Council Connect Grant Program

The Council Connect initiative is a competitive grant program administered by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, a state-level body operating under federal authority to improve systems and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Council’s mandate stems from federal legislation focused on empowering communities, strengthening advocacy, and ensuring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families can fully participate in society. This specific funding opportunity reflects the Council’s broader mission to educate communities, enhance access to services, and promote inclusive practices statewide. The primary purpose of this grant is to fund a coordinated, statewide public awareness campaign that increases understanding of developmental disabilities and improves access to essential resources. The initiative emphasizes education, outreach, and engagement across Ohio, particularly targeting underserved populations that may lack awareness of available services and supports. Rather than promoting a single organization, the project is designed to elevate community voices, share lived experiences, and highlight the broader ecosystem of resources available to individuals and families. Funding supports a wide range of communication and outreach activities. These include the development of accessible and culturally responsive content across multiple platforms such as social media, newsletters, and digital media. The selected grantee will be responsible for producing educational materials, videos, and resource guides, as well as coordinating media engagement and building partnerships with community organizations. Allowable uses of funds are tied to communication strategy implementation, content creation, outreach expansion, and partnership development, all aligned with increasing awareness and participation in available programs. The grant requires a cost-sharing component, with federal funding supplemented by matching contributions. Applicants must provide a detailed budget justification that clearly distinguishes between federal and matching expenditures. All spending must comply with federal Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements under 2 CFR Part 200. The funding period spans one year, beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027, with continued funding contingent upon federal availability. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, as there are no restrictions on the type of entity that may apply. Applicants must, however, meet federal and state administrative requirements, including registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), possession of a Unique Entity Identifier, and obtaining a State of Ohio Supplier ID. Required application components include a detailed budget justification, three letters of recommendation, a project director resume, organizational documentation such as board member listings and nonprofit status (if applicable), and several compliance forms. The application process is conducted through the DD Suite platform and requires submission of all required documents by the stated deadline. Applications are evaluated through a competitive selection process based on the applicant’s ability to execute a statewide communication strategy, demonstrate cultural responsiveness, build partnerships, and effectively reach underserved communities. While specific evaluation scoring criteria are not detailed, emphasis is placed on outreach effectiveness, content quality, and alignment with Council priorities. The timeline for this grant includes an application deadline of July 10, 2026, with project implementation beginning October 1, 2026. The initiative is not described as recurring, and awards are made through a competitive process with final selection determining the grantee. The program is expected to generate both short-term outcomes, such as increased engagement and participation, and long-term impacts, including improved public understanding, sustainable outreach systems, and stronger community inclusion across Ohio.

Focus on demonstrating strong statewide outreach strategy, culturally responsive content, and partnerships with underserved communities while clearly justifying both federal and matching expenditures