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Learning Disabilities Foundation of America Grant Application Guidelines

The Learning Disabilities Foundation of America supports the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), whose goal is to advance the education and general welfare of children and adults with learning disabilities.

Grant Applications

Applications for grants from the Learning Disabilities Foundation of America must be received in the Foundation office by March 1st for consideration at the April meeting, and September 15th for consideration at the November BOM meeting. Inquiries and applications should be sent in writing to:

Eligible Recipients

Funds will be awarded only to non-profit organizations and educational institutions which are exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) for programs within the United States and its possessions. Applications for Learning Disabilities Foundation of America grants from LDA committees must have a written letter of approval from LDA attached to the application.

Grant Philosophy

Applications must be for projects which conform to the mission of the Learning Disabilities Foundation of America by responding to an unmet need in the field of learning disabilities. Funds are granted for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes or for the identification, ongoing evaluation and education of and services for children and adults with learning disabilities. With the exception of LDA committed funds, grants will not be made for routine organizational operations or for endowment funds.

Examples of project areas that fall within this philosophy:

• Innovative research into the causes, the prevention and/or the alleviation of learning disabilities;
• Distinctive public awareness programs to advance public understanding of the needs of persons with learning disabilities;
• Innovative programs to advance the competence of persons with learning disabilities, and the support skills of their families, professional advisors, and employers.

Application Contents

1. Project Title
2. Brief description (one paragraph) of goals of the project
3. Detailed budget
   It is insufficient to indicate only the total amount of the request. This section should present a general picture of how funds would be spent. In budgets that include personnel costs, budget should indicate the proportion of time to be devoted to the project by specific personnel.
4. Budget justification
   Narrative explanation of the major budget categories and explanation of how projected amounts were calculated.
5. Description of the project, including the project timetable and progress reports.
6. Relevance of the proposed project to unmet needs in the field of learning disabilities as a whole.
7. Outline procedures to evaluate the project.
8. Qualifications of the primary facilitator of the project and institution, agency, or organization to untake and complete the proposed project.
9. Copy of 501 (c) ruling from the IRS
10. Letters of support from recognized professionals in the field who can evaluate the need, worthiness, and potential outcomes of the project.
11. FOR APPLICATIONS FROM LDA COMMITTEES ONLY
    A letter of approval from the LDA Executive Committee must be submitted with the grant application.

Recipient Obligations

Recipients of grants are expected to adhere closely to the stipulated terms of the grant and to the program described in the application. Full financial accounting of expenditures is required. Funds from a Learning Disabilities Foundation of America grant may not be directed to other purposes and unexpended funds must be returned to the Foundation.

Progress reports must be submitted in May and November.
A detailed written report outlining the results of the project and the use of the funds shall be sent to the Learning Disabilities Foundation of America within 3 months after the end of the project.

Other items and information

1. The Board of Managers of the Foundation may request an interview with the primary facilitator and/or site visit, in addition to the written grant application.
2. Projects of national impact are given preference.
3. All conditional grants in which the conditions have not been met by the end of the Foundation's fiscal year (March 31) shall expire at the end of the Foundation's fiscal year unless otherwise specified in the grant. All conditional grant recipients shall be advised of this policy provision.
4. A statement must be contained in any report or manuscript that the Learning Disabilities Foundation of America supported this project but the opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
5. The Foundation does not support overhead costs.

© 2005 - LDA of America