Scholarships, Grants, and Aid for Equipment and Therapies
Mobility Equipment (Purchases and Loans)
Challenged Athletes Foundation
4591 Waples St.
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 866-0959
caf@challengedathletes.org
Challenged Athletes Foundation awards several different grants to individuals with physical disabilities for sports expenses and equipment costs. Grant applicants must have a physical disability that “impairs mobility, affects the neuromuscular system, or impairs balance or motor control” to be eligible.
- Ages: All ages
- How to apply: Get started on your application by filling out this form on the CAF website.
- Deadlines: Applications are open until November 3, 2023.
Oracle Health Foundation
9779 Hillcrest Road, Dock 2048
Kansas City, MO 64138
(816) 201-1569
oraclehealthfoundation_ww@oracle.com
Grants from Oracle Health Foundation are divided into four main categories: clinical, equipment, displacement, and vehicle modification. Last year, they distributed $2.6 million in funding to more than 800 kids. To be eligible, a child must be under the care of a physician, and the family must be unable to cover costs with insurance. The grant request also has to be clinically relevant.
- Ages: 18 or younger (19–21 in select cases)
- How to apply: To apply, visit the online application portal.
- Deadlines: You can apply at any point. Grant requests must be submitted by the final Wednesday of each month to be considered the following month.
UCP of Orange County: Swap Meet
1251 E. Dyer Road, Suite 150
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(949) 333-6400
swapmeet@ucpoc.org
The Swap Meet was established by United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County to connect families raising children with disabilities so that they can donate or sell new and used equipment at affordable prices. Swap meets have been put on hold until UCP of Orange County finishes updating their website, but they should resume again soon.
- Ages: All ages
- How to apply: To join the list for a future swap meet or offer up donated items, email swapmeet@ucpoc.org.
- Deadlines: The swap meet is on temporary hiatus, but otherwise you can email to participate at any time.
Wheelchairs 4 Kids: Let’s Roll
1200 S. Pinellas Ave., Suite 3
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 946-0963
info@wheelchairs4kids.org
Let’s Roll, the flagship program from Wheelchairs 4 Kids, provides mobility equipment to families in need. Grant recipients frequently use the funding to buy wheelchairs but can also get vehicle modifications, home modifications, and other assistive equipment. To be eligible, kids must have someone from their medical team verify their mobility needs.
- Ages: 21 and younger
- How to apply: To nominate a child, you can email Wheelchairs 4 Kids or call and ask for the Programs department.
- Deadlines: You can nominate a child at any time.
Wheel to Walk Foundation
1200 S. Pinellas Ave., Suite 3
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 946-0963
info@wheelchairs4kids.org
Wheel to Walk Foundation helps families cover the costs of mobility equipment and therapeutic services not covered by insurance. To be eligible, families must live in California, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho.
- Ages: 20 and younger
- How to apply: Contact the organization, and they’ll send you an application.
- Deadlines: You can nominate a child at any time.
Speech and AAC Equipment
NAA’s Give A Voice Program
1 Park Ave. Suite 1
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(877) 622-2884
naa@nationalautism.org
Through the Give A Voice Program, the National Autism Association gives kids access to assistive communication devices. Communication Grant recipients are awarded up to $800 for a set of letter boards and up to four sessions with a communication practitioner, and iPad Grant recipients get a 32GB iPad. To be eligible for a grant, children must be diagnosed with autism and have a letter from a physician.
- Ages: 5 years or older
- How to apply: You can access grant applications on the NAA website.
- Deadlines: NAA accepts applications on a rolling basis.
The Orange Effect Foundation
17040 Amber Drive
Cleveland, OH 44111
info@theorangeeffect.org
The Orange Effect Foundation is a nonprofit that provides assistance to families raising kids with speech and communication disorders. Families can use the funding to pay for therapeutic services or communication devices. To be eligible, recipients must have an annual household income of $100,000 or less.
- Ages: 21 and younger
- How to apply: If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship, go to this online form.
- Deadlines: The Orange Effect Foundation accepts applications quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Small Steps in Speech
P.O. Box 65
Eagleville, PA 19408
(888) 577-3256
info@smallstepsinspeech.org
Nonprofit Small Steps in Speech was founded in 2009 in memory of Army Special Forces medical sergeant Marc Small. The organization provides grants of up to $1,200 for speech therapy and AAC equipment, but the average award is $1,000. To be eligible for a grant, families must earn less than $100,000 per year. Small Steps in Speech will not fund ABA services or iPads.
- Ages: 3–22 years old
- How to apply: You can find the application for individuals online.
- Deadlines: Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. There are deadlines on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Therapeutic Services
CSULB Speech and Language Clinic
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-4594
slp.clinic@csulb.edu
The Speech and Language Clinic at the California State University, Long Beach campus offers free diagnostic and therapeutic services for people with speech, language, and communication disorders. Therapy sessions are 45 minutes long and scheduled once or twice per week. Although they do not charge fees for their services, the clinic accepts donations to cover operating costs and expenses.
- Ages: All ages
- How to apply: To apply, fill out an application form on the CSULB website.
- Deadlines: You can fill out an application at any point, but they accept new clients in fall, spring, and summer. If there aren’t any openings when you apply, you’ll be placed on a waitlist.
CSUN Autism Clinic
18111 Nordhoff St.
Department of Psychology, California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA 91330
(818) 677-4281
autismclinic@csun.edu
The California State University, Northridge Autism Clinic offers individualized behavioral interventions for people with autism. Their services include behavioral assessments, therapeutic interventions, social skills, and feeding therapy. At the clinic, they also do research on ABA treatment.
- Ages: 2–8 years old
- How to apply: To request services, fill out this online form.
- Deadlines: You can request services at any time.
CSUN Language, Speech, and Hearing Center
18111 Nordhoff St.
Language, Speech, and Hearing Center
California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA 91330
(818) 677-1200
autismclinic@csun.edu
The Language, Speech and Hearing Center at California State University, Northridge has been offering speech pathology and audiology services to people with communication disorders since 1960. Services are provided by upper division and master’s students in training to become professional speech and language or hearing specialists. To be eligible for treatment, clients must have an updated diagnostic evaluation.
- Ages: All ages
- How to apply: You can find application forms on the CSUN website. There’s a different form for each age group on the left side of the webpage. You can also contact the office to have them mail you an application form.
- Deadlines: They accept applications at any time.
Free 2 Be Me Dance
(916) 586-4884
info@free2bemedance.org
Free 2 Be Me Dance is an adaptive dance program for children and adults with Down syndrome. This Santa Monica studio gives dancers a chance to have fun, build confidence, increase self-esteem, and form relationships with teachers and peers. Dancers can choose between ballet and hip-hop/Latin ballroom. Free 2 Be Me offers full and partial scholarships for dancers.
- Ages: All ages
- How to apply: If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship, fill out the scholarship application before registering for classes.
- Deadlines: Free 2 Be Me is still accepting applications for fall 2023.
The Orange Effect Foundation
17040 Amber Drive
Cleveland, OH 44111
info@theorangeeffect.org
The Orange Effect Foundation is a nonprofit that provides assistance to families raising kids with speech and communication disorders. Families can use the funding to pay for therapeutic services or communication devices. To be eligible, recipients must have an annual household income of $100,000 or less.
- Ages: 21 and younger
- How to apply: If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship, go to this online form.
- Deadlines: The Orange Effect Foundation accepts applications quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Warrior Hearted Special Children’s Foundation
Long Beach, CA
warriorheartedcharity@gmail.com
Warrior Hearted provides scholarships for children who need help paying for therapeutic services or classes not covered by insurance or Regional Centers. Applicants must live in Orange or Los Angeles County and have an IEP or 504 to be eligible for funding. The maximum scholarship amount is $500, and funds are not available for medical expenses, private school costs, or legal fees.
- Ages: 18 or younger
- How to apply: You can find the application for funding online.
- Deadlines: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Financial Aid and Assistance for Diverse Needs
Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation
228 W. Lincoln Highway 301
Schererville, IN 46375
(877) 806-0635
myasdf@yahoo.com
Since 2010, Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation has been offering direct financial assistance to families raising children with autism. The organization offers scholarships for recreational activities, a holiday gift card program, and a scholarship program that provides iPads for non-speaking kids. All their programs are closed until 2024.
- Ages: 18 and younger
- How to apply: You can find applications for all their scholarship programs online.
- Deadlines: All their scholarship applications are closed until 2024. Recreational activities scholarship applications will be accepted in May. Holiday gift card applications will open next October.
Giving Angels Foundation
1461 Golden Drive
Dresher, PA 19025
(267) 332-1320
grants@givingangelsfoundation.org
The Giving Angels Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children with physical disabilities from lower-income families by providing grants of up to $500 for items that will improve their daily well-being. The funds are intended to cover medical supplies and equipment, essential bills, camps, and therapeutic toys. Families must have a household income of $50,000 or less to apply.
- Ages: 21 and younger
- How to apply: You can apply online.
- Deadlines: Applications are accepted throughout the year except during July and August.
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation Grants
9700 Healthcare Lane
Minnetonka, MN 55343
(855) 698-4223
uhccfcustomerservice@uhc.com
UHCCF’s grants are based on income level and family size. Those who are eligible include a family of two earning $55,000 per year or less, a family of three with a total income of $85,000 per year or less, a family of four earning $115,000 per year or less, or a family of five or more earning $145,000 or less. Grant funding is intended to cover medical services, therapeutic services, or medical equipment.
- Ages: 16 or younger
- How to apply: You can apply through their website.
- Deadlines: You can apply at any time.
Varghese Summersett Autism Scholarship
300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1650
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 203-2220
christi@versustexas.com
The attorneys at Varghese Summersett offer $500 scholarships for children diagnosed with autism. The funds can be used for educational or recreational opportunities, like camps.
- Ages: 16 or younger
- How to apply: You can apply through their website.
- Deadlines: The next deadline is April 1, 2024.
Varghese Summersett Down Syndrome Scholarship
300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1650
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 203-2220
christi@versustexas.com
The attorneys at Varghese Summersett offer $500 scholarships for children diagnosed with Down syndrome. The funds can be used for educational or recreational opportunities, like camps.
- Ages: 16 or younger
- How to apply: You can apply through their website.
- Deadlines: The next deadline is April 1, 2024.
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