The Community Foundation of Broward is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Taft Foundation, and other potential funders, to advance opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Broward County.
Through this partnership, The Taft Foundation and the Community Foundation will launch a targeted grants initiative to strengthen coordinated supports that help youth and young adults with IDD transition successfully into adulthood.
While the Community Foundation has supported organizations serving the IDD community in various ways for years, this initiative is the first formal grantmaking program dedicated specifically to advancing services, supports and opportunities for people with IDD.
What is IDD?
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions that typically begin during childhood and can affect learning, behavior, communication and daily functioning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1 in 6 children in the United States has a developmental disability. IDD can include: Autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, emotional or behavioral disability, traumatic brain injury, fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, developmental delays and more.
How the Collaboration Works
The Taft Foundation is providing $200,000, which is being matched by the Community Foundation, creating a $400,000 grant pool to support nonprofit organizations delivering transition and navigation services for youth and young adults ages 12–24+.
This initiative prioritizes strategies that expand opportunity, strengthen the network of nonprofit support and provide sustained, long-term support beyond the traditional age of 22. We are advancing this work by:
- Expanding pathways to post-secondary education, including inclusive college and university programs, vocational and technical education, credentialing programs and other continuing learning opportunities.
- Increasing workforce readiness through career exploration, job readiness training, work-based learning experiences and meaningful employment opportunities.
- Strengthening navigation across systems, services and social supports to help individuals and families access resources and opportunities, including preventing service disruptions or benefit cliffs as youth age out of eligibility or experience changes in status.
- Supporting the development of independent living skills, self-advocacy and community participation.
Nonprofits, stay tuned for information about opportunities to apply for grants!
“We are honored to partner with The Taft Foundation and work alongside local providers, advocates, families, and community leaders to strengthen the network of services and supports while identifying new pathways to education, employment, independence, and community participation.” – Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward
“Through this initiative, we are deepening our commitment to ensuring that young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not only supported, but empowered to pursue meaningful lives.” – Nina M. Bershadker, Executive Director of The Taft Foundation.
To learn more about this grantmaking collaboration, contact Randy Feliciano, Community Foundation Director of Community Impact, at rfeliciano@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
