Learning Disabilities Foundation of America Grant Program

Learning Disabilities Foundation of America Grant Program

Funder: Learning Disabilities Foundation of America (LDFA)
Website: ldfamerica.org
Next Deadline: September 15, 2026
Recurrence: Twice per year (semi-annual)

Grant Philosophy

Applications must be for projects which conform to the mission of LDFA by responding to an unmet need in the field of learning disabilities. Funds are granted for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes or for the identification, ongoing evaluation, education of and services for children and adults with learning disabilities.

Eligible Project Areas

• Innovative research into the causes, prevention and/or alleviation of learning disabilities
• Distinctive public awareness programs to advance public understanding of the needs of persons with learning disabilities
• Innovative programs to advance the achievement of persons with learning disabilities, increase the support skills of their families, support academic and professional advisors, and enhance the understanding of learning disabilities by colleagues and employers

Funding Preferences

• Preference given to: Projects of national impact and projects that may be replicated

What LDFA Will NOT Fund

• Routine organizational expenses (e.g., salaries, overhead)
• Capital campaigns
• Endowment funds
• Grants to individuals or for individual scholarships
• Exception: Certain funds restricted for use by the Learning Disabilities Association of America

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be: An organization within the United States or any of its possessions
• Tax-exempt status required: Must be exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code
• Tax deductibility: Contributions to the organization must be tax deductible

Grant Administration

• Board Review: Grant applications are considered twice each year by the Foundation Board of Managers
• Additional Requirements: The Board of Managers may request an interview with the primary facilitator and/or site visit, in addition to the written grant application
• Grant Period: All grants in which conditions have not been met by the end of the grant period shall expire unless otherwise granted an extension
• Reporting: Progress and Final reports must be submitted on the Progress/Final Report Form (due dates per the Grant Agreement terms)
• Financial Accountability: Full financial accounting of expenditures must be provided in the final grant report
• Unexpended Funds: Any un-expended funds must be returned to the Foundation within 60 days of completion of the project
• Grant Terms: Recipients are expected to adhere closely to the stipulated terms of the signed grant agreement and the program described in the application
• Results: Grant recipients may not claim exclusive use of the results of the project

Required Attribution

The following statement must be contained in all reports or manuscripts related to an LDFA grant:

> "Support has been received from the Learning Disabilities Foundation of America however, the opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation."

Contact Information

• Email submissions: [email protected]
• Applicants must receive confirmation email upon submission; if not received, check with LDFA directly

Definition of Learning Disability (Federal Criteria)

Specific Learning Disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.

Not Included: Learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, or environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.