Private Grants for Individuals with Disabilities

General Support

Private grants offer significant financial assistance to individuals with disabilities, covering areas such as healthcare, education, housing, and daily living expenses. These grants are typically provided by nonprofit organizations, companies, and private foundations. Below, we outline some key grant programs across different areas to help disabled individuals access the resources they need.

Healthcare Grants for Individuals with Disabilities

Medical expenses, including treatments, equipment, and therapies, can be overwhelming for disabled individuals. Thankfully, several private grants are available to help cover these costs.

The HSC Foundation’s Life Enrichment Awards Program (LEAP)

The HSC Foundation offers grants through the Life Enrichment Awards Program (LEAP), designed to support young people with disabilities by funding medical equipment and therapies that promote independence and integration into the community.

Eligibility: Individuals aged 14-26 with disabilities are eligible.
Grant Use: Grants can be used for assistive devices, therapies, and healthcare-related expenses.

For details, visit https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/rehabilitation-specialized-care/community-and-rec-therapy/leap.

The United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) Medical Grants

The United Healthcare Children’s Foundation offers medical grants to families with disabled children, covering medical treatments, therapies, and equipment not fully covered by insurance.

Who Can Apply: Children under 16 with a documented disability.
Grant Use: Covers therapies, medical equipment, and surgeries.

Learn more at www.uhccf.org.

The Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Co-Pay Relief Program offers financial assistance to individuals with chronic illnesses, including disabilities, to help cover co-payments for medications and treatments. This program ensures that individuals have access to necessary healthcare services without being burdened by high out-of-pocket costs.

Eligibility: Individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses who require assistance with co-payments.
Grant Use: Covers co-payments for prescription medications, medical treatments, and health services.

For more details, visit https://rarediseases.org/organizations/patient-advocate-foundation-co-pay-relief/.

Educational Grants

Education is key for personal and professional growth, and there are private grants available to help disabled individuals achieve their academic goals.

The Incight Scholarship Program

The Incight Scholarship Program provides educational grants to disabled individuals pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training. This program is dedicated to helping students with disabilities gain academic success and enter the workforce.

Who Can Apply: Students with documented disabilities enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution.
Grant Use: Covers tuition, books, and other educational expenses.

For more information, visit www.incight.org.

The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation Scholarship

The Ethel Louise Armstrong (ELA) Foundation offers scholarships to women with disabilities pursuing graduate degrees. These scholarships help women achieve their professional and academic goals while also encouraging leadership in disability advocacy.

Eligibility: Women with disabilities pursuing a graduate degree in the U.S.
Grant Use: Funds are used for tuition, books, and educational materials.

Learn more at www.ela.org.

Pell Grants

Pell Grants are federal grants aimed at low-income students, including disabled individuals. These grants do not need to be repaid and can be used to cover educational expenses such as tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Who Qualifies: Low-income students with documented disabilities enrolled in undergraduate programs.
Grant Use: Covers tuition, books, and other academic-related costs.

For details, visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell.

Housing Grants for Individuals with Disabilities

Securing affordable, accessible housing is often a challenge for disabled individuals. Several grants are available to help cover the costs of home modifications and affordable housing.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program offers rental assistance to disabled individuals and low-income families. This program helps cover a portion of the rent, allowing individuals to find affordable housing in the private market.

Eligibility: Disabled individuals who meet income requirements.
Grant Use: Covers rental payments for accessible housing.

For more information, visit https://www.usa.gov/housing-voucher-section-8.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity helps disabled individuals by building affordable, accessible homes or making necessary home modifications. Families can participate in building their homes, with the goal of providing affordable mortgage payments.

Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate financial need and contribute “sweat equity” by helping with home construction.
Grant Use: Provides affordable housing or modifies homes to meet accessibility needs.

For more details, visit www.habitat.org.

The Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation offers Quality of Life Grants to nonprofit organizations that provide services for individuals with paralysis. These grants are often used to fund home modifications, adaptive equipment, and accessibility improvements.

Eligibility: Individuals with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or other disabilities may benefit through nonprofit organizations.
Grant Use: Modifies homes for accessibility, covers costs of adaptive equipment.

For more information, visit www.christopherreeve.org.

Nonprofit Organizations Providing Grants for Disabled Individuals

Nonprofit organizations are essential in providing private grants to disabled individuals. These grants cover a wide range of needs, from education to healthcare and housing.

The HSC Foundation

The HSC Foundation focuses on providing young individuals with disabilities access to grants that improve their quality of life. The foundation’s programs help cover healthcare costs, assistive technology, and community inclusion initiatives.

For more information, visit https://www.hscfoundationinc.org/.

The Travis Roy Foundation

The Travis Roy Foundation is dedicated to providing grants for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The foundation’s grants cover expenses related to home modifications and specialized equipment to improve mobility and independence.

Learn more at www.travisroyfoundation.org.

Companies Offering Grants for Disabled Individuals

Some private companies also offer grants to disabled individuals, often focusing on specific areas like assistive technology or educational opportunities.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is a scholarship initiative designed to recognize and support high-achieving students, including those with disabilities, who demonstrate leadership and commitment to community service. The scholarship helps fund educational expenses for students pursuing higher education.

Eligibility: High school seniors, including students with disabilities, who demonstrate academic excellence and community involvement.
Grant Use: Covers tuition, books, and educational expenses for undergraduate studies.

For more information, visit www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

Microsoft Disability Scholarship

The Microsoft Disability Scholarship is designed to empower disabled students pursuing technology-related careers. This scholarship provides financial assistance to cover tuition and other academic expenses while encouraging diversity in the tech industry.

Eligibility: High school seniors with disabilities pursuing a STEM-related degree.
Grant Use: Covers tuition, books, and other educational costs.

Learn more at www.microsoft.com.

Conclusion

Private grants from nonprofit organizations and companies provide crucial financial support to disabled individuals, helping them access healthcare, education, and housing. In addition to these private grants, disabled individuals can explore state-specific assistance programs, financial aid, and housing assistance options to maximize available help. By leveraging these resources, disabled individuals can improve their quality of life and achieve greater independence.