SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please note that we ONLY accept electronic applications, which must be submitted by Friday October 31st, 2025, at 5:00 pm.
Please submit your Letter of Intent (LOI) using the LOI form link listed in the Apply for a Grant section of our website.
Ability Central strives to be a leader in funding programs that expand access to communication and information for people who are Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent. For our 2026 Grant Year, we are looking for strong applicants who show enduring community commitment. This funding cycle is a 2-year funding cycle, which will run from 2026 to 2028.
Your Letter of Intent (LOI) introduces your project to us. For us to consider your grant, please make sure you thoroughly read the following instructions and the instructions on the LOI form itself.
Given the space provided on the LOI form, be as specific as you can. The prospective program/project should strive to address a significant problem in one of our designated focus areas for the 2026 Grant Year. The connection to the focus area(s) should be clear and identifiable. In addition, please provide estimated Results and impact, along with provable metrics as to how you envision accomplishing these outcomes.
The four Focus areas for this cycle are:
Digital Accessibility Software and Applications
This initiative funds programs based on continued development and implementation of web and mobile based applications of innovative software and technologies, services, and solutions benefiting people with disabilities. It also supports the creation of new technologies, services, and solutions, with an emphasis on expanding access and inclusion.
Assistive Technology
This initiative funds programs based on developing and utilizing tools like screen readers, speech-to-text software, and other assistive technologies that help individuals with disabilities overcome barriers to learning and performing tasks.
Workforce Development
This initiative funds programs to support training, assistive technology, experience and support for people with disabilities, emphasizing both hard and soft skill development in relation to the workforce. This can include training, mentorships, work-based learning programs, and coaching assistance. This includes developmental opportunities and tailored training for targeted communities, such as communication differences and disabled individuals, while promoting the use of existing resources.
Communication
This initiative funds programs to support the expansion of communication access programs and/or support the increase in the inclusion and participation of communication differences and disabilities individuals and others with disabilities in events and programs. It also promotes the use of existing resources to support equitable access and engagement.
You are allowed to request between $10,000 and $200,000 for your organization/project over 2 years.
In addition to the demographic form on the first page, the second page of the LOI includes a list of questions. To be considered for funding, each question must be answered thoroughly in the body of the LOI. The more detail you provide about your program, the better positioned you’ll be in the review process
Please answer ALL of the questions clearly and completely on the LOI form itself.
We must receive the LOI by the stated deadline, October 31st, 2025, at 5:00 pm. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. All submissions shall be completed electronically using the fillable form.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the submitter to verify that the LOI has been successfully received by Ability Central by the deadline if you choose.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
Ability Central aims to support organizations where our funding can make a measurable, positive impact.
Ability Central will prioritize groups that demonstrate proper and effective governance standards based on the size and maturity of their organization. In addition, Ability Central would prefer organizations to have an independent board of directors, a whistleblower policy, and document retention policies.
Projects that involve discriminatory practices—including preferential treatment based on race, national origin, ethnicity, physical ability, gender, political affiliation, or religious belief—will not be considered. Additionally, organizations with an exclusively sectarian purpose are not eligible for funding.
Ability Central does not provide grants to fund capital campaigns or endowments.
SERVICE AREA – The geographic region from which Ability Central accepts applications is clearly defined. Ability Central only accepts applications from organizations in California.
Grant eligibility shall be determined by where the program operates or where the population served resides, not the location of the Organization’s headquarters.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST
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 considering funding, we prioritize projects that align with this mission and meet at least one of the following criteria::
it is a bold new venture,
it addresses an urgent or critical need,
it offers new approaches to time-worn problems.
These are Ability Central’s guiding principles for grants. In order to be eligible to apply, an organization’s project MUST MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THESE CRITERIA.
Best of luck to you and your program!