OUR COMMITMENT
NEXT for AUTISM is committed to enhancing the lives of adults with autism. One way we accomplish this is through our extensive grants program. By leveraging amazing people and talents across the country, we magnify our overall impact.
Thanks to the proceeds Night of Too Many Stars, NEXT launched a grants program in 2008 with the mission of impacting autistic individuals today by supporting autism programs and services nationwide. In recent years NEXT has added a focus on programs that reach transitional age and adult populations, which are often underfunded as well as championing autistic led and centered initiatives. Our team is inspired by the amazing organizations that are providing enriching opportunities for autistic adults throughout the U.S.
MOST RECENT GRANT RECIPIENTS
2023 Color the Spectrum grant recipients: view here
2022 Color the Spectrum grant recipients: view here
The 2024 grant cycle will open in Spring 2024. Email grants@NEXTforAUTISM.org with any questions you may have.
THE GRANT EFFECT
Since the program's inception, NEXT for AUTISM, has funded more than 350 projects at 145 organizations across the United States, including 20 autistic-led organizations since 2019.
These NEXT-funded programs have impacted more than 100,000* autistic individuals. (*Based on self-reported data from grantees dating back to 2012.)
IMPACT BY DESIGN
NEXT follows a rigorous review process to identify and award grants. The review committee is comprised of neurodivergent and neurotypical professionals, with roles both internal and external to the organization. Each committee member utilizes a rubric to score applications based on pre-determined requirements, and with the goal that the grant works toward fulfilling NEXT’s vision that everyone deserves to lead a productive and fulfilling life. The committee then collectively discusses and scores the applications.
NEXT was amongst the first proud seed funders for organizations like Urban Autism Solutions, Exceptional Minds, and Shepherds Way, organizations that were started by pure grit and passion for serving the autism community. Today NEXT focuses on autistic-led and community grants.
AUTISTIC-LED ORGANIZATIONS
The 2022 grants cycle launched a dedicated autistic-led grants category in three essential areas – home, work, and social. NEXT leads the way in funding for autistic-led organizations and initiatives. Click here to see the 2022 grant recipients. Click here to see the 2023 grant recipients.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to connect with some of the amazing individuals and organizations through our grants program,” shared Abigayle Jayroe, NEXT for AUTISM’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations. “Their creativity and dedication to support the right of all individuals to live their best life is truly inspiring.”
“Communication 4 ALL is thrilled to partner with NEXT for AUTISM to help non-speakers with autism gain access to communication. An estimated 40% of individuals with autism cannot reliably use speech for communication. This seed grant will launch C4A Academy providing free, online video lessons for families and schools to teach nonspeakers how to type with an approach that allows them to overcome their motor issues. It’s never too late to teach a non-speaker to type and we are grateful that NEXT for AUTISM sees this pathway for adult non-speakers.”
Elizabeth Bonker
Founder and Executive Director
Communication 4 ALL
GRANT CYCLES AND CATEGORIES
NEXT will open an autistic and community-led grant cycle in March 2024. To learn more, click here to view the 2023 guidelines and FAQs, or email grants@NEXTforAUTISM.org with any questions you may have.
GRANTEE SPOTLIGHTS
B3 Coffee Pours It On
HELP IMPACT THE FUTURE
Funding for grants comes from NEXT signature events, Color the Spectrum and Night of Too Many Stars, as well as individual donors and corporate partners.
You can help provide life-enhancing services for autistic adults with a financial gift to NEXT for AUTISM. Give today.
COLOR THE SPECTRUM GRANT
CLICK HERE for details on 2023 Color the Spectrum grant cycle. The Color the Spectrum Community Grants are funded by proceeds raised during the 2021 NEXT for AUTISM’s COLOR THE SPECTRUM one time only livestream event, in partnership with YouTube.
NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS GRANT
Since 2006, the Night of Too Many Stars benefit has raised over $30 million toward NEXT for AUTISM’s mission to provide children and adults with autism the opportunity to live fulfilling, engaged, and meaningful lives.
