LOI Date: 07/25/25 Deadline: 08/22/25 5:00 PM EST Receipt
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Grant Description
Grants to Indiana nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life of adults and children with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities in eligible counties. Some applicants must submit an LOI and first-time applicants must contact program staff prior to applying. Funding is intended to help people with disabilities function independently, be included in the community, and reach their highest potential. Eligible organizations serve the 12-county region of Northeast Indiana, including Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, or Whitley. Grants are provided for programs, capital projects, and operating support.
Foundation priority initiatives:
Education and Employment: Supporting access to educational resources and activities to be successful learners, both academically and in developing life skills, that offer individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity for meaningful employment.
Early Diagnosis and System Navigation: Exploring programs that recognize and diagnose disabilities early to achieve each individual’s highest potential, providing easy access and information to assist families and caregivers, and gaining a better understanding of effective therapies for individuals with disabilities.
Transportation: Pursuing opportunities for accessible, affordable community transportation increasing access to locations throughout the community for individuals with disabilities.
Housing: Broadening opportunities for safe, secure, and affordable housing that provides a variety of beneficial living environments for individuals with disabilities.
Promoting Social Enrichment: Seeking inclusive and accessible social, recreational, and creative programs that engage and inspire individuals with disabilities.
To be competitive for funding, the request should:
Align with the AWS Foundation’s mission and initiatives.
Consider innovative or new approaches that address the needs of people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.
Serve a significant number of individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.
Requests to fund individuals, support fundraising activities of other organizations or religious activities are not competitive for funding.
Pre-Application Information
An LOI is required for requests that fall into one of these categories:
- The organization is making its first formal grant request;
- The request is for capital support regardless of amount;
- The request is for $50,000 or more;
- The funding is a multi-year request.
Applicants who are unsure about eligibility or who have never applied for a grant from the Foundation before should contact a member of the Grants team.
AWS Foundation has three traditional grant application deadlines per fiscal year. Below is the list of upcoming grant cycles. Applications open two weeks before their due date and must be received by 5 p.m. (EST) per the grant deadlines below and are accepted only via the Foundations website.
Spring 2025
- Letter of Intent Opens: Jan. 17, 2025
- Letter of Intent Due: Jan. 31, 2025
- Invitation to Apply By: Feb. 11, 2025
- Grant Application Opens: Feb. 14, 2025
- Grant Application Due: Feb. 28, 2025
- Decision Announcement: May 21, 2025
Summer 2025
- Letter of Intent Opens: Apr 11, 2025
- Letter of Intent Due: Apr. 25, 2025
- Invitation to apply by: May 2, 2025
- Grant Application Opens: May 9, 2025
- Grant Application Due: May 23, 2025
- Decision Announcement: Aug. 20, 2025
Fall 2025
- Letter of Intent Opens: Jul. 11, 2025
- Letter of Intent Due: Jul. 25, 2025
- Invitation to apply by: Aug. 1, 2025
- Grant Application Opens: Aug. 8, 2025
- Grant Application Due: Aug. 22, 2025
- Decision Announcement: Nov. 19, 2025
As you explore the possibilities and have questions about how your grant request aligns with the Foundation's mission and guidelines, please email or call Joni Schmalzried.
Before starting your grant application, please review
the funding source's website listed below for updates / changes / addendums /
conferences / LOIs.
