Ability Central is seeking innovative projects that expand communication, accessibility, and inclusion for people who are Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent throughout California.  

Through the 2027–2028 grant cycle, eligible organizations may request between $10,000 and $200,000 to support programs that create meaningful, measurable community impact. 

Funding will support projects taking place between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2028. 

Grant Timeline 

• July 1st — Letter of Intent opens

• August 31st — Letter of Intent due by 5:00PM to Ability Central

• September — Selected organizations invited to submit a full Request for Proposal (RFP)

• October 31st — Full RFP due to Ability Central 

• December — Funding recipients notified and grants awarded

Letter of Intent Details

Submit your Letter of Intent (LOI) using the button below. Electronic applications only. All submissions must be received by Monday, August 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Before beginning your application, please review the funding requirements and instructions below. 

Instructions

Grant Period

This is a 2-year grant supporting projects between January 1st, 2027, to December 31st, 2028. 

Funding Request

Organizations may request $10,000–$200,000 for a single project. 

Proposal Expectations

• Describe one project that clearly addresses one of the four focus areas.

• Competitive proposals will include clear goals, measurable outcomes, realistic implementation plans, and defined methods for evaluating impact.

• Answer all questions clearly and completely before submitting the online LOI form.

Guidelines

Eligibility

• Only nonprofits and research institutions are eligible.

• Projects must serve California residents.

• Geographic eligibility is based on where the program serves participants, not the organization’s headquarters.

Organizational Requirements

• Management of the organization and project is overseen by reliable, ethical and experienced personnel.  

• Appropriate governance practices.

• Independent board and document retention policies are preferred.

Funding Restrictions

• Capital campaigns and endowments are not eligible for funding.

• Scholarships and individual stipends are not eligible for funding.

• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or political affiliation are not eligible for funding.

Focus Areas

Projects must align with one of the following four focus areas for this cycle. 

‣ Accessible Educational Materials & Environments

This initiative funds programs based on ensuring students can fully access curriculum and classroom experiences. This program includes things such as accessible textbooks and digital content (braille, audio, captioning), classroom modifications and sensory-friendly spaces, and communication supports such as AAC tools.

‣ Assistive & Digital Accessibility

This initiative funds programs expanding access to tools to enable individuals with disabilities to engage independently and effectively across workplace, community, education, and public settings. This funding program could include the purchase of screen readers, AAC devices, assistive technology and adaptive software. This funding program could also cover things such as accessible learning platforms, content remediation, and training for educators and support staff.

‣ Communication Access in Public Services

This initiative funds programs related to improving communication accessibility in essential systems and services. This program funds and supports initiatives such as accessible communication in healthcare, education, and government services; staff training in communication accessibility and disability etiquette, and tools for accessible customer service and public engagement.

‣ Community Inclusion & Social Participation

This initiative funds programs expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities to actively engage in community life.  This includes programs that support inclusive community events and programs, peer networks, and social groups, and volunteer and civic engagement opportunities.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Select the focus area that best aligns with your project.

• Submit one project per application.

• Provide measurable outcomes and realistic metrics.

• Explain how funding will be used over the two-year grant period.

• Complete every required field before submitting.

Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that their Letter of Intent (LOI) has been successfully received by Ability Central before the submission deadline.

Our Funding Priorities

Keep in mind the mission statement of Ability Central: “To serve as a resource, convener, and educator working collaboratively to ensure that people who are Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent can communicate and access information”.

When reviewing proposals, we prioritize projects that align with our mission and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Bold new venture, building new solutions

• Addresses an urgent or critical community need

• Offers new approaches to long-standing problems.