There are Grants available to help you and your family cover the cost of services and equipment!
Local Grants
Unlocked Inc https://unlockedinc.org/
We created unlocked with a mission to fund adaptive or medical equipment for families raising children with disabilities. Every child has value. Every child has potential. Please join us as we work together to unlock the potential of these special kids with special abilities.
Educational Student Account NC https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/esa/ *EARLY BIRD IS A NEW VENDOR FOR THE GRANT!!
The ESA+ program provides scholarships in the amount of up to $9,000 a year, and to cover expenses related to educating a child with a disability* in Direct Payment Nonpublic Schools. ESA+ parents, if your school is not listed, see information here. Students with certain designated disabilities may be eligible to receive $17,000 a year. Covers tuition and fees at Direct Payment Nonpublic Schools. No out-of-pocket expenses (provides families with an electronic debit account). Funds can be used for expenses such as speech or occupational therapy, tutoring services, curriculum, and educational technology. *A student who has an eligibility determination from a North Carolina Individualized Education Program (IEP) dated within the last three years. A current Eligibility Determination form (DEC3 or ECATS) is the form to submit with an application
First In Families Of The Southern Piedmont https://www.thearcisthere.org/about/union
We serve as the housing agency for a local FIF chapter. First In Families (serving Union, Cabarrus, Stanly, Rowan, and Davidson counties) is a family support initiative operated by a family/consumer management team, providing supports to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their family member(s). We have the funding and ability to provide small grants (as our funds and policies allow) to qualifying individuals to distribute funds for emergency expenses, special equipment or non-covered medical needs. Please call Cindy Carroll at 704-261-1550 x 204 for more information.
Bee Mighty https://beemighty.org/
Serving the greater Charlotte area. Bee Mighty provides funding for medical therapy and equipment to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates. Bee Mighty was established so that families can focus on each other and concentrate on the development of their child without the added stress of financial ruin. Income is a consideration, as are expenses, length of NICU stay, diagnosis, private insurance coverage, etc. All are weighed on a case by case basis.
Kids with PossAbilities https://kidswithpossabilities.org/
The mission is to provide funding for therapy, assistive technology and educational scholarships for children with developmental delays in the Greater Charlotte Area. In order to qualify for funding through Kids with PossAbilities, you must be eligible for services through Mecklenburg County’s Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) or have an Individualized Education Program through Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). Generally, a child is delayed by 30% in one area or 25% in two or more areas, or has a specific diagnosis in order to qualify through CDSA or CMS. Kids with PossAbilities will become active after all state, community, and federal programs have been exhausted. Funding will be limited to $1,000 per child per year and priority will be given to children within the Novant Network.
Bethany’s Butterflies https://bethanysbutterflies.org/
To further Bethany’s legacy by providing families, medical providers, and healthcare institutions the resources required to improve the lives of children with complex neurological, developmental, and behavioral health challenges.
NATIONAL GRANTS
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation https://www.uhccf.org
Their mission is to improve children’s lives and help families gain access to the care they need through medical grants. Child must be 16 years of age or younger and have a Social Security Number. There are specific income requirements.
First Hand Foundation https://www.firsthandfoundation.org/request-funding/#funding-criteria
First Hand provides funding for children whose families cannot afford medical care, equipment, vehicle modifications, or displacement related to care. Review the assistance criteria and financial guidelines to determine if your child qualifies for funding.
ACT-TODAY https://www.act-today.org/apply-for-grant
As one of the only nonprofits that provides product and treatment services directly to families, Autism Care Today provides funding assistance to families throughout the United States on a quarterly basis.
Giving Angels Foundation https://givingangelsfoundation.org/apply-for-help/
At the Giving Angels Foundation, our mission is to enhance the daily functioning of a child with a physical disability from a lower income family by awarding grants for life-changing equipment, medical supplies, essential family bills, specialized camps, and therapeutic toys. They classify special needs as children under the age of 21 with any type of physical disability (such as, but not limited to, spina bifida, paralysis, missing limbs) or illness (such as, but not limited to, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer).
The My Gym Foundation https://www.mygymfoundation.org/apply-for-a-gift/
The My Gym Foundation accepts applications from or on behalf of children with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities and those coping with chronic illness or financial struggles.
Requests, limited to gifts of $500 or less, may include but are not limited to rehabilitative therapy, My Gym classes, assistive devices, medical equipment, and sensory items.
Mark’s Money http://www.marksmoney.org/index.php
This agency provides financial assistance to persons with Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities to improve their quality of life by meeting their daily living, employment, medical, residential, or social needs.
Wheel to Walk http://wheeltowalk.com/
The Wheel to Walk Foundation helps children with disabilities, 20 years and younger, obtain medical & adaptive equipment or therapy services not provided by insurance. We purchase items such as therapy tricycles, adaptive strollers, shower chairs, pumper cars, zip zac chairs, selective communication devices, gait trainers, speech therapy and wheelchairs, to name a few.
SPEECH- LANGUAGE ONLY
Small Steps in Speech http://www.smallstepsinspeech.org/grant-application/
The mission of Small Steps in Speech is to help children with speech and/or language disorders take the steps needed to be better communicators. Grants are not based solely on financial need. The financial needs of the family are considered, however, applications will not be accepted for a joint family income in excess of $100,000.
The Orange Effect https://theorangeeffect.org/
There are very few grants that focus on providing grants to children who desperately need consistent speech therapy or equipment. That’s what Orange Effect Foundation (OEF) does. Simply put, OEF makes sure children with speech disorders receive the speech therapy and technology equipment they need…especially when the children’s family doesn’t have the financial means.