Grants for Autism Programs
Grants for Nonprofit Autism Programs in the United States
Are you wondering what funders offer grants to support autism programs? This compiled list of grants for autism programs will help you start finding funding for your 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Get even more grants to support autism programs by starting a 14-day free trial of Instrumentl.
21 Grants for autism programs in the United States for your nonprofit
From private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.
13
Grants for Autism Programs over $5K in average grant size
4
Grants for Autism Programs supporting general operating expenses
15
Grants for Autism Programs supporting programs / projects
Grants for Autism Programs by location
Africa
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Georgia (US state)
Guam
Haiti
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
View More
Explore grants for your nonprofit:
Rolling deadline
Hearst Foundations Grants
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
US $30,000 - US $200,000
Hearst Foundations' Mission
The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and inspiring lives.
Hearst Foundations' Goals
The Foundations seek to achieve their mission by funding approaches that result in:
- Improved health and quality of life
- Access to high quality educational options to promote increased academic achievement
- Arts and sciences serving as a cornerstone of society
- Sustainable employment and productive career paths for adults
- Stabilizing and supporting families
Funding Priorities
The Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of interests – culture, education, health and social service – and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.
Culture
The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those which enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent.
Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support
Education
The Hearst Foundations fund educational institutions demonstrating uncommon success in preparing students to thrive in a global society. The Foundations’ focus is largely on higher education, but they also fund innovative models of early childhood and K-12 education, as well as professional development.
Types of Support: Program, scholarship, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support
Health
The Hearst Foundations assist leading regional hospitals, medical centers and specialized medical institutions providing access to high-quality healthcare for low-income populations. In response to the shortage of healthcare professionals necessary to meet the country’s evolving needs, the Foundations also fund programs designed to enhance skills and increase the number of practitioners and educators across roles in healthcare. Because the Foundations seek to use their funds to create a broad and enduring impact on the nation’s health, support for medical research and the development of young investigators is also considered.
Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, endowment support
Social Service
The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.
Types of Support: Program, capital and general support
Rolling deadline
Karma Foundation Grants
Karma Foundation
US $500 - US $25,000
About the Karma Foundation
Established in 1996 to provide grants in support of organizations engaged in activities and programs in the areas of Arts & Culture, Autism, Education & Literacy, Health & Human Services and Development & Enrichment of Jewish Life.
Applications dueOct 6, 2023
Service Provider Grants: Local Impact Grants
Autism Speaks
Up to US $5,000
NOTE: The timeline for our Local Impact Grant has not yet been released for the 2023 grant cycle. We will share more information once it is finalized.
Since 2013, the Autism Speaks Local Impact Grant Program has awarded over $3.6 million to 750 organizations across the country and served tens of thousands of people with autism, their caregivers and families, teachers, therapists and neurotypical peers.
The Autism Speaks Local Impact Grant Program accepts applications from non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations for grant awards up to $5,000.
The objective of the Autism Speaks Local Impact Grants is three-fold:
- to promote local services that enhance the lives of those affected by autism spectrum disorders
- to expand the capacity to effectively serve the ASD community
- to increase the field of national service providers
Autism Speaks places a significant emphasis on the product or deliverable of each proposal to benefit the autism community beyond those participating in the program. Deliverables include videos, manuals and curricula that may be shared on the Autism Speaks website for the broader community. In addition, Autism Speaks seeks to ensure proposals provide opportunities for individuals with varying levels of need. Careful consideration will also be given to applications that specifically address the needs of underserved communities - which can include rural towns, non-English speaking populations, and other vulnerable groups.
The grant period is seven-nine months, beginning once the check is received.
Grant Categories
We provide funding to support programs at existing organizations in the following categories:
- Education
- o Building the field and scope of educators and other professionals who support individuals with autism, by providing continuing education and training
- Providing funding for consultation and hands on training to improve educational programs for individuals with autism
- Providing a specific service such as ABA, legal service, etc. to people with autism and the community
- Recreation/Community Activities
- Social skills training to provide peer modeling and inclusion with age-matched, typically developing peers; social learning; social relatedness; social awareness; and social communication. We fund both integrated and non-integrated programming.
- Recreation and athletic programs
- Equine programs
- Museums, arts, dance, music programs
- Young Adult/Adult Services
- Pre-vocational and vocational training
- Transition planning
- Residential services
- Recreation programs specifically for adults
- Life/Community integration skills
- Health/Safety
- Sensory Equipment/Supportive Technology
- iPads
- Smartboards
- Sensory equipment (occupational therapy equipment, toys, etc.)
- Equine therapy equipment
Applications dueOct 15, 2023
Open Applications: Local Community Grants
Wal Mart Foundation
US $250 - US $5,000
Walmart’s more than 2 million associates are residents, neighbors, friends and family in thousands of communities around the globe. Walmart works to strengthen these communities through both retail business and community giving, and we support and invest in communities through local giving. The following programs have open application processes with specific deadlines for eligibility and consideration.
Local Community Grants
Each year, our U.S. stores and clubs award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where we operate. They include a variety of organizations, such as animal shelters, elder services and community clean-up projects.
Areas of Funding
- There are eight (8) areas of funding for which an organization can apply. Please review the areas listed below to ensure your organization’s goals fall within one of these areas.
- Community and Economic Development: Improving local communities for the benefit of low-income individuals and families in the local service area
- Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering the building of relationships and understanding among diverse groups in the local service area
- Education: Providing afterschool enrichment, tutoring or vocational training for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
- Environmental Sustainability: Preventing waste, increasing recycling, or supporting other programs that work to improve the environment in the local service area
- Health and Human Service: Providing medical screening, treatment, social services, or shelters for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
- Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating: Providing Federal or charitable meals/snacks for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
- Public Safety: Supporting public safety programs through training programs or equipment in the local service area
- Quality of Life: Improving access to recreation, arts or cultural experiences for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
Applications dueNov 11, 2023
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
US $1,000 - US $20,000
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant
The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.
Applications dueApr 21, 2024
Color the Spectrum Community Grants
Next For Autism Inc
Up to US $25,000
At NEXT for AUTISM, we believe that autistic voices should be at the center of creating solutions for the autism community. Lived experiences are a crucial component of meeting needs and driving services forward.
NEXT is excited to offer a second funding cycle for autistic led and centered organizations and initiatives. Community grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to support the transition from school to adulthood in the following three areas: home, work and social.
The application categories for the Color the Spectrum Community Grants include:
Home: Thousands of autistic adults are in need of quality living environments. Grants in this focus area should address the need to design and/or develop and maintain high quality living environments for adults with autism.
Work: Autistic individuals experience under and unemployment. Grants to address this area should address the need for autistic adults to gain and retain paid employment.
Social: Disconnection and isolation are not uncommon for autistic adults. Grants focused in this area should support autistic adults to make connections, build relationships, and establish friendships.
An organization may also have a grant that serves multiples of these categories.
Grants for Autism Programs over $5K in average grant size
Grants for Autism Programs supporting general operating expenses
Grants for Autism Programs supporting programs / projects
Hearst Foundations Grants
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Hearst Foundations' Mission
The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and inspiring lives.
Hearst Foundations' Goals
The Foundations seek to achieve their mission by funding approaches that result in:
- Improved health and quality of life
- Access to high quality educational options to promote increased academic achievement
- Arts and sciences serving as a cornerstone of society
- Sustainable employment and productive career paths for adults
- Stabilizing and supporting families
Funding Priorities
The Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of interests – culture, education, health and social service – and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.
Culture
The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those which enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent.
Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support
Education
The Hearst Foundations fund educational institutions demonstrating uncommon success in preparing students to thrive in a global society. The Foundations’ focus is largely on higher education, but they also fund innovative models of early childhood and K-12 education, as well as professional development.
Types of Support: Program, scholarship, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support
Health
The Hearst Foundations assist leading regional hospitals, medical centers and specialized medical institutions providing access to high-quality healthcare for low-income populations. In response to the shortage of healthcare professionals necessary to meet the country’s evolving needs, the Foundations also fund programs designed to enhance skills and increase the number of practitioners and educators across roles in healthcare. Because the Foundations seek to use their funds to create a broad and enduring impact on the nation’s health, support for medical research and the development of young investigators is also considered.
Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, endowment support
Social Service
The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.
Types of Support: Program, capital and general support
Karma Foundation Grants
Karma Foundation
About the Karma Foundation
Established in 1996 to provide grants in support of organizations engaged in activities and programs in the areas of Arts & Culture, Autism, Education & Literacy, Health & Human Services and Development & Enrichment of Jewish Life.
Service Provider Grants: Local Impact Grants
Autism Speaks
NOTE: The timeline for our Local Impact Grant has not yet been released for the 2023 grant cycle. We will share more information once it is finalized.
Since 2013, the Autism Speaks Local Impact Grant Program has awarded over $3.6 million to 750 organizations across the country and served tens of thousands of people with autism, their caregivers and families, teachers, therapists and neurotypical peers.
The Autism Speaks Local Impact Grant Program accepts applications from non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations for grant awards up to $5,000.
The objective of the Autism Speaks Local Impact Grants is three-fold:
- to promote local services that enhance the lives of those affected by autism spectrum disorders
- to expand the capacity to effectively serve the ASD community
- to increase the field of national service providers
Autism Speaks places a significant emphasis on the product or deliverable of each proposal to benefit the autism community beyond those participating in the program. Deliverables include videos, manuals and curricula that may be shared on the Autism Speaks website for the broader community. In addition, Autism Speaks seeks to ensure proposals provide opportunities for individuals with varying levels of need. Careful consideration will also be given to applications that specifically address the needs of underserved communities - which can include rural towns, non-English speaking populations, and other vulnerable groups.
The grant period is seven-nine months, beginning once the check is received.
Grant Categories
We provide funding to support programs at existing organizations in the following categories:
- Education
- o Building the field and scope of educators and other professionals who support individuals with autism, by providing continuing education and training
- Providing funding for consultation and hands on training to improve educational programs for individuals with autism
- Providing a specific service such as ABA, legal service, etc. to people with autism and the community
- Recreation/Community Activities
- Social skills training to provide peer modeling and inclusion with age-matched, typically developing peers; social learning; social relatedness; social awareness; and social communication. We fund both integrated and non-integrated programming.
- Recreation and athletic programs
- Equine programs
- Museums, arts, dance, music programs
- Young Adult/Adult Services
- Pre-vocational and vocational training
- Transition planning
- Residential services
- Recreation programs specifically for adults
- Life/Community integration skills
- Health/Safety
- Sensory Equipment/Supportive Technology
- iPads
- Smartboards
- Sensory equipment (occupational therapy equipment, toys, etc.)
- Equine therapy equipment
Open Applications: Local Community Grants
Wal Mart Foundation
Walmart’s more than 2 million associates are residents, neighbors, friends and family in thousands of communities around the globe. Walmart works to strengthen these communities through both retail business and community giving, and we support and invest in communities through local giving. The following programs have open application processes with specific deadlines for eligibility and consideration.
Local Community Grants
Each year, our U.S. stores and clubs award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where we operate. They include a variety of organizations, such as animal shelters, elder services and community clean-up projects.
Areas of Funding
- There are eight (8) areas of funding for which an organization can apply. Please review the areas listed below to ensure your organization’s goals fall within one of these areas.
- Community and Economic Development: Improving local communities for the benefit of low-income individuals and families in the local service area
- Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering the building of relationships and understanding among diverse groups in the local service area
- Education: Providing afterschool enrichment, tutoring or vocational training for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
- Environmental Sustainability: Preventing waste, increasing recycling, or supporting other programs that work to improve the environment in the local service area
- Health and Human Service: Providing medical screening, treatment, social services, or shelters for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
- Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating: Providing Federal or charitable meals/snacks for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
- Public Safety: Supporting public safety programs through training programs or equipment in the local service area
- Quality of Life: Improving access to recreation, arts or cultural experiences for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant
The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.
Color the Spectrum Community Grants
Next For Autism Inc
At NEXT for AUTISM, we believe that autistic voices should be at the center of creating solutions for the autism community. Lived experiences are a crucial component of meeting needs and driving services forward.
NEXT is excited to offer a second funding cycle for autistic led and centered organizations and initiatives. Community grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to support the transition from school to adulthood in the following three areas: home, work and social.
The application categories for the Color the Spectrum Community Grants include:
Home: Thousands of autistic adults are in need of quality living environments. Grants in this focus area should address the need to design and/or develop and maintain high quality living environments for adults with autism.
Work: Autistic individuals experience under and unemployment. Grants to address this area should address the need for autistic adults to gain and retain paid employment.
Social: Disconnection and isolation are not uncommon for autistic adults. Grants focused in this area should support autistic adults to make connections, build relationships, and establish friendships.
An organization may also have a grant that serves multiples of these categories.
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