Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund Guidelines
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), announces a new annual competitive grant opportunity available to select organizations within Pennsylvania. This special opportunity is made possible by the Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.
Grant Amount
Up to $20,000
Applications Open: December 1, 2023
Applications Close: February 1, 2024
Funding Priorities
The purpose of The Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund is advocating for the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. The Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund invites established 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations to submit proposals to support activities that:
- Assure the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities, and/or
- Develop and disseminate factual material for the awareness and understanding of all segments of the public, and/or
- Promote or provide a continuity of quality human services, and/or
- Involve persons with cerebral palsy in decision making processes affecting their lives.
The committee seeks to support activities that benefit individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families in Pennsylvania.
Grant Eligibility
ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS
Each year, a range of organizations will be invited to apply for grant funding through the Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund, and we are pleased to state that your organization has been selected for this application opportunity in 2023. Applicants must either be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization act as a fiscal sponsor for the proposed project. Note: This fund will also announce a new public opportunity in 2023, but that process and application is separate from the invitation-only process described here.
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Grants are available to nonprofit organizations serving individuals and their families in Pennsylvania. Preference will be given to programs and/or services that raise awareness of service access gaps, promote inclusion, support individual choice and control, support community services over institutional services, and provide access to assistive technology.
Eligible activities may include (but are not limited to)
- Education, advocacy and public information efforts.
- Financial support for the acquisition of assistive technology.
- Legal advocacy and support to exercise due process rights and entitlements.
- Systems change activities to ensure access to inclusive health and human services.
- Programs and services in support of the fund priorities and grant preferences.
Proposals should
- Support or enhance existing programs and services.
- Empower the disadvantaged and underserved.
- Be collaborative in nature, if applicable.
- Demonstrate measurable and achievable outcomes.
Grant Timeline
- November 1, 2023: Application available.
- February 1, 2024 : All application materials must be submitted online.
- Applicants will be notified of their status by June 1, 2024.
- Proposed projects may take place at any time during the grant year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.
What We Do Not Fund
The fund does not make grants directly to for-profit organizations. In addition, in alignment with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) guidelines, the following activities are not eligible for support:
- Advertising*
- Capital campaigns
- Direct lobbying to influence legislation or funding appropriations*
- Individuals
- National and statewide umbrella organizations that cannot demonstrate a local presence
- New staff positions without a substantial plan for sustainability
- Religious organizations for religious purposes
- Retroactive projects
*Grant proposals that include these should describe the scope, purpose and guidelines.
Criteria for Evaluating Proposals
The Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund makes all grantmaking decision and consists of a dedicated group of individuals committed to activities that benefit individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families in Pennsylvania. The Grant Review Committee may request additional information about the grant proposal prior to making an award or denial.
Below is a list of the criteria utilized to evaluate applications.
- (50) – Connection to the Mission of the Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund
- Need and target audience is clearly stated.
- Narrative provides a clear picture of all proposed actions and activities.
- Project/program dates and locations are clearly addressed and anticipated.
- (15) – Roles and responsibilities are defined and work to strengthen/enhance the project.
- Partnerships, collaborations, services and affiliations are clearly defined if applicable.
- (15) – Funding:
- Project has a funding diversification plan and is not 100% dependent upon grant award.
- Budget Worksheet clearly defines where awarded funds will be applied.
- (15) – Project success is clearly defined and measurable.
- Goals are measurable and anticipated outcomes are clearly defined.
- (10) – Diversity Equity and Inclusion:
- Project demonstrates how it will be inclusive/accessible to all applicable audiences.
- The board, staff and/or volunteers reflect the community and the people being served.
- (100) – TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE
Resources
- Application Tutorial
- How to register and apply
- Draft Reviews
- Applicants may request a draft review of their application up to 2 weeks prior to the deadline. To request a draft review contact the Community Investment Team, at grants@tfec.org.
If you should have any questions regarding TFEC grant opportunities or your application, please contact the Community Investment Team, at grants@tfec.org or 717-236-5040. Questions are welcome at any time!
