Family Fund

There are effective therapies, equipment, and learning opportunities not covered by insurance and out of reach financially for many families. The Family Fund was created in 2017 to help fill gaps in providing quality of life enrichment needs for youth under the age of 21. To date, the Family Fund has granted out over $90,000 to local families.

To check out the impact from the last grant cycle of the Family Fund, click here.

Application Timeline

The Family Fund is administered annually in the spring.

Applications are now closed.

The Arc will make all award decisions by March 30, 2022. You will be notified via email of the acceptance or denial of your request. Grant payments can be delivered by mail or direct deposit. All payments will be initiated by April 5, 2022.

Eligibility & Requirements

By accepting the Family Fund grant, you agree to allow The Arc Central Chesapeake Region to use your story and likeness in future marketing and promotional materials. Click here to see the full terms of the release policy.

To be eligible you must:

Have a child with a disability, under the age of 21
Reside in the state of Maryland and live in one of the counties supported by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (Anne Arundel, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties)
Complete and submit the online application

Preference will be given to applicants that:

Do not receive funding from the Developmental Disabilities Administration or Autism Waiver
Are a current member of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (to become a member, click here)
Have not received a grant from the Family Fund previously

Application

Please note: You must complete the entire application to be considered. All applications must be submitted online. Incomplete applications will not be considered for an award.

If you cannot submit the application online and need an accommodation, please reach out to us at resources@thearcccr.org.

FAQs

Does my child have to have a disability?

The Arc accepts applicants who have been diagnosed with an intellectual and/or developmental disability. The list below is a reference and is by no means exhaustive. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact resources@thearcccr.org.

Intellectual Disabilities
Hearing Impairment
Deafness
Speech or Language Impairment
Visual Impairment Including Blindness
Emotional Disturbance
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairment
Specific Learning Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Deaf-Blindness
Traumatic Brain Injury
Autism Developmental Delay
ADD
ADHD

Can I apply for camp funding?

Yes, you may apply to cover camp fees. The Arc prioritizes camp requests that have additional funding sources and does not tend to cover the total cost of camp.

How much can I ask for?

You can ask for a grant in any amount. But please keep in mind, the Family Fund typically does not fully fund requests above $2,000. If your request is more than $1,000 – we reserve the right to request documentation to support your request (ie: invoice, etc).

Can I apply for more than one of my kids?

Yes. You may apply for each child you have with a disability. Please submit one application per child.

Does the Family Fund award crisis funding?

The Family Fund does not cover emergency requests. No applications for emergency or crisis funding will be considered. If you require emergency funding, please contact resources@thearcccr.org and we will connect you with appropriate resources.

If I receive funding from DDA or the Autism Waiver, can I still receive a Family Fund grant?

Yes. You are still eligible to receive a grant. However, please note that preference for awards will go to families who do not receive state funding.

Can I mail in the application?

The Arc requests that all applications be submitted online. If you need special accommodations to fill out the application, please email resources@thearcccr.org.

Do I have to share my story if I receive a grant?

Yes. By accepting a grant from the Family Fund, you are agreeing to allow The Arc to use your story and likeness for future marketing purposes of the grant.

How detailed should my application be?

Applications are more likely to be fully funded if they are thorough and clearly explain the impact the grant will have on you/your family/your child. We encourage you to provide links or additional information as it supports your request.