CFPs: Learning Disabilities Foundation of America Grant Program (US)

The Learning Disabilities Foundation of America (LDFA) invites grant applications to support projects addressing unmet needs in the field of learning disabilities. The grants aim to foster innovation, increase public awareness, and advance programs that improve the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and their families.

Focus Areas

• Innovative research on the causes, prevention, or alleviation of learning disabilities.

• Public awareness programs to enhance understanding of learning disabilities.

• Programs to support the achievement of persons with learning disabilities, strengthen family support skills, aid academic and professional advisors, and improve colleagues’ and employers’ understanding of learning disabilities.

Eligibility

• Only U.S.-based organizations exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3).

• Projects must align with the LDFA’s mission and demonstrate potential for national impact or replication.

• Individual scholarships or grants to individuals are not eligible.

Funding Guidelines

• Grants are not provided for routine organizational expenses such as salaries, overhead, capital campaigns, or endowment funds (except certain LD Association–restricted funds).

• Funds must be used as described in the approved application; unspent funds must be returned within 60 days of project completion.

• Progress and final reports must include full financial accounting and acknowledge support:
  “Support has been received from the Learning Disabilities Foundation of America; however, the opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.”

Application Process

• Grants are reviewed twice annually by the Foundation Board of Managers.

• Submission deadline for this cycle: September 15, 2026.

• The Board may request interviews with the primary facilitator and/or a site visit.

Grant Management Requirements

• Recipients must adhere to the signed grant agreement.

• Projects may not claim exclusive rights to results.

• Reports and manuscripts related to the grant must comply with LDFA guidelines.

Definition of Learning Disabilities
According to the Federal Definition for Specific Learning Disabilities, a specific learning disability involves one or more basic psychological processes related to understanding or using language, spoken or written. This may affect abilities to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or perform mathematical calculations. Examples include:

• Perceptual disabilities

• Brain injury

• Minimal brain dysfunction

• Dyslexia

• Developmental aphasia

Exclusions include learning problems primarily caused by visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, or environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.

FAQs

1. Who can apply?
Only U.S.-based nonprofit organizations exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Individual applications are not eligible.

2. What types of projects are funded?
Projects focusing on research, public awareness, or programs that enhance achievement, family support, and professional understanding of learning disabilities.

3. Can funds be used for salaries or operational costs?
No, routine organizational expenses, salaries, overhead, capital campaigns, and endowment funds are not eligible.

4. What is the application deadline?
September 15, 2026.

5. Are unspent funds required to be returned?
Yes, any unspent funds must be returned to the LDFA within 60 days of project completion.

6. What reporting is required?
Recipients must submit progress and final reports using LDFA forms, including financial accounting and acknowledgment of funding.

7. Can projects claim exclusive rights to results?
No, the LDFA retains non-exclusive rights to project results.