American Association of People with Disabilities
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a Washington, DC-based, national disability-led and cross-disability rights organization founded in 1995. It works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities through advocacy for civil rights, equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation.
Key facts about American Association of People with Disabilities
In short: American Association of People with Disabilities gave $380K across 52 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 52-1930174
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $380,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 52
- Average grant
- $7,308
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $11,694,292
- Primary geography
- New York (16% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- June 1, 2026, for the 2026 REV UP Organizer Grant.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$11.7M
-5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$380K
+13.8% YoY
Grant Count
52
+18.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-3.7% YoY
How American Association of People with Disabilities gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
AAPD’s stated mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities by acting as a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, and by increasing their political and economic power. Its stated work includes issue advocacy and research, voting access and civic engagement, employment, leadership development, and independent living.
In 2024, AAPD grants included support for voter engagement, disability mentoring, and public policy and research. Its grantees describe a range of work: New Disabled South says it works to improve disabled people’s lives and build disability justice and rights movements in the South; Disability Rights North Carolina says it advances and defends the rights of people with disabilities; and Paraquad says it champions equity and independence through services, partnerships, education, and advocacy. Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions address competitive employment for youth with disabilities, patients’ rights, civil and human rights, and community inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
AAPD also offers individual-focused programs. The REV UP Organizer Grant provides up to $3,000 to disabled leaders for community voter outreach. The Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award recognizes emerging leaders with disabilities and supports initiatives advancing disability rights. The NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship supports students with disabilities pursuing communications, media, or entertainment-related fields.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, AAPD reported 52 grants totaling $380,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $17,500, with a median of $7,500. Among the largest awards were $17,500 to New Disabled South for its REV UP program; $10,000 each to Bender Leadership Academy for Disability Mentoring Day and Patients Rights Action Fund for public policy and research; and $10,000 each to several organizations for REV UP programs, including Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Bucks County Center for Independent Living, Gallaudet University Center for Democracy in Deaf America, and Disability Rights North Carolina.
Review Cycle
June 1, 2026, for the 2026 REV UP Organizer Grant.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from American Association of People with Disabilities
AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award
American Association of People with Disabilities
Amount
$10,000 ($2,500 recognition + $7,500 initiative)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
American Association of People with Disabilities
Amount
~$5,625 per award (2021)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
American Association of People with Disabilities
Amount
$5,625 per recipient
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with American Association of People with Disabilities?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AAPD describes its advocacy and work as national. Its 2024 grants went to recipients across multiple states; the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were New York (16%), Washington, DC (11%), Pennsylvania (11%), New Jersey (7%), and Missouri (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 52 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2021) to $380K (2024). In 2024 it made 52 grants totaling $380K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New Disabled South ($18K). Together the top 10 received $108K.
Grant Size Distribution
125 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 125 grants of 125 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Disabled South Atlanta, GA | Rev up Program | $17,500 |
| Bender Leadership Academy Moon Township, PA | Disability Mentoring Day | $10,000 |
| Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled Inc (Bcid) Brooklyn, NY | Rev up Program | $10,000 |
| Bucks County Center for Independent Living Bensalem, PA | Rev up Program | $10,000 |
| Gallaudet Univ Center for Democracy in Deaf America Washington, DC | Rev up Program | $10,000 |
| Center for Independent Living of Central Pa (Cilcp) Harrisburg, PA | Rev up Program | $10,000 |
| CT State Independent Living Council Hartford, CT | Rev up Program | $10,000 |
| Disability Rights North Carolina Raleigh, NC | Rev up Program | $10,000 |
| Living Independently Is for Everyone (Life) at Rcil Utica, NY | Rev up Program | $10,000 |
| Paraquad Inc St. Louis, MO | Rev up Program | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,694,292 | $4,853,722 | $5,432,320 | $380,000 |
| 2023 | $12,355,414 | $3,251,770 | $3,816,139 | $334,000 |
| 2022 | $9,534,625 | $6,186,168 | $2,631,827 | $113,000 |
AAPD’s filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,694,292 | $12,355,414 | $9,534,625 |
| Revenue | $4,853,722 | $3,251,770 | $6,186,168 |
| Expenses | $5,432,320 | $3,816,139 | $2,631,827 |
| Net Investment Income | $269,516 | $148,748 | $45,759 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Susan Diegleman as chair and Joyce Bender as vice chair. It listed Edward Kennedy Jr., Eric Vaughn, Fred Maahs, Ari Ne’eman, Ricardo Thornton, John Register, and Kathleen Martinez as directors, and Michael Zullo as an at-large member.
American Association of People with Disabilities is led by Maria Town, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 6 of 31 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Maria Town
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$154K (2020) → $206K (2024)
Susan Diegleman
Chair
Secretary → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Marie Davidson
Senior Communications Director
Communications Director → Senior Communications Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$101K (2022) → $115K (2024)
Christine Liao
Senior Programs Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$120K (2024)
Jasmin Bailey
Operations Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024)
Ari Ne'eman
Director
On filings since 2020
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Kennedy Jr.
Director
Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Vaughn
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred Maahs
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Register
Director
At-Large Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Martinez
Director
Director → At-Large Member, 2023
At-Large Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenida Lewis
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Henneborn
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nora Swimm
Director
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ricardo Thornton
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dorothy Garcia
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacquelyn Puente
Director
On filings since 2021
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kr Liu
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaux Joffe
Director
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Randa
Director
On filings since 2022
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rupa Valdez
Director
On filings since 2022
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Veronica Villalobos
Director
On filings since 2022
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Mann
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jalyn Radziminski
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Ramella
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Tsang
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Gabriela Madriz
COO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$142K (2024)
Michael Lewis
Vice President of Policy
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$140K (2024)
Joyce Bender
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Zullo
At-Large Member
Director → At-Large Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Walsh III
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
1.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Judy Heumann (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lonie Haynes (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Mathis (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kelly Buckland (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Leah Katz-Hernandez (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mary P. Davis (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Tony Coelho (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Will Ris (2020–2021) — At-Large Member
- Former: James Weisman (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $206K, to Maria Town (President & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 1030 15Th Street Suite 500E, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 521-4314
Website: https://aapd.com
Frequently asked questions about American Association of People with Disabilities
How much does American Association of People with Disabilities give each year?
American Association of People with Disabilities gave $380K across 52 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $334K across 44 grants.
What is American Association of People with Disabilities's typical grant size?
American Association of People with Disabilities's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $7,308, across 52 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does American Association of People with Disabilities give grants?
American Association of People with Disabilities's top state is New York, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (11%) and Pennsylvania (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (6 grants), St. Louis, MO (3 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Denver, CO (2 grants).
Does American Association of People with Disabilities give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 52 grants with a stated purpose on American Association of People with Disabilities's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Rev up Program" (49 grants).
Who are American Association of People with Disabilities's largest grantees?
American Association of People with Disabilities's largest 2024 grantees include New Disabled South ($17,500), Bender Leadership Academy ($10,000) and Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled Inc (Bcid) ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is American Association of People with Disabilities?
American Association of People with Disabilities reported $11.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.9M.
What does American Association of People with Disabilities fund?
AAPD’s stated mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities by acting as a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, and by increasing their political and economic power. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Association of People with Disabilities?
American Association of People with Disabilities has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check aapd.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is American Association of People with Disabilities's EIN?
American Association of People with Disabilities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1930174. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching American Association of People with Disabilities by hand.
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