Grants — The N.O.A.H. Foundation

Who Is Eligible

Built for the families who need it most.

Year-One eligibility is intentionally focused so we can deliver real, accountable support. As the foundation grows, our reach will grow with it.

✓Child has a diagnosis of profound autism
✓Child is under 18 years of age
✓Household income under $150,000
✓Currently focused on North Carolina families; expanding regionally as funding grows.

How Funds May Be Used

Real costs. Real lives.

Grants are designed to support the everyday realities of caregiving — the things that don't always fit neatly into insurance or other programs.

Therapy Services

ABA, occupational, speech, and physical therapy — including out-of-pocket session costs and specialty programs not covered by insurance.

AAC & Communication

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, picture boards, communication apps, and supporting accessories.

Adaptive Equipment

Sensory tools, weighted blankets, therapy swings, adaptive bikes, mobility aids, and equipment that brings calm or independence.

Respite & Family

Respite care, restorative family experiences, sibling support, and the small recoveries that sustain caregivers for the long road.

What Your Grant Becomes

What a $1,000 grant might fund.

We'll show you the math. Because abstract numbers don't change days — specific ones do.

Communication

One Tobii Dynavox AAC device starter package$850
Setup and first month's training$150

$1,000 One child finding their voice.

Therapy

Six private speech therapy sessions$720
Two months of communication app subscription$80
Take-home materials and parent training$200

$1,000 A breakthrough that wouldn't otherwise happen.

Respite

One weekend of qualified respite care$600
One sensory-friendly family experience$400

$1,000 A family with the strength to keep going.

These are illustrative examples. Each grant is shaped to a family's real, specific need.

How It Works

A simple, compassionate process.

We've kept the application straightforward — because families navigating profound autism already manage enough complexity. Apply when your need is real, not when a window opens.

01

Apply anytime

Open year-round

Submit a short application with your story and supporting context — therapy invoices, device estimates, or a letter from a clinician or teacher. No fixed windows, no waiting for the calendar.

02

We respond within two weeks

A real person reads every word — usually Stephanie or Nick, sometimes both

We review each application personally and follow up — often with a few clarifying questions. You'll never be left wondering whether your application was received.

03

Decisions in three to four weeks

From submission to answer

We assess each application on financial need, immediate impact, and family situation. If approved, you'll know quickly so you can plan.

04

Funds within seven days

Direct to you or your provider

Grants are sent directly so they reach their intended use immediately — for the therapy, the device, the respite, the moment that matters.

Ready to apply?

Applications are open. We'll guide you through every step — no jargon, no judgment.

Start your application →

How We Review

How we evaluate every application.

Transparent criteria. No mystery. The clearer we are about what we look for, the better your application can be.

35%

Immediate Impact

Will this grant make a real, near-term difference in your child's life or your family's stability?

30%

Financial Need

How meaningful is $500–$1,500 to your family's ability to access this support? Are other funding sources unavailable or exhausted?

20%

Specificity of the Request

Is the requested support concrete — a specific therapy, device, or service — with a clear path to use?

15%

Story & Context

Your family's everyday reality matters. We read every word.

Frequently Asked

Answers before you ask.

What does "profound autism" mean for the purpose of this grant?

Profound autism generally refers to individuals who require substantial daily support, often have significant communication differences (including being nonverbal or minimally verbal), and may have co-occurring intellectual or developmental disabilities. The N.O.A.H. Foundation looks at the family's everyday reality, not just a diagnostic code — supporting documentation from a clinician helps us understand the full picture.

How fast will I hear back?

We aim to respond to every application within two weeks, with a final decision in three to four weeks. If we need more information, a real person will reach out — you'll never be left wondering. Approved grants are typically funded within seven days of approval.

How is the grant amount determined?

Each grant is between $500 and $1,500. The exact amount depends on the request, the immediacy of the need, and the cycle's available funds. We aim to support as many families as possible while still making each grant meaningful.

Do you have application deadlines?

No. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. We do operate on quarterly funding cycles internally — meaning each quarter has a set budget — but you don't need to time your application to any deadline. Apply when your family's need is real.

Can a family apply more than once?

A family may receive one grant per calendar year. You can apply anytime — there are no fixed windows. If you don't receive a grant in your initial review (for example, if a quarter's funds are already committed), your application rolls into the next quarter automatically. You'll always know where you stand.

What documents do I need to submit?

The core application is short — a personal story and basic family information. To strengthen your application, you can attach supporting items like therapy invoices, device or equipment estimates, a clinician's letter, or a school recommendation. We'll never require more than is reasonable.

How are grant funds delivered?

Grants are sent directly to recipients (or, where preferred, paid directly to a service provider or vendor) so funds reach their intended use immediately. We work with each family on the simplest path to delivery.

Is the grant taxable?

The N.O.A.H. Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Grants are typically considered charitable assistance, but tax treatment can depend on individual circumstances. We recommend consulting a tax professional with any specific questions.

What if I'm not sure my child qualifies?

Reach out anyway. We'd rather have a real conversation than have you self-disqualify. Email us directly at hello@thenoahfdn.org — we'll take it from there.

I'm a therapist, teacher, or pediatrician — can I refer a family?

Yes — please do. Discreet professional referrals are one of the most meaningful ways our work reaches the families who need it. Refer a family here.

For Professionals

Therapists, teachers, and pediatricians — you're our most trusted referral source.

If you work with a family who could use this support, we'd rather hear from you than miss them.

Refer a family

Discreet, secure referrals from clinicians, educators, and healthcare professionals. We'll reach out to the family directly — you stay out of the financial conversation.

Submit a referral →

Join our referral network

Be added to our list of trusted professionals. We'll send quarterly updates, eligibility refreshers, and a one-page program summary you can share with families.

Join the network →

Grants that arrive in the right month.