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 is accepting LOIs for new grant awards.  LOIs must be submitted on PWDF’s LOI form and received by June 10, 2020 to be considered for the next grant cycle.  We expect to award 2-3 new grants in the next few months.  The date of approval will depend on the date of the next Board meeting at which grants are reviewed.  See our website for the LOI form and other requirements, including eligibility.

PWDF currently has seven grantees:

• The Arc of the United States, in Washington, DC, received $10,000 for their National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability® (NCCJD®) to support the creation of resources for self-advocates, thus improving the justice system’s awareness of and communication with people with I/DD.
• Institute of Urban Living in Washington, DC, was awarded $10,000 for Hyacinth’s Place affordable housing with support services for homeless women with a mental health diagnosis. This grant will help provide support services such as medication, education, vocational assessments, financial education, mental health counseling and meals to homeless women with psychiatric disabilities, so they can achieve the quality of life to which they aspire.
• Laurel House in Stamford, CT, was awarded $10,000 for their Supported Employment Program, which provides vocational and clinical supports enabling people with serious mental illness, who have been traditionally unable to work, to engage in competitive employment and sustain that employment with ongoing support and workshops as needed. This grant would go toward the salary of a part-time supported employment specialist (counselor) to reduce the waitlist for program participants and increase the number served.
• The Memphis Jewish Community Center in Memphis, TN received $7,500 in support of its Inclusive Summer Day Camp, which will integrate children with disabilities and those without disabilities to increase social inclusion in summer programs.
• The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, in Manchester, NH was awarded $10,000 to provide Mental Health First Aide Training, which helps increases public awareness and destigmatizes mental disorders.
• Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation Center, of San Francisco, CA, received $5,000 for community integration and engagement activities that are intended both to integrate people with developmental disabilities into the larger community and to increase social inclusion, thereby changing perceptions of the larger community.
• Urban Autism Solutions, from Chicago, IL, provides a series of wrap-around services to help young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) transition to adulthood. They were awarded $10,000 for their Growing Solutions Farm Vocational Training Program to train young adults with ASD to be increasingly independent, acquire soft skills for potential employment, and help develop basic life skills.

See our website for more information about the Grant Program.