Money Order – Accepted in person or by mail. For returned checks, there will be a $30 fee and the reservation is subject to cancellation. Late payments are subject to a late fee of $30 per week that payment is past due
Cash – Accepted in person only

Down Payment
In order to hold a reservation, the contract must be signed by both parties, and a non-refundable down payment paid. For one-time rentals $350 is required. The down payment for recurring rentals is 25% of the total contract amount. All down payments are applied toward the total amount due

Remaining Balance/Payment-In-Full
Payment in full is due for reservations may fewer than 45 days in advance. After a deposit has been made, final payment it due 30 days prior to the scheduled event. For recurring rentals, final payment is due before the first reservation date. Exceptions to this payment plan must be in writing by the Congregational Administrator, Shannon Posern.

Additional Charges
Renter agrees to leave the area(s) rented as clean, orderly, and in good repair as they were found when Renter entered the premises. Renter is responsible for cleaning tables, removing trash and debris, resetting the room to the standard setup, and any damages caused by the Renter or guests of the Renter. In the event that additional charges are applied for non-compliance or damages, the Renter will be invoiced and responsible for payment within fourteen (14) business days from the event date.
Renter agrees to not occupy any room(s) outside of reservation time, nor any room(s) not specified on the rental contract.
-Extended Time(ET): ET is additional time needed before or after the times listed in the rental contract. If additional time is needed, prior arrangements including a signed revised contract and payment for the ET, must be made prior to the day of your event. If rental rates increase since the time the contract was signed, the rates listed on the contract will be honored.
– Unauthorized Extended Time (UET): UET is arriving before or staying past the time listed on the rental contract. The renter will be invoiced for any UET at 200% the full rental rate and is responsible for payment within fourteen (14) business days from the event date.

Cancelations & Rescheduling
The down payment for any rental is non-refundable. In the event of a cancelation or rescheduling by the Renter at least thirty (30) days prior to the contracted event, any additional payments received (beyond the down payment) will be refunded. If the cancelation or rescheduling is fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the contracted event, the Renter is responsible for the full rental. The down payment will not be refunded and if final payment has not been made, the Renter will be invoiced for the remaining balance, which will be due to First UU within fourteen (14) business days.
In the case of a cancelation by First UU, the following policies apply:
– If the cancelation is due to failure to submit a Certificate of Liability Insurance, all payments made by the renter are non-refundable.
– If the cancelation is due to weather (First UU follows the Austin Independent School District closure schedule), the down payment and any other payments made will not be returned to the Renter, but the renter may reschedule the event within the next twelve (12) months.
– If First UU must cancel the event at no fault of the Renter (outside of a weather condition cancelation), the Renter is entitled to a full refund of all payments received. The Renter may alternately reschedule the event for another time within twelve (12) months.

Room Information
(Assignment, Setup/Reset, Equipment, Etc)

First UU reserves the right to change room assignment previous to an event based on such circumstances as: noise level, number of people, repairs, etc. The Church will notify you by email of the change if it occurs more than 48 hours prior to the event date. If the change happens within 48 hours, the Church will notify you by email and attempt to make contact by phone once. Changes are noted on the digital signboard in the Welcome Center. It is recommended that the Renter check the signboard or online calendar when first arriving to confirm room assignment. For rooms that do now have comparable alternate locations, such as Howson Hall or the Sanctuary, the Church will contact you with as much notice as possible to discuss rescheduling.

Each room has a standard setup (see list below). The Renter is welcome to set a room however best serves the needs of the event. However, the Renter is responsible for setting up the room and for cleaning and resetting the room back to standard before vacating. Not returning the room to the original setup and condition will result in additional fees. Fees will vary based on the condition of the room.

Tables and chairs provided with standard setup:
Additional tables and chairs are available upon request
Howson Hall
11 – 72″ White Folding Tables
3 – 48″ White Folding Tables
64 Chairs

Classrooms
3 – 72″ White Folding Tables (6 if rental is entire room)
15 Chairs (30 if rental is entire room)

Renter will notify the Congregational Administrator if additional tables and/or chairs are needed at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the event. Renter agrees to not move chairs/tables/items from other rooms without prior approval.

Requests for Equipment
Requests for equipment with rental fees (see available equipment and fees below) should be included on the initial rental contract. If contract has already been signed, please contact the Congregational Administrator at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event date to ensure availability of equipment. A revised contract reflecting additional fees must be signed and returned with payment prior to the event date. Last minute requests will require immediate payment in order for equipment to be used. Invoicing is not available for last minute requests.

Equipment Offered with Additional Fees:
Handheld Wireless Microphone – $25 per microphone
2 available for use in Howson Hall or the Sanctuary

Projector – $50
Howson Hall – Mounted (speakers available)
Sanctuary – Portable (no speaker connection available)

Steinway Grand Piano – $50
Sanctuary Only

No food or drinks are allowed in the Sanctuary or Sanctuary foyer.
Alcohol: Consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted for social functions, but the sale of alcoholic beverages, including a donation-based exchange, is strictly prohibited. If alcohol is served, it must be monitored against minors drinking and the office must have on file, in advance, a contact name of someone in attendance who is officially responsible for monitoring the bar and for taking responsibility for the sobriety of guests. Please note that no food or drinks are allowed in the Sanctuary or Sanctuary foyer.

Church Facilities Information

Use of Common Areas
First UU agrees that common (non-exclusive) areas including hallways, parking lots*, and bathrooms, shall be available for use by the Renter. Renter understands that there may be other activities in the building that may share these common areas during the Renter’s usage. Utilities, including air conditioning and heating shall be provided for indoor rentals.
*Rental fees apply for exclusive use of a parking lot or parking spaces. Rental fees for parking are determined based on the dates, time, and number of spaces needed.

Use of Non-Common Areas
The kitchen, courtyard, gardens, and playgrounds are not considered common areas, and use of them must be noted in the rental contract.

Kitchen
Options for reserving/renting the kitchen:
Shared – gives you access to use the kitchen but other church groups or renters will also have access to the kitchen. Renter will need to make sure not to monopolize the kitchen work spaces and sinks.
Exclusive – gives you exclusive access to the kitchen, so that all counters and sinks may be used for your event. Rental fees apply for both options.

Kitchen Items: Special request items require prior approval and must be listed on the rental contract. Fees may apply to special request items and are determined on a per case basis. The following list outlines what is included, special request, and excluded from a rental of the kitchen.
Included:
Counters, Sinks, Microwave
Special Request:
Stove Top and Oven (for reheating only – food must be fully prepared prior to arriving to First UU)
Plates, Cups, Utensils (renter is responsible for washing, drying, and putting away all items used)
Pots, Pans, Serving Dishes (renter is responsible for washing, drying, and putting away all items used)
Excluded:
Refrigerators (cold items should be brought and stored in coolers)
Coffee Machines
Linens
Other Kitchen Equipment not listed above in Included or Special Request
The renter is responsible for cleaning the kitchen after use. Please do not leave any food, drinks, or paper items in the kitchen after an event.

Courtyards & Gardens
Courtyards and Gardens are available to rent for outdoor events or to provide additional area for gathering at your event. Rental fees are not pre-set and are based on the event and how the space will be used.

Playgrounds
There are two (2) playgrounds available. The toddler playground is for ages 2 – 4 and the children’s playground is 4+. Children should be supervised at all times. Options for reserving/renting the playgrounds:
Shared – gives you access to the playground but the playground is open for other church groups or renters to use. This option is not available for classes or large groups.
Exclusive – gives you exclusive access to the chosen playground(s). If another group attempts to use the playground, you may let them know that you have rented the playground for exclusive use and provide them the times you will be using the playground. Rental fees apply for exclusive use.

Conduct of Renters
Renter agrees to not hang items or alter rooms with nails, packing or duct tape(masking tape is preferred), or any other permanently damaging method. Food service is restricted to the room rented and Renter is responsible for cleaning up all food, drink, and spills. Please note that food and drinks are prohibited from the Sanctuary and Sanctuary foyer. Please leave the room in a condition ready for the next renter, including properly cleaned white boards (there are cleaning kits available in each room with necessary safe cleaning products). Fragranced candles, incense, or air-borne aromas may not be used and matches may not be stored or left in any classrooms. Pianos are not to be played unless specified in the contract beforehand.

Lost and Found
The office maintains a lost and found bin in the mailroom but is not responsible for items Renters may leave behind. Items will be donated to local charity after 30 days. Send inquiries about lost and found items to info@austinuu.org.

Childcare
Renters understand that childcare is their responsibility, and agree to provide care for their children during the term of the reservation, limiting care to rooms specified in the contract. Renter will care for children, being mindful of others in the building – hallways may not be used as play areas. Children under the age of 18 may not be left unsupervised at any time. Furthermore, no children may use the playgrounds without adequate, constant adult supervision, and First UU disclaims any liability for use of the playgrounds in violation of these provisions. The playgrounds may be used only if approved in the contract. For church-sponsored groups, childcare may be requested via email, childcare@austinuu.org. Childcare requires fourteen (14) days advance notice of need.

Publicity
Renter may identify First UU in promoting the activity but Renter agrees that it will not imply or state that First UU is sponsoring the activity. Advertising such as fliers, newspaper ads, and website/social media must provide the Renter’s contact information, not First UU’s. Renter agrees not to list any church information such as phone number, email addresses, etc. Our Name and Address may be used in advertisement when listed as the venue. No posting of fliers, banners, or signs is permitted in the church or on the grounds.

Renter Liability

Default/Damages
If Renter finds something broken or amiss, please call the church office (512) 452-6168 extension 1313 before you activity occurs so that we have a record of the time the damage was reported. As mentioned in the Additional Charges above, the Renter further agrees to reimburse First UU for any other items (including food) consumed or destroyed by Renter or their guests. In the event First UU must retain a lawyer to collect on unpaid rent, Renter agrees to be responsible for attorney’s fees.

Indemnity
Renter shall indemnify First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin and its agents, members, and employees from all suits, actions, or claims of any character, type, or description brought, made for, or on account of any injuries, death, or damages received by Renter, Renter’s employees, agents, members, guests, or any property possessed by the Renter, Renter’s employees, agents, members, or guests which may arise out of or be occasioned by the acts of First UU, its agents, members, or employees in the execution and performance of this contract or the presence of the Renter, Renter’s employees, agents, members, or guests on property owned and operated by First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin whether or not caused by the negligence of First UU, its agents, members, or employees.

Certificate of Insurance
Paid renters are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance (CoI) covering their event and attendees at First UU for the date and duration of the event(s). The CoI should be submitted via email or received by the Congregational Administrator, Shannon Posern, at least ten (10) days prior to the event date (or first event date for recurring rentals). Failing to submit the CoI by the deadline will result in cancelation of the event and all payments forfeited.

Building Closures

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin is closed for the following holidays:
· New Year’s Day
· Martin Luther King Day
· President’s Day
· Memorial Day
· Independence Day (the Fourth of July)
· Labor Day
· Thanksgiving Day
· Friday after Thanksgiving Day
· Winter Holidays (Typically the Friday before Christmas – December 25 – until January 2)

Occasionally there will be closures on a day other than an official holiday. In case of inclement weather, First UU follows Austin Independent School District (AISD)’s schedule for closings and delayed openings.