Color the Spectrum Community Grants Program – US

The application categories for the Color the Spectrum Community Grants include:

• Home: Thousands of autistic adults are in need of quality living environments. Grants in this focus area should address the need to design and/or develop and maintain high quality living environments for adults with autism.
• Work: Autistic individuals experience under and unemployment. Grants to address this area should address the need for autistic adults to gain and retain paid employment.
• Social: Disconnection and isolation are not uncommon for autistic adults. Grants focused in this area should support autistic adults to make connections, build relationships, and establish friendships.

Funding Information

These $25,000 community grants will be awarded to support the transition from school to adulthood in the following three areas: home, work and social. This year, NEXT for AUTISM is also championing autistic led and centered organizations and initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

• NEXT for AUTISM will, in its sole discretion, consider supporting 501c3 non-profit organizations working within the United States that generally meet the following criteria:
  • Have started innovative programs, services, systems or models of service delivery that make improved outcomes likely.
  • Can demonstrate program sustainability and measure impact.
  • Preference will be given to those programs that serve the underserved.
• Additional Requirements
  • Targeted funds from Color the Spectrum are reserved for autistic led and centered organizations and initiatives.
  • Organizations must have 501c3 non-profit status
  • Support requested should benefit autistic individuals.
  • Grants may not be used for capital costs.
  • NEXT for AUTISM prefers program-specific requests.
  • Preference will be given to programs that utilize an evidence-based methodology.
  • All grantees will be required to file a Grant Report providing feedback to NEXT for AUTISM on the success of implementing the specified purpose of the grant, including reporting on measurable outcomes.
  • NEXT for AUTISM may require site visits.
  • The advisory grant committee(s) will evaluate the full proposal and provide recommendations to the NEXT for AUTISM Board regarding funding.
  • Preference will be given to qualified programs that will also expand the geographic diversity of their grants.
  • Preference will be given to those who serve low resource populations.

For more information, visit NEXT for AUTISM.