OVERVIEW: The AWS Foundation supports social enrichment, education and employment, transportation, early diagnosis and system navigation and improved housing for disabled individuals in Indiana.
IP TAKE: The AWS Foundation prioritizes organizations that work with people who have enduring intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. This Indiana funder has an accessible website that details clear application procedures for its grantmaking programs. It also provides access to Community Reports. Letters of inquiry are accepted throughout the year. Reach out to the staff with questions via the online submission form or directly via phone or email.
PROFILE: Established in 2007, the AWS Foundation is an independent organization created by corporate changes made in the operation of AWS/Anthony Wayne Services, which is now called Benchmark Human Services. It serves the local disabled community by providing grants to community partners and engaging the community through awareness and advocacy efforts. The foundation aims to “help children and adults with enduring intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities live as independently as possible, be included in the community and function at their highest potential.” It funds local efforts for the social enrichment, education and employment, transportation, early diagnosis and system navigation and improved housing for disabled children and adults.
Grants for Public Health and Access, Brain and Cell, and Mental Health
The AWS Foundation’s grantmaking funds social, creative and recreational programs for people in Northeast Indiana with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, fragile X syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome, as well as advancing education and employment support, which goes toward life skills and meaningful employment programs. The funder supports accessible transportation options, as well as programs that help diagnose disabilities as early as possible to aid families and caregivers. The foundation is also interested in providing safe and affordable housing for local disabled people.
AWS provides program, capital project, and operating support to its grantees.
Traditional Grants is AWS’s primary grantmaking program that funds organizations with projects that align with one or more of the foundation’s five priority initiatives: Education & Employment, Transportation, Promoting Social Enrichment, Early Diagnosis & System Navigation, and Housing for individuals with disabilities.
Mighty Money Grants (mini grants) is a mini-grants program that welcomes applications all throughout the year for requests of up to $5,000.
Gilmore Inclusive Arts Grant (specialty grants) supports special projects that engage people with disabilities in local art communities.
The foundation also offers two scholarship programs for students pursing either a degree in Special Education or a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.
Important Grant Details
Grants range between about $5,000 and $1 million. The most common amount is $25,000.
Grantmaking focuses on the following counties in Northeast Indiana: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, Kosciusko, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley.
This foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits.
New grantseekers should complete the Eligibility Quiz before applying.
Organizations can access the LOI application online for their first formal grant requests, requests of $50,000 or more, capital support of any amount and multi-year requests.
There are three application deadlines per year, and applications open two weeks before due dates.
Direct general questions to the staff at Info@awsfoundation.org or 260-207-5656.
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