Hydro Grant Sample

The following is a sample proposal created for portfolio purposes only. It is not a real submission and does not reflect current funding guidelines or dates. This sample showcases my ability to write compelling, mission-aligned content for nonprofit grant applications.

Hydro One Energizing Life Community Fund Application

Proposal: Dungeons & Dragons Safe Play Program for Individuals with ASD1

Submitted by: The ASD1 Society of Columbia Street Silverton, Oregon

Submission Date: 05/23/2014

1. Introduction: Who We Are and Who We Serve

Who We Are

The ASD Society of Columbia Street (ASDSCSS) is one of only two registered nonprofits in Silverton that supports individuals with autism spectrum disorder level 1 (ASD1). Our mission is to make our Toronto communities safer and more inclusive for individuals with ASD1 by providing services, programs, and resources that protect and improve the quality of life of people with ASD1, their families, and caregivers.

Everything we do is centered in the belief that all people, regardless of neurodivergence, age, gender, cultural heritage, disability, or financial circumstance, deserve access to safe, affirming, and empowering experiences and spaces. We work hard to meet people where they are at and create spaces where neurodivergent voices are heard, celebrated, and honored.

Who We Serve

Last year alone, we supported over 700 families in the Toronto area, all of whom are navigating life as, or with, autistic individuals with Level 1 support needs. Many of these families and individuals we serve face significant barriers to care and support, including those who are racialized, minority immigrants, and low-income families. Because of these barriers, we have made it our mission to provide resources that are accessible through both our helpline and walk-in services in multiple languages and access to professional translators. Our team includes three dedicated bilingual community advocates who provide neurodivergent and trauma-informed care to families as they navigate complex systems together.  We help individuals and families navigate the complexities of requesting and attending IEP meetings, registering with Disability services at colleges and universities, and negotiating with workplaces to advocate for accommodations. We also help families and individuals apply for government services. In addition to direct services, we work with local schools, support organizations, and healthcare providers to provide ongoing training. Our focus on training accomplishes two things: it allows us to support individuals directly while also changing systems. This means we are working to remove barriers while dispelling ignorance and shifting narratives around autism, specifically ASD1.

We not only support the ASD1 community; we are the community. Eliza Thompson founded ASDSCS after she discovered that she had ASD1, and was later diagnosed during her mid-forties. Eliza realized her ASD1 diagnosis highlighted a lifelong struggle to fit into a world that was based around the needs of neurotypical people.

Throughout her journey to seek care, Eliza realized that she was not alone. As she navigated educational and governmental systems, she met other autistic individuals and their families who faced the same barriers to care and support as she did. Eliza saw there was a real, tangible need to create an organization that would not only provide support but also change the systems, or lack thereof, around what it means to have ASD1.

From the beginning, Eliza sought out team members who either had ASD1 or had family members, friends, loved ones who did. These first-hand experiences enable us to be better at empathizing and understanding the problems those who have ASD1 and support their caregivers. Our personal experiences inform every aspect of the work we do, and underscores why visibility and support for the ASD1 community are so urgently needed.

While Eliza’s story is unique, it points to the realities that neurodivergent individuals face in their lives: there is a huge lack of awareness of what ASD 1 is. People with ASD1 struggle to know what community and governmental resources are available. And ASD1 individuals often suffer from depression, social isolation, and anxiety at higher rates than neurotypical individuals.

2. The Problem: Social Isolation and Its Toll on ASD1 Individuals

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada's 2018 National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System (NASS), approximately 1 in 66 children in Canada has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and those with level one don't present as autistic because of their  ability to mask or hide their differences (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2018).

Individuals with ASD1 often appear neurotypical because they’ve learned how to “mask". This means they have learned how to hide their autistic traits in order to fit in and appear neurotypical. Masking takes a lot of energy; it can feel isolating and leave one feeling constantly wiped out.

Society isn’t inclusive of neurodivergent minds. Everything from social events, to school environments, to public spaces can be overwhelming and even painful for people with ASD1 because they can and do experience sensory overload from things like bright lights, music playing in the background, or sensations from uncomfortable clothing. Imagine trying to hold a conversation while noticing every flicker of the lights, the scratch of a clothing tag, the cacophony of overlapping voices all while someone is having a direct conversation with you. You are expected to focus and maintain eye contact. All of this occurs with no way to tune any of it out. That’s a reality many ASD1 individuals live with every day.

"Sensory processing difficulties are one of the most common and debilitating aspects of autism. A study published in Autism Research found that over 90% of children with ASD experience sensory sensitivities, and many report being overwhelmed by sights, sounds, and textures in everyday environments." (Autism Research, 2016)

People with ASD1 are often inadvertently excluded from social events which are not designed with their sensory and emotional needs in mind. This serious lack of safe and inclusive environments leaves those with ASD1 feeling disconnected, misunderstood, and anxious.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, nearly 1 in 3 children with autism experience significant amounts of anxiety that is compounded by a serious lack of appropriate support systems. A systematic review and meta-analysis reported that approximately 33% of children and adolescents with autism experience anxiety symptoms, with diagnostic interviews indicating a prevalence of 19%. (​SpringerLink) While specific Canadian data is limited, studies suggest that youth with ASD have higher rates of depression compared to their neurotypical peers.​

The Canadian Paediatric Society notes that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders affecting children and adolescents in Canada, with self-reported rates ranging from 11% to 19% among adolescents.(Canadian Paediatric Society) Statistics Canada reported that 6.5% of Canadian youth aged 15 to 24 met the criteria for major depression in the past year. ​

Without spaces that are truly inclusive, ASD1 individuals are left without meaningful ways to connect or cope with the added demands and expectations of a neurotypical society. And connection is everything—it’s how we build self-confidence, strengthen communication skills, and feel like we belong. That's why ASDSCS exists: to make sure every ASD 1 individual has access to safe, inclusive spaces.

Our Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Safe Play Program is designed to provide a safe space for connection and foster a sense of community and belonging. By launching a D&D Safe Play Program, we can create an environment where social interaction feels supportive and safe, while empowering participants to unmask and feel included in ways that honor their sensory needs.