Virginia Eernisse Legacy Award
Funding Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Advocacy for self-determination and self-directed lives for individuals with IDD
Other requirements
- Candidates should demonstrate:
- Dedication to encouraging participation in policymaking for the disability community
- Grassroots disability rights advocacy work
- Personal experience and commitment to inclusion in community, workplace, and typical places to live
Overview
Geographic Scope: Texas
Focus Areas: Self-advocacy and self-determination for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD); disability rights advocacy
Award Purpose: Honors individuals who exemplify commitment to self-advocacy, self-determination, and disability rights advocacy in the tradition of Virginia Eernisse, who passed away in 2018.
About Virginia Eernisse
Virginia Eernisse believed in self-advocacy and compassionately supported individuals to have access to supports and services needed to live well in the community. Her accomplishments included:
- Appointed to the board overseeing closure of two state-supported living centers (SSLCs)
- Spearheaded establishment of The Arc of the Gulf Coast
- Founding member of Imagine Enterprises (nonprofit focused on self-determination through employment)
- Outspoken advocate for disability rights at the Texas State Capitol
Eligibility
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Dedication to encouraging participation in policymaking for the disability community
- Advocacy for self-determination and self-directed lives for individuals with IDD
- Grassroots disability rights advocacy work
- Personal experience and commitment to inclusion in community, workplace, and typical places to live
Recognition
Recipients are honored at The Arc of Texas's annual Boots & BBQ event.
Contact Information:
- The Arc of Texas
- 8001 Centre Park Drive Suite 100
- Austin, TX 78754
- Phone: 512-454-6694
- Email: info@thearcoftexas.org
- Website: thearcoftexas.org
What The Arc of Texas actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 1
- Total given
- $15K
- Median grant
- $15K
- By dollars: Texas 100%. Top recipient cities: Austin, TX.
Example grants
Association of Texas Advocates · Austin, TX
Operational support and annual conference sponsorship
$15K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Developmental disabilities
- Social justice
Categories
Browse similar grants by category
Related Grants
Open grants from this funder and similar programs
DSW Grants Program
Decriminalize Sex Work
Amount
Up to $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bertha Artivism Awards
Bertha Foundation
Amount
Up to USD 20,000 per project
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Leola Osborn Trust Grant
Leola M Osborn Trust
Amount
US $1,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Micro-Grants for Africa
International Society for Individual Liberty
Amount
$1,000
Deadline
February 20, 2027
SVP Dallas Advisee Program
Dallas Social Venture Partners
Amount
$2,500 - $10,500
Deadline
February 26, 2027
CDKL5 Pilot Grant Program
University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine: Orphan Disease Center (ODC)
Amount
US $150,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to apply for Virginia Eernisse Legacy Award?
Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.
You found Virginia Eernisse Legacy Award. Now let's win it.