Funding Assistance

We recognize that there are many financial challenges related to caring for a child or adult with special needs. In an effort to help with those challenges, below you will find resources that could assist with your purchase of sensory products. We encourage you to visit the various websites and read all the information provided by these organizations. Please note that these links and resources are provided for your convenience and are strictly for informational purposes. We do not endorse or recommend any of these organizations, we do not have any specific affiliation with any of these organizations, and we cannot and do not guarantee any award of funds.

Funding sources for schools, preschools and child-care centers

DonorsChoose - Teachers at U.S. public and public charter schools can post a classroom project and have it funded by donors. Many teachers use it for furniture, sensory and STEM materials.

IDEA Part B, Section 619 Preschool Grants - Federal formula funds that states pass to school districts for special education services for children ages 3–5, including equipment and materials. Ask your district's special education office how these funds are allocated.

Title I, Part A - Federal funds for schools serving a high percentage of low-income students. Title I schools can often use these funds for classroom materials that support instruction.

Head Start - Head Start and Early Head Start programs receive federal funding for classroom equipment and learning environments. The site includes program guidance and a locator for local programs.

Funding sources for families and individuals

Who Pays For What Nationally - This document provided by the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix (https://phxautism.org/ ) provides a broad overview of insurance and special programs available within the United States. Specifically of interest for purposes of purchasing sensory toys, this document discusses various entities that pay for supportive services or equipment. Sensory equipment is listed under "Therapy Equipment." Who Pays For What Downloadable PDF.

Kids' Waivers - This list contains all of the Medicaid waivers and other programs, regardless of type, available for children in the United States. The list can display up to 100 programs and can be sorted by state, program type, ages served, level of care, population served, and income waiver. Click on the state name to access detailed information about that state and its programs. Kids' Waivers, Full List HERE.

ACT Today! Autism Care Today is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness and provide treatment services and support to families. ACT Today seeks to facilitate early and on-going treatment by providing the necessary resources (including referrals, funding and guidance) to individuals with autism and their families. Often, a child with autism must go without vital interventions due to financial restraints. ACT Today! strives to provide necessary services so that each child with autism can reach his or her highest potential. For more information, please visit https://www.act-today.org/.

Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. For more information, https://www.autismspeaks.org/.

Administration for Children and Families ACF awards more than 1,000 federal grants for special needs children. For more information, please visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/

Division of Specialized Care for Children offers care coordination and cost-supported diagnosis and treatment for children with chronic health impairments determined eligible for program support. For more information, please visit https://dscc.uic.edu/.

The Dream Factory is the only children’s wish-granting organization that does not limit its mission to children who have life-threatening illness. The organization believes children with chronic illnesses and disorders also suffer from substantial emotional and physical pain. For more information, please visit http://dreamfactoryinc.org/.

Easter Seals provides exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities. Easter Seals offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life's challenges and achieve personal goals. For more information please visit http://www.easterseals.com/.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America is a fraternal order with nearly a million members and a 141-year history, a network of more than 2000 lodges in communities all over the country, a generous charitable foundation that each year gives millions in scholarships, and more. The Elks have numerous benevolent programs. For more information, please visit https://www.elks.org/.

Oracle Health Foundation (formerly Cerner Charitable Foundation) is a nonprofit that helps children with health-related needs, including therapies and equipment, when insurance and other financial resources have been exhausted. For more information, please visit https://www.oraclehealthfoundation.org/.

Candid Foundation Directory (formerly Foundation Directory Online) is a great resource to search for the foundations most likely to give you grants and manage your prospects through to funding. For more information, please visit https://candid.org/find-funding/.

Fund It Forward is a volunteer run non-profit organization organized to assist parents of children with special needs. Fund It Forward recognizes the struggles these families face and is committed to providing assistance when possible. FIF helps them obtain expensive medical and adaptive equipment such as augmentative communication devices, bathing and feeding chairs, enclosed beds or sensory equipment. For more information please go to https://www.funditfwd.org/.

Friends of Man is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides grants for therapy, equipment and other needs. A referring professional (caseworker, case manager, healthcare worker, social worker, etc.) must apply on your behalf. For more information, please visit http://www.friendsofman.org/.

Jack's Place helps families with children affected by autism afford the support they need for a variety of programs. For more information, please visit https://www.jacksplaceforautism.org/.

Kids Wish Network started out with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering with life-threatening conditions and has since created numerous programs benefiting kids with various difficult circumstances nationwide. For more, https://www.kidswishnetwork.org/.

Kiwanis International was founded in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan. Kiwanis helps kids around the world. Local clubs look out for our communities and the international organization takes on large-scale challenges, Kiwanis has a demonstrated passion about making a difference in the lives of children. For more information, please visit https://www.kiwanis.org/.

The Knights of Columbus organization was formed in 1882 to render financial aid to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. For more information, please visit https://www.kofc.org/en/.

Reagan's Journey is an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with special needs in order to help them reach their full potential. For more information, please visit http://www.reagansjourney.org/.

Children's Health Foundation of San Diego and Imperial Counties (formerly Rest Haven Children's Help Fund) is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to addressing the health needs of children. Its mission is to provide funds for health related services for children in San Diego and Imperial counties when no other funds are available. Funds are also provided to assist health care development and to purchase needed services. For more information, please visit https://chfsd.org/.

Scott Rose Foundation provides support only to disabled, disadvantaged young residents of southeastern KY. To contact this foundation, please call (606) 862-4221.

SKIP of New York provides support for chronically ill and developmentally disabled children. Each child is partnered with a service coordinator and a supervisor. Service coordinators are involved with educational systems, medical emergencies, appeals processes, anything and everything that touches a family’s life. For more information, please visit http://skipofny.org/.

U.S. Department of Education and Department of Special Education offer OSEP Grant Opportunities and Funding. Information on grant opportunities and funding from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). For more information, please visit https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/osers/osep/office-of-special-education-programs-grant-opportunities-and-funding.

Variety Club has been helping children in need since 1927. For more information, please visit https://usvariety.org/.

The Wegman Family Charitable Foundation (formerly Robert B. Wegman Charitable Foundation), is dedicated to providing support, services and assistance for children and families in need. For more information, please visit https://www.wegmans.com/values-in-action/community-giving.

WHAS Crusade for Children, established in 1954 by WHAS-TV, raises money for agencies, schools and hospitals to make life better for children with special needs. For more information, please visit https://whascrusade.org/

Wheel to Walk Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children age 21 and younger with special needs, and is focused on children who experience difficulty obtaining funding from their insurance companies. If you need financial assistance with anything from leg braces, bath chairs, gait trainers to therapy tricycles and wheelchairs, please visit http://www.wheeltowalk.com/.

Zane’s Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to providing financial support to families of special needs children through funds designated for respite care, therapies, or other assistive equipment. Zane’s Foundation will help families attain some of those unique things that the special needs child should have to allow for a more productive life. For more, please visit https://zanesinc.org/mission/.