Julie Cullifer and Jennifer Jenkins have sons with autism. After spending countless hours driving to Virginia Beach, Hampton and elsewhere for therapy and resources for their children, they started One Child Center for Autism to help locals in similar circumstances.
As the needs of their organization grew, Cullifer discovered that grants could help offset some of the financial needs of One Child Center for Autism. Nonprofits like Impact 100 and the Williamsburg Health Foundation provided those resources through awarded grants.
“It’s great to live in a community that is so generous and wants to invest in the nonprofits in their community,” said Cullifer.
Kids’ Night Out
The grant programs from Impact 100 and the Williamsburg Health Foundation helped One Child to offer one of its most successful programs, Kids’ Night Out, which is held at the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (WISC) and is supported by over 40 volunteers, nurses and behaviorists. Kids’ Night Out allows children with differences and their siblings a day to have fun in a safe environment while creating lasting friendships between the families.
Allison Brody, executive director of the Williamsburg Health Foundation, likes the focus for Kids’ Night Out. “We’re really trying to help people live their best lives and be the best versions of themselves,” said Brody.
Getting Started with Grants
When looking for grants, be meticulous. Read the fine print to ensure your organization qualifies and check to see if they have sponsored programs similar to yours. Williamsburg Health Foundation has funded scholarships through the Nonprofit Management Institute to help local nonprofits improve on administrative tasks or fundraising skills so their nonprofit can grow.
“I believe that the nonprofit world, the philanthropic world and public charities are the keepers of promises that individuals have made to society, and society has made to individuals,” Brody said.
Grants helped One Child invest in training material for therapy intervention so they could accept insurance and reduce the prices for various programs to help families offset co-payments.
Collaboration is Key
When smaller organizations don’t qualify for grants because they don’t have the record to demonstrate a sustainable program, collaboration becomes key. One Child gained the support of Child Development Resources since they served a similar clientele. Having the backing of CDR gave One Child the help needed to qualify for certain grants.
“The program sold itself,” said Paul Scott, executive director of Child Development Resources. “Kids’ Night Out is a great example of how a community can come together and support those families who have kids with special needs. The side benefit is that the families really know the kids are being taken good care of, with trusted professionals as volunteers.”
Continuing to Grow
Despite its name, One Child is not limited to children with autism. Within the next year, the organization will expand its Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy program. ABA is uniquely adapted to the person and teaches skills useful in everyday life.
“A lot of the services we provide can individually help children that have differences, so we have become an inclusive environment to help any child who could benefit from our services,” said Cullifer.
The Grant Process: 8 Steps
- Write your mission statement
- Determine your budget requirements
- Outline other non-grant financial sources you have
- Research other groups similar to yours to see which organizations support them
- Visit the website of the organizations from which you’re seeking grants
- Read the guidelines to see if your project fits the parameters for which they award grants
- Follow directions exactly, and don’t miss the application date
- If awarded a grant, be sure to follow through on necessary after-action requirements (i.e. final report)
Julie Cullifer · One Child Center for Autism · julie@onechildcenterforautism.org · 757-585-3216
Allison Brody · Williamsburg Health Foundation · abrody@williamsburghealthfoundation.org · 757-345-0912
Paul Scott · Child Development Resources · 757-566-3300