People With Disabilities Foundation Grant

Overview

People With Disabilities Foundation Grants

In February 2017, PWDF announced a pilot grant program to help other nonprofit agencies in their work to integrate people with psychiatric, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities (P/IDD) into the whole of society. Grants may be used for a specific program, project, or general operating expenses if related to a specific project or program in furtherance of providing advocacy, education, vocational, or other services to people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities.

PWDF’s Grant Program is accepting LOIs for new grant awards. LOIs must be submitted on PWDF’s LOI form and received by November 6, 2024, to be considered for the next grant cycle. The date of approval will depend on the date of the next Board meeting at which grants are reviewed.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* To be eligible for a grant from PWDF, prospective grantees must meet the following organization and program requirements:
* Applicant organization must be an IRS approved § 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or must provide a very clear statement of service, impact, and need for the grant.
* For example a service to beneficiaries who are not old enough to be eligible for school district services based on age, e.g., under 5 years old; 
* The organization must have been in operation a minimum of 3 years and provide documentation of same in the grant process, i.e., IRS form 990 for the most recent 3 years.
* In lieu of IRS form 990, an organization may send tax returns, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets for the most recent 3 years; 
* Mission and program must be to benefit people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities; 
* Organization’s program currently must have direct contact with this population, either through advocacy, education, which may include destigmatization programs, or other relevant services; 
* A maximum of 25% of the organization’s expenses may be attributed to administrative expenses as documented on the most recent IRS Form 990;
* For the pilot program, an organization must be based in the United States.
* Program or project being proposed must have been in operation for 3 years or more.
* If the program is the same as an existing program, but in a new geographical location, then it is eligible for consideration.
* If the program is similar to but differs from programs that have been operating for at least 3 years, then it depends on the specifics of the old and new program/project.
* PWDF will evaluate the new/different program or project upon receipt of program details. 
* For the pilot grant program, eligible populations include those with mental disorders, such as psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, including PTSD, dementia, TBI, and others; some neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); and certain developmental disorders.
* Programs or projects that serve people with intellectual disorders, e.g., Down Syndrome or Fragile X, and cerebral palsy are eligible.

Ineligibility

* Organizations and programs that are currently not eligible for grants include:
* PWDF generally will not fund organizations that have large budgets (e.g., over $15 million) or resources (e.g., over $20 million), however, this is subject to a rebuttable presumption; entities that demonstrate substantial evidence of impact and need may be eligible, at PWDF’s discretion.
* Endowments; 501(c)3 foundations set up specifically to obtain funding for public or private sector organizations; or other similar types of organizations that otherwise do not need this funding are not eligible. 
* PWDF generally does not fund programs that receive funds from large benefactors and endowments, e.g., private foundations such as The Hewlett Foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, etc. 
* Organizations that do not currently provide any direct or indirect services through education or advocacy to people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities are not eligible. 
* Programs or projects that duplicate work of other entities will not be eligible unless applicant provides clear and convincing evidence of need.
* Programs or projects where there is concurrent jurisdiction with another entity accomplishing the same objectives will be ineligible if the problem is being or has been addressed. 
* Even though a government agency may take longer to resolve the problem, the additional time required is not enough reason to qualify for a grant absent exigent circumstances. 
* Programs that are contingent on obtaining licensing, permitting, or otherwise speculative are not eligible.  
* PWDF does not provide grants for new or replacement equipment used in organization operations, including vans, furniture, IT, etc.
* Exceptions may be made if the equipment is related to a primary disability program purpose.
* An analogous example is that the US HHS, rather than the US EEOC, has employment jurisdiction if the employment is essential to an HHS program, e.g., a blind teacher for blind communication. 
* PWDF does not provide grants for food, travel, lodging, scholarships, etc., for single-day or weekend events, e.g., conferences, community events, general advocacy, and lobbying.
* Exceptions: we may fund certain self-advocacy for specific legislative purposes, e.g., meetings with legislative representatives or aides on the US House Subcommittee on Social Security for legislation that would allow claimants to obtain Social Security disability benefits pending appeal upon termination of benefits because of working, not just for medical improvement reviews. 
* PWDF does not provide grants for organization reserve funds or fundraising activities.
* Grants are not available to individuals for their own treatment or services.
* Programs and projects that serve people with muscular dystrophy, seizure disorders, or most learning disabilities are not eligible in the pilot grant program.