PWDF Update

PWDF Awards Grants to 13 Programs that Serve People with Psychiatric, Intellectual, and/or Developmental Disabilities (P/IDD)

Pilot Grant Program 2025 Awards

In February 2017, PWDF announced a pilot grant program to help other nonprofit agencies in their work to integrate people with P/IDD into the whole of society. Grants may be used for a specific program, project, or general operating expenses if related to a specific project or program in furtherance of providing advocacy, education, vocational, or other services to people with P/IDD.

In 2025, PWDF renewed grants to five current grantees and awarded grants to eight additional programs.  Please see our website for announcements and program requirements, including eligibility. (Note: PWDF is not accepting new letters of interest at this time and does not have any future grant cycles scheduled.  All cycles will be publicly announced through this e-newsletter and the Grants page on our website.)

PWDF made the following grant awards in 2025:

• Ability Inclusion Services in West Valley City, UT, was awarded $10,000 for community connections and expanding inclusive outings to community activities, such as cultural activities and volunteering.
• Amanda’s Adaptive Martial Arts in San Diego, CA, was awarded $7,500 for general support for adaptive martial arts programming for individuals with psychiatric, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities.
• CASS Housing in Fort Wayne, IN, was awarded $6,000 for the CASS Housing residential and support programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Community Access to the Arts in Great Barrington, MA, was awarded $10,000 for their performance-focused Arts Workshops for people with disabilities.
• Karis Community in Denver, CO, was awarded $10,000 for their Empowerment Program, a community-oriented residential program for adults managing serious and persistent mental illness as well as co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Laurel House in Stamford, CT, was awarded $10,000 for their Supported Education Program, assisting economically disadvantaged students living with a mental health disability enroll and succeed in post-secondary education, vocational certification, or complete a GED.
• Memphis Jewish Community Center (MJCC) in Memphis, TN, received $10,000 for MJCC Inclusion Camp 365, enabling access to their year-round camp program for children with disabilities.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Idaho, in Boise, received $8,500 for mental health specialty diversion court support.
• NAMI Santa Clara County, in San Jose, CA, $10,000 for their Community Peer Program for people with psychiatric disabilities to reduce hospitalization recidivism
• Pennsylvania Elks Major Projects, in Somerset, PA, received $10,000 to provide individualized support for persons with P/IDD.
• Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation Center, of San Francisco, CA, received $5,000 for community integration and engagement.)
• Positive Action Community Theatre in Encinitas, CA, received $12,500 for Performing Arts for Autism, including improvisational theater.
• Threshold Community Program (TCP) in Decatur, GA, received $7,500 for their Outdoor Recreation Program for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or other neurodiversity.

See our website for more information about PWDF’s Grant Program.

PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, which focuses on the rights of the mentally and developmentally disabled.

Services

Advocacy: PWDF advocates for Social Security claimant’s disability benefits in eight Bay Area counties. We also provide services in disability rights, on issues regarding returning to work, and in ADA consultations, including areas of employment, health care, and education, among others. There is representation before all levels of federal court and Administrative Law Judges. No one is declined due to their inability to pay, and we offer a sliding scale for attorney’s fees.

Education/Public Awareness: To help eliminate the stigma against people with mental disabilities in society, PWDF’s educational program organizes workshops and public seminars, provides guest speakers with backgrounds in mental health, and produces educational materials such as videos.

Continuing Education Provider: State Bar of California MCLE and Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.