The Arc Baltimore’s Family Fund grant assists children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families with a variety of needs, including medical costs, therapies, summer camps, and more.
Families can apply during one of two grant periods in February and August.
For information or application questions, please contact our Outreach Team at 410-296-2272 or bfonte@thearcbaltimore.org or mstemler@thearcbaltimore.org.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Families must read all the eligibility requirements below because the application process has changed as of 7/1/2024. The Arc Baltimore will only review applications that include all required elements and are from families who meet the outlined eligibility requirements.
Please note that completing an application does not guarantee approval of the request. The Arc Baltimore will select recipients at their own discretion based on the severity of need, past use of the Family Fund or the Adopt a Family program, and other factors.
The family of a child under the age of 21 who has an intellectual and developmental disability (autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.) can apply.
The family member cannot be in the autism waiver or receive DDA services from another provider.
The family must not have participated in our Adopt-a-Family program within the last 12 months.
Families can apply for (up to) $500 for one need for each eligible child in the house and cannot combine multiple items for a total of $500 per child. Grant recipients are ineligible to apply for 24 months after the award.
- Medical needs, healthcare costs, or accessibility upgrades uncovered by insurance, like therapies, copays, medication, mobility equipment, wheelchair ramps, or safety rails
- Life-enhancing experiences such as equine therapy and gym memberships
- Summer camps and programming such as swimming classes and art lessons
- Emergency assistance with utility cutoff and eviction prevention for families who have a school-aged child with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the home
- For BGE assistance, applicants must provide documentation of the cut-off notice and that they have applied to Energy Assistance and the Fuel Fund before applying.
- For rent assistance, applicants must provide documentation of the eviction notice and their arrangements to settle the outstanding balance other than the Family Fund grant.
- Documentation of their child’s IDD diagnosis, street address in Baltimore County or City, and DOB to show they are under 21 years old.
- A detailed description of the requested item, the breakdown of costs, other funding sources (if only applying for a portion of the cost), the need, and how their child will benefit.
Grant period #1
2/1 – Grant application portal opens below
3/1 – Grant application portal closes
4/1 – Grant application announcements
Grant period #2
8/1 – Grant application portal opens below
9/1 – Grant application portal closes
10/1 – Grant application announcements
The Arc Baltimore will notify all recipients on the announcement date of each cycle or possibly earlier, depending upon approval.
Recipients cannot apply again for a Family Fund grant until 24 months after their approved application.
Recipients are ineligible to apply for our Adopt-a-Family program for the next 12 months.
Denied applications can apply for a Family Fund grant during the next grant period, and they can also apply to be recipients of The Arc’s Adopt-a-Family program during the holiday season.
GRANT APPLICATION
Family Fund Application
The Family Fund grant period is now closed. We expect to notify families by September 30, 2024. The following grant period is from February 1st - 28th, 2025.
The Arc Baltimore Family Fund is used by outreach staff to assist people with developmental disabilities or their families. As a flexible resource, the fund can be used for crises such as eviction prevention or utility turnoff, as well as needs not covered by insurance like some therapies, eyeglasses, wheelchair ramps, or other therapeutic equipment, games or activities such as horseback riding. It is also available to help with special needs to improve one’s life, such as camps, art lessons, or a gym membership for swimming. Other uses for the fund include - initial replacement funding up to $200 per child for clothes, toiletries, and outerwear. The fund can be used for car seats, pack n' plays, side rails for beds and emergency medical funding for copays and medications. The fund is comprised of contributions from individual donors, staff, and grants. People with disabilities or their families can apply, or referrals from other service agencies may be accepted.
ELIGIBILITY
- Living with their family or on their own in Baltimore City or Baltimore County.
- Someone in the family must have a documented intellectual/developmental disability
- Maximum of $500 once every 12 months
- May not be in the autism waiver or DDA services with another DDA provider
- Can be receiving DDA services if they are in limited services with The Arc Baltimore (not Community Living)
- Must complete the referral form and provide proof of disability
- The vendor must complete a W9 form (if not already in The Arc Baltimore system)
- If the Family Fund is paying a portion of the total cost, you must provide info on how the balance will be paid (family contribution, grant, insurance, energy assistance, etc.)
For further information, contact 410-296-2272 for Outreach, or bfonte@thearcbaltimore.org / mstemler@thearcbaltimore.org.
BRING BACK SUMMER
A project of The Arc Baltimore's Family Fund
Apply for (up to) $1,000 for summer camp or programming!
The Arc Baltimore is pleased to announce the availability of funds – up to $1,000 – for summer camp or recreational programming for children or adults with developmental disabilities who live in Baltimore City/County. After two tough years of the pandemic, we want to bring back some summer fun with the help of our Family Fund.
Anyone who has a financial need can apply below. Opportunity will end on 6/30/22.
