Community Grants

The goal of the Autism Speaks Family Services Community Grant Program is to facilitate the expansion of services for individuals with autism and work collectively to more effectively serve this growing community. There are many great organizations doing remarkable work and improving the quality of life for our children, youth and families. The Community Grants Program brings attention and resources to these services for the benefit of the global autism community.

Autism Speaks Canada will be developing a Canadian Community Grants Program in the near future, but until that time, Canadian organizations and agencies are invited and encouraged to submit applications to Autism Speaks (U.S.) for funding consideration.

The deadline for the next round of grant applications is June 25, 2009.
Click here for more information.

Funding Priorities

Recognizing that there are multiple needs in the expansive and varied autism community, the focus of the Autism Speaks Family Services Community Grants Program is on proposals that aim to help build the field of services for individuals with autism and expand the capacity to effectively serve this growing community. Organizations interested in submitting an application must address one of the four areas of need. Successful applicants will apply grant funding to support new programs or the expansion of existing projects.

Education

Building the field and expanding the scope of educators and trainers, by providing continuing education and training to those working directly with individuals with autism spectrum disorders
Providing funding for consultation and hands-on training to improve education for individuals with autism
Providing funding to increase the capacity of service providers
Sponsoring conferences that provide several sessions of training and hands-on opportunities to demonstrate knowledge
Training professionals to interact more effectively with individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Recreation/Community Activities

Social skills training that provides peer modeling and inclusion with typically developing peers
Recreation and athletic programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Equipment/Supportive Technology

Augmentative communication devices (for schools or agencies, not individuals)
Software to enhance communication (for schools and agencies, not individuals)
Assistive technology (for schools and agencies, not individuals)

Young Adult/Adult Services

Pre-vocational and vocational training
Transition planning
Residential services
Recreation programs for adults
Life/community integration skills