Funds and Grants
Local and national funding and grant resources are available. Based on our research, each funding resource is a little different and has different goals and eligibility requirements. Cuyahoga DD has compiled this list of funding and grant resources to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families living in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. By providing this list, it is our goal to help you make finding resources that meet your needs a little easier.
Funding and grant resources have been grouped into five (5) basic categories: Equipment or Services, Financial Aid, Scholarships, Service Animals, and Tickets and Wishes. Within each listing, the name of the organization, age group eligibility, fund use, amount of funding provided, general eligibility requirements and a link to the organization’s website are provided. (Click on the name of the organization and you will be directed to their website.) If you would like to learn more about a funding resource, please visit the organization’s website and contact the organization directly.
Although Cuyahoga DD aims to provide accurate and up-to-date information, obtained from sources of information believed to be reliable, no warranty or declaration, either explicit or implicit, is given as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Cuyahoga DD is not affiliated with any of the resources provided.
This list is reviewed and updated twice a year. Last updated: 3/24/2023
How to use this resource listing
Please click on a button below to view each category listing. If you would like to learn more about an organization, click on the button with the organization name and you will be directed to the organization’s website.
Equipment or Services
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Amtryke adaptive tricycles
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: Children or veterans with financial need.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Grants cover sports expenses and adaptive sports equipment through their selected distributors who offer discounted pricing.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Individuals worldwide with permanent physical disabilities are eligible to apply for the CAF grant. Teams, organizations, etc. are not eligible to apply. Medical documentation of disability is required. CAF uses the International Paralympic Committee’s eligibility criteria as a guideline. Individuals with strictly cognitive or intellectual disabilities are not eligible to apply.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Adapted bikes
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: Children with permanent physical disabilities and under the age of 18.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Provide hearing devices for children with hearing loss.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children with hearing loss between the ages of newborn and 20 years whose parents are unable to meet this special need financially. An estimated 100 children are provided with hearing devices each year.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Miracle-Ear® is committed to helping underserved people with hearing loss and giving them the gift of sound.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children with hearing loss. Eligibility requirements are designed to reach those who need help most.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Rehabilitative therapy, My Gym classes, assistive devices, medical equipment, and sensory items.
Amount: $500 or less
Applicants must be under the age of 18. Gift allocations from the My Gym Foundation are determined by greatest need, whom we can best assist, funds available, and long-term impact on the child’s quality of life.
Age group: Children/Families/Adults
Use of money: NAA’s Big Red Safety Box® includes: Educational materials and tools, including NAA’s Be REDy Booklet, Two (2) GE Door/Window Alarms including batteries, One (1) RoadID Bracelet or Shoe ID tag, Five (5) Adhesive Stop Sign Visual Prompts for doors and windows, Two (2) Safety Alert Window Clings for car or home windows, and One (1) Child ID Kit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Amount: FREE Big Red Safety Kit
General requirements: Be the primary caregiver of an individual with an autism diagnosis. Be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. Agree to the terms and conditions stated in the application. Be a first-time recipient. Previous recipients are not eligible to apply, orders will be canceled. Apply only once. Multiple requests will not be processed, limit one box per family.
Age group: Children/Families/Adults
Use of money: Give A Voice Program will provide qualifying individuals with an assistive communication device including: A 32GB Apple® iPad® (9.7″ Newest Generation – Wi-Fi only), AppleCare+ Protection Plan, Avatalker AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication Software app and Protective Case.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: The individual you are applying for must be 4 years of age or older and formally diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Documentation from a physician is required. Must have access to a Wi-Fi internet connection for software downloads and updates. Must establish, or already have an active iTunes account/Apple ID prior to applying. Create an Apple ID, go to http://appleid.apple.com. Must include a current evaluation/recommendation from a Speech/Language Professional. Must confirm that support is available to help the individual with ASD learn to effectively use the iPad as a communication device.
Age group: Children/ Families
Use of money: Free White Cane
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: Please visit website for online application and complete details.
Age group: Children
Use of money: A New Eyes e-voucher provides a basic pair of single or lined bifocal eyeglasses through their online dispenser.
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: Only social service agencies/health advocates can apply on a client’s behalf. Applicants must: reside in a household with net monthly income below 250% of US Poverty Guidelines; Had a recent eye exam (within in the last 24 months) with a pupillary distance measurement.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Speech therapy and technology equipment for children and their families who don't have the financial means.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children with speech disorders who are up to 21 years of age.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Supplies (like Enteral Supplies (feeding bags, extenders), Trach Supplies (care kits, ties, cleaning supplies, HMEs), Incontinence Supplies (different size diapers and briefs), Oxygen tubing and cannulas, IV tubing and care supplies, Formula, and more.)
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: Families of children with special needs and who are medically dependent.
Age group: Adults
Use of money: Lifeline Free Wireless Service and Phone
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: The Lifeline program is available to eligible consumers in selected states and territories. Actual requirements vary by state. In general to qualify for Lifeline, subscribers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines, or participate in an assistance programs (list provided on website).
Age group: Children
Use of money: Three free braille books per year
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: Children with vision loss who live in the U.S.
Age group: Children/Adults
Use of money: Handicapped adapted vehicle
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: Adults or children anywhere within the USA. Family must demonstrate that they do not have the resources to afford a vehicle on their own. Required to carry car insurance, register the vehicle and pick it up from the donor.
Age group: Children/Adults
Use of money: Hearing devices, specialized treatments, speech classes, note-takers, interpreters, and more.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or the families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Financial Aid
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Preschool and parent and infant financial aid programs and a variety of scholarships.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children who are deaf or have hearing loss.
Age group: Children/ Adults
Use of money: Provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software (technology products that have significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life.)
Amount: 50% of the cost of products that retail for a minimum of $200 with a maximum retail price of $6,000.
General requirements: Applicants must be legally blind and a resident of the United States with a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Funds treatment, products and services for children with autism through a variety of different grant programs including: SOS, Safety Today, Applied Behavior Analysis, Assistive Technology, Medical Help Today, Social Skills, Special Needs Summer School, and ACT Español.
Amount: Up to $5,000
General requirements: Children and their families impacted by autism. Submit an online application for consideration.
Age group: Children/ Adults
Use of money: Medical and treatment scholarships to families living with autism.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Unspecified
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Programs: Autism Awareness Project, Equine Therapy, Holiday Gift Card Program, iPad Program, Social Skills Camp Scholarship Program and Swim Program.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children with autism.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Autism Fund Autism services not covered by traditional insurance or grants. Such services include early intervention programs, assessments and testing, social skills programs, college support programs, transition-to-employment programs, touch devices, and recreational activities.
Amount: Up to $1,500
General requirements: Children/Families with autism.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Recreational based services not covered by insurance. Scholarships are awarded based on need for therapies and services that are recreational in nature. Services considered include, but not limited to: Horseback Riding, Swimming, Music, Dance, Drama, Art, Karate, Social Skills Groups, Sports (football, basketball, soccer, etc.)
Amount: Unspecified. Families are strongly encouraged to monetarily contribute to the service they are requesting funding. Services do not have to be adapted or therapeutic, but must meet recreational standard.
General requirements: All students with autism, under the age of 22, are encouraged to apply. Students must live in Cuyahoga, Summit or Medina Counties in Ohio.
Age group: Children/Adults
Use of money: Specific modifications or equipment. Examples of eligible items include upgrade and maintenance of wheelchairs, vehicle modifications (i.e., hand controls or lifts), small home modifications including ramp and lift installation, computers, and other adaptive equipment.
Amount: Up to $10,000
General requirements: Applicants must have a neurological disorder with preference going to spinal cord injuries. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and may be required to provide documentation. There is no age requirement. Applicants must reside in the United States.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: CARE Grant Program helps families with medication, autism diagnosis/evaluation, therapy session (speech, OT and ABA,) autism summer camps.
Amount: Unspecified. Families encouraged to monetarily contribute to the service they are requesting funding.
General requirements: Children diagnosed with autism, lives within the US and an income level less than $75,000 per year for the entire household.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Funding for children whose families cannot afford medical care, equipment, vehicle modifications, or displacement related to care. Expenses covered: Treatment: Clinical procedures, medicine, therapy, prosthesis, etc. Equipment: Wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc. Displacement: Lodging (only if charitable housing is unavailable), gas ($0.33 per mile), parking and transportation related to a child’s care. Vehicle modifications: Lifts, ramps and transfer boards.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: The child must be 18 years of age or younger (a person 19–21 may be considered), under the care of a pediatrician, case must involve a child with a specific health care need, request must be clinically relevant to the health of the child, no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses, One request per year, per child for a maximum of three times in a child’s lifetime; income requirement based on number in household.
Age group: Children/ Adults
Use of money: Microgrants for survival, organizing, leisure, and pleasure.
Amount: $100-$500
General requirements: Youth or adult people of color (Black, Brown, Native, Asian, and mixed-race people) in the autistic community applying for themselves. (This includes when an autistic person asks a trusted person to help fill out the application.)
Age group: Children/ Adults
use of money: Financial assistance through a number of Disease Funds to help cover copays, premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses for supplies, supplements, surgeries and more.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Health Well bases eligibility on an individual’s medical, financial and insurance situation. Funds only approved treatments/conditions. Check listing on website.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Dental care. The Dental Care for Children with Special Needs Program is the secondary carrier when insurance is involved and acts as the primary carrier if no insurance is available, and covers the maximum allowable fees as determined by the Humanitarian Foundation.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children under 18 with one or more of the following conditions: Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and related neuromuscular disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, including Downs Syndrome for profound to 2 years overall delayed. Documentation from the child’s school licensed psychologist, or physician, may be required. Dental Care for Organ Transplant recipients pre & post. Medicaid patients are not covered by the program.
Age group: Students/Adults
Use of money: Grants and Scholarships: Travel expenses for individuals with Metatropic Dysplasia to see a doctor at A.I. DuPont; College and post-graduate educational and vocational grants; First-time national conference attendance assistance grants; Adoption assistance grants.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Individuals with Metatropic Dysplasia; members of LPA who have a medically diagnosed form of dwarfism, immediate family members of dwarfs who are also paid members of LPA or people with dwarfism who are not members of LPA.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Providing therapeutic activities such as bath chairs, car seats, lightweight portable adaptive strollers, positional seating devices, switch activated toys, vestibular stimulation, and similar items to children with lifetime physical disabilities.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children with developmental disabilities.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Bills, athletic opportunities, medical needs, or an opportunity that a child wouldn’t otherwise have.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: K-12 children and families.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Financial Aid to pursue medical treatments and therapies not covered by health insurance.
Amount: Up to $4,000
General requirements: Families from Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin may apply for awards used for medical expenses or therapies not covered by insurance. Must sign a contract for volunteering based on amount of award (for example award of $1000 or less = 4 hours of volunteering); Ohio application is separate from IL and WI application.
Age group: Adults
Use of money: Mission is to keep low income workers living pay check to paycheck out of the cycle of poverty by providing one time help with a bill during a temporary hardship. Bill types could be medical, car repairs OR monthly bills like rent, utilities, mortgage, car payments, etc.
Amount: Average grants are between $750.00 and $1,250.00
General requirements: At least 18 years of age; legal resident of the United States or Canada; apply for assistance either for yourself, or for a person living in your home; household has at least one active bank account OR has filed a Federal Tax Return within in the past two years. See website for complete details.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Financial Assistance for medical expenses above and beyond what insurance covers, in-home care and/or therapy, formula if prescribed by a physician but not covered by medical insurance, and supplemental oxygen for use in the home.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Financial Assistance for families raising children with T18.
Age group: Children/ Adults
use of money: Emergency assistance, healthcare assistance, health and wellness and homecare assistance grants.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: People with Multiple Sclerosis.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: MyGOAL Inc. offers a yearly grants to 20 families for support and care.
Amount: $500-$1,000 each
General requirements: Individuals under 18 years old with Autism in the United States. Applicants must be the primary care-giver of the individual on the Autism Spectrum.
Age group: Children
Use of money: before or after school educational programs, day camps, fees for learning extension, purchase curriculum and materials for homeschooling, educational/learning/study skills services, field trips to historical sights/museums/science centers/theaters, language classes, musical instrument lessons, and tutoring.
Amount: $500
General requirements: any student between the ages of 6 and 18 years old whose family income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Qualifying children include those who attend any Ohio public or nonpublic school or are home educated by their parents and have been excused from the compulsory attendance law for the purpose of home instruction. An eligible student can be enrolled in a public or nonpublic school or has been excused from compulsory attendance law for the purpose of home instruction.
Age group: Children
Use of money: These grants can be used to pay for a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music lessons, tutoring, and summer camp. Does not fund daycare fees, school tuition, or mission trips.
Amount: Up to $300
General requirements: Children, ages 3-18, of currently-deployed National Guard and Reserve service members, as well as those of severely injured Veterans from any service branch.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Financial assistance can be given for specific bills, equipment, needs stated within the application as the recipient deems necessary to their situation.
Amount: Maximum grant can not exceed $1000 per family.
General requirements: Any family, who has a minor child (18 and under) with a life altering illness or disability in financial crisis due to unforeseen medical expenses.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Mini-Grants can be used for: Camp Sessions, Respite of Parent's Choice, Cleaning Help, Cooking Help, Spa Day, Urgent Bills or Other Parent Needs.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Parents who can show financial need, such as public assistance, Title 1, free lunch cards, etc.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Therapies and assistive technology related to speech therapy. Does not include iPad.
Amount: Average grant award is $1,000.
General requirements: Children between 3 and 22 years of age at the time of the application deadline and families with a combined household income under $100,000.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Educational services and financial aid that will help improve quality of life.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Visually impaired children and their families.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.
Amount: Up to $5,000
General requirements: Child must be 16 years of age or younger at the time of application. Child must have a Social Security Number issued by the Social Security Administration. Family must not exceed maximum eligible family income as documented on IRS Tax Form 1040. Primary coverage for the child must be by a commercial health plan, either through an employer or individually purchased. Secondary insurance through Medicaid or CHIP is permissible. Child is under the care of a licensed medical professional and family is applying for treatments/equipment/services prescribed by a Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) or Doctor of Audiology (Au. D.) for hearing conditions.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Equipment, services, and experiences that youth need to thrive through their Care, Fredon and Future Programs.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Youth up to age 21 who live with special needs or are disadvantaged in the United States.
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Financial support may be designated for camps, therapies, medical expenses, respite, assistive or adaptive equipment, and/or communicative devices that are necessary to meet daily challenges.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children and adults with special needs that live in Northeast Ohio.
Scholarships
Age group: Students
Use of money: Scholarship program
Amount: One or two $500 awards each year
General requirements: Preference will be given to students with mobility disabilities. Students must be at least 16, enrolled at an accredited high school, college or university, a legal resident of the U.S., in good academic standing, and must complete an application essay. Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (or equivalent.)
Age group: Students
Use of money: Secondary Education
Amount: Maximum grant award is $6,495 for the 2021–22 award year. Amount depends a variety of factors.
General requirements: Awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
Age group: Students
Use of money: Pathways Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
General requirements: Have, or consider themselves to have a visible or invisible disability. Current high school senior in the U.S. or Canada. Accepted to, or applied and awaiting acceptance to, a 4-year university or college in the U.S. or Canada for the 2021-2022 academic year. Intending to be enrolled full time in that 4-year university or college.
Age group: Students
Use of money: Secondary Education Scholarships
Amount: $10,000
General requirements: A student with a visible or invisible disability; this definition also includes the perception among others that a disability exists. A current undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. student enrolled at a university in the U.S. or Canada (freshmen/first years and international students studying in the U.S. or Canada are eligible); and also Continuing current studies or intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student in a new program at a university in the U.S. or Canada. Pursuing a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree, or a degree in a closely related technical field. Maintaining a strong academic performance. Exemplify leadership and demonstrate a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology. This scholarship is not open to current high school students.
Age group: Students
Use of money: Scholarship program
Amount: $3,000 to $12,000
General requirements: Must be legally blind (PDF) in both eyes. Must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. Must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall of the year of application (one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time). Must participate in NFB National Convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities (finalists will receive assistance to attend the national convention.)
Age group: Students
Use of money: Supports students attending two year universities, life skills or postsecondary programs, or vocational, technical, or trade schools.
Amount: $3,000
General requirements: Autism. Persons with an autism diagnosis (DSM-IV or later criteria) pursuing full-time, post-secondary, undergraduate education or vocational-technical training.
Age group: Students
Use of money: Supports students attending two or four year universities. Applicants typically pursue degrees at four year universities.
Amount: $3,000
General requirements: Autism. Persons with an autism diagnosis (DSM-IV or later criteria) pursuing full-time, post-secondary, undergraduate education or vocational-technical training.
Service Animals
Age group: Children/ Adults
Use of money: Service Dogs
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: People with physical or developmental disabilities, adults who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as professionals working in health care, visitation, educational or criminal justice settings who can demonstrate that an assistance dog will enhance their independence or their quality of life are qualified to apply.
Age group: Children/ Families
Use of money: Scholarships paid to an approved training organization for the training of a service dog.
Amount: $250 to $5,000
General requirements: Child must be under the age of 18 years old at the time of placement with their service dog. Child must have a physical disability, psychological disability or be in the Autism Spectrum. Child must be accepted by an Assistance Dog International member or an International Guide Dog Federation member or other qualified training program prior to applying for scholarship.
Age group: Children/ Families
Use of money: Provides guide dogs for eligible blind American children between the ages of 11 and 16, free of charge.
Amount: No applicable
General requirements: Eligible blind American children between the ages of 11 and 16.
Age group: Children/ Adults
Use of money: Custom-trained Assistance Dogs
Amount: PAWS promotes a “pay it forward” culture. Once a client achieves certification, we encourage them to consider hosting a Personal Campaign to benefit another client still waiting for a PAWS Dog.
General requirements: Eligibility varies depending on service dog type and disability.
Age group: Children/ Families
Use of money: Mobility service and autism service animals.
Amount: WAGS asks families receiving an animal to make a commitment to do fundraising for W.A.G.S.
General requirements: Children with autism or physical disabilities up to the age of 18.
Tickets and Wishes
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Year-round, cost-free events to help bring smiles to the faces of sick kids, their siblings and their parents.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children and families with a wide range of diagnoses. Online enrollment form required for acceptance.
Age group: Children
Use of money: Life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Amount: Not applicable
General requirements: Children must meet these criteria at the time of referral: Diagnosed with a critical illness, i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that is placing the child's life in jeopardy Older than 2½ years and younger than 18 Has not received a wish from another wish-granting organization.
Age group: Children
Use of money: The Charity provides tickets and help fund travel grants. Example: Tickets to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centers in Columbus, OH.
Amount: Tickets
General requirements: Children aged 2 – 18 and must have not received tickets through our charity previously. Disabled (if learning disability, this must be moderate to severe and the child must have a statement of educational needs or similar.)
Age group: Children/Families
Use of money: Dream fulfillment - Sunshine Foundation’s waiting list is currently estimated at 7+ years from your child’s APPROVAL date.
Amount: Unspecified
General requirements: Children ages 3-18 only. Child must be seriously ill, chronically ill, physically challenged, severely developmentally delayed or abused (victim of physical or sexual abuse). Diagnosis must be severe-profound to qualify. Child must be a citizen of the United States. Child or any other family member must not have had a dream or wish through Sunshine Foundation or any other organization or any other source (NO PREVIOUS WISH.) Family’s household’s income is under $75,000 annually (including all adults over the age of 18 who reside in the household). Sunshine Foundation is unable to consider dreams for children with Deficit Disorders (ADHD, OCD, etc.), mild to moderate: autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, or other mild to moderate chronic illnesses and/or diagnoses.