NEW YORK, NY, July, 3, 2021 – NEXT for AUTISM, a leading nonprofit organization supporting
the needs of autistic people and their families across the country, today announced $25,000
Color the Spectrum Community Grants. Funded by the proceeds from NEXT for AUTISM’s
Color the Spectrum, a livestream fundraising event held earlier this year to provide funding for
organizations and initiatives that support the transition for autistic youth and young adults from
school to adulthood. The Community Grants will be awarded to nonprofits that address this
transition in three essential areas – home, work, and social. NEXT for AUTISM is also
championing autistic-led and autistic-centered organizations and initiatives, with targeted funds
reserved for applications and proposals that fit this criteria.
“The success of the Color the Spectrum livestream event will help us provide desperately
needed funds for the vast community of autistic individuals who continually face a void in
resources as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. We hope our Color the Spectrum
Community Grants will inspire more people to create, sustain, and safeguard the vital
resources needed for autistic adults to thrive,” says Gillian Leek, CEO of NEXT for AUTISM.
Virtual information sessions regarding the letter of intent process will be held on Monday, June
7th, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern (register here) and Thursday, June 10th, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern (register
here). The three application categories for Color the Spectrum Community Grants are home,
to address the need for autistic adults to live in and be able to foster high quality home
environments; work, to support gaining and retaining positive paid employment in a society
where employment opportunities can be difficult for autistic individuals to identify, cultivate, and
maintain; and social, to increase the quality and quantity of autistic individuals’ connections and
relationships to avoid the isolation and disconnection commonly felt by autistic adults.
The application guidelines for grant candidates to submit a letter of intent are now online and
open until August 1, 2021 at 5pm EST. All Color the Spectrum Community Grant letters of
intent will undergo evaluation by NEXT for AUTISM’s advisory grant committees which include
members of the autistic community. Qualified candidates will be invited to submit a full
proposal.
For more information, please visit NEXTforAUTISM.org or contact NEXT for AUTISM directly at
[email protected] or 212-759-3775.
NEXT for AUTISM transforms the national landscape of services for people with autism by
strategically designing, launching, and supporting innovative programs. We believe that
individuals with autism have the potential to live fulfilling, productive lives when supported by
excellent services and connected to their communities. We continually ask, what’s next for
people on the autism spectrum? www.NEXTforAUTISM.org
Media Contact:
Madeline Louden
(310) 795-8252
[email protected]
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