Grants for Autism Programs

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.

Since the early 1990s, the number of children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen markedly. The uncertainty regarding the cause of this increase and the pressing need for medical and educational services among this growing number of children has created a substantial level of concern among researchers, educators, policy makers, advocacy groups and the general public.

The Autism CARES Act of 2019 authorized CDC to continue conducting epidemiological studies of ASD among children and the federal budget includes money for CDC to conduct ASD surveillance and research. Accurate and current data continue to be urgently needed, and CDC and its public health partners continue to provide the best available community-level estimates of ASD prevalence, progress in early ASD detection, along with other critical information regarding the characteristics, co-occurring conditions, and functional level of children with ASD. Previous data have suggested that current ASD identification varies by sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. Therefore, data from these subgroups and from diverse communities provide valuable information about whether previously observed disparities in ASD identification continue to persist.

These findings can be used to develop policies, measure progress in timely ASD detection and service provision, and inform programs--such as Learn the Signs. Act Early. -- to improve health equity. There has been substantial interest among ASD stakeholders in obtaining more information on the characteristics of ASD among adolescents, including services related to the transition to adulthood. In response, the ADDM Network began monitoring ASD among 16-year-old children that were previously ascertained by ADDM at age 8 in some sites. Data collected by the ADDM Network can provide unique population-based information on transition planning, the planned trajectory (e.g., employment, independent living, education) for the immediate post-high school years, as well as detailed data on the changing situation (diagnostic practices, child characteristics, services available) of persons with ASD as children grow. This will be the 6th funding cycle for ADDM Network activities.

During the previous cycle, the ADDM Network underwent several extensive changes and modernization efforts to improve the program’s timeliness, efficiency, and focus on public health practice. Notably, it resulted in the expanded data collection of early ASD identification among 4-year-olds to all ADDM sites, monitoring 16-year-olds with ASD at some sites, and expanded the types of data sources that can be integrated into the ADDM Network (such as Medicaid and/or early childhood data systems).

In awarding the research grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of  developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a disability,  education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education).

The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. In awarding research training grant programs, IES aims to prepare individuals to conduct rigorous and relevant education and special education research that advances knowledge within the field and addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners. Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing four research competitions through two of its centers:

The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is announcing two competitions--one competition in each of the following areas: education research training and using longitudinal data to support State education policymaking. The IES National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is announcing two competitions—one competition in each of the following areas: special education research and special education research training. NCSER Competitions The Special Education Research Competition (ALN 84.324A). Under this competition, NCSER encourages a broad range of research, including studies that may have more than one research focus (such as reading and behavior) and may focus broadly on students with disabilities or on a particular disability (such as autism spectrum disorders).

The range of research supported through this program includes, but is not limited to, programs to improve child development and school readiness; academic and/or behavioral interventions; instructional practices and/or professional development programs for teachers and other school-based personnel; strategies for improving the family support and engagement critical to the success of students with disabilities; policies and systems-level interventions and programs to address school finance, school-community collaborations, or school structures that affect educational progress for students with disabilities; transition from secondary school to postsecondary education, career, and/or independent living; as well as access to, persistence in, and completion of postsecondary education. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324A.

Autism Speaks funds programs that provide people with autism with social and educational experiences.

Through the bi-annual Norma and Malcolm Baker Recreation Program, Autism Speaks funds grants that identify and support innovative community programs for people with autism of all ages.

Funding supports recreational programs demonstrating the ability to:

• Reach a wide age range of individuals on the spectrum
• Have true, measurable impact on the lives of those who participate and their loved ones
• Grow and replicate best practices with other partners in their community, state, or region within the following categories of service delivery:
• Adult Services – recreation/respite specifically for adults focusing on life, health and community
• Employment – finding and maintaining meaningful employment with skills to succeed in the workplace
• Physical Fitness and Sports – athletics and team sports, health and wellness programs
• Summer Camps– day/overnight programs offering therapeutic activities, sports, arts and technology
• Swimming and Water Safety – swimming and water safety specifically for individuals with autism  

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted.

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