OVERVIEW: The WITH Foundation supports health services, research, advocacy and professional development programs that aim to improve healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
IP TAKE: Previously known as the Special Hope Foundation, the WITH Foundation focuses on improving healthcare access and delivery to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The foundation has recently given to advocacy groups, research institutes, healthcare systems and professional development programs for healthcare workers. WITH runs three grant cycles per year; for two it accepts LOIs from organizations working in its areas of interest, and for the other cycle, it posts an RFP for projects of timely or specific interest to the foundation. Grant range from $30,000 to $200,000.
PROFILE: The WITH Foundation, formerly the Special Hope Foundation, was established in 2002 in San Mateo, California. The foundation aims to “promote the establishment of comprehensive healthcare for adults with developmental disabilities that is designed to address their unique and fundamental needs.” Grantmaking encompasses direct health services for disabled individuals, education and awareness programs for healthcare professionals, policy development and general operating support for organizations working in the foundation’s specific area of interest. The foundation also supports research on innovations and best practices in healthcare for disabled populations.
Recent grantmaking has prioritized initiatives and research that aims to eliminate or decrease barriers to quality healthcare for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). One recent grant supported an investigation of the efficacy of telehealth visits for IDD patients at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. Another grant went to the Sepsis Alliance for the development of training and educational programs for healthcare professionals addressing “sepsis risk and treatment considerations in the ID adult population.” Other recent grantees include the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California, the National Disability Rights Network and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
WITH makes about $750,000 in grants each year, with grants ranging from $30,000 to $200,000. While grantmaking is national in scope, this funder prioritizes organizations operating in the San Francisco Bay Area. WITH grantees include advocacy groups, healthcare networks, research institutes and organizations involved in providing direct services to disabled individuals. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s previous grant recipients page.
The WITH Foundation runs three annual grant cycles. For two of the cycles it accepts letters of inquiry via an online portal which opens on the first of March and November. The other grant cycle consists of an RFP for projects or research that are of specific and timely interest to the foundation. The RFP cycle opens on July 1. For guidelines and eligibility information, see the foundation’s application and FAQ pages. General inquiries may be submitted to WITH via its contact page.
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