Strengthening Advocacy in Ohio Grant

The Strengthening Advocacy in Ohio funding opportunity is administered by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, a state-level entity dedicated to improving independence, inclusion, and community participation for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council operates under federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act requirements, which mandate support for self-advocacy, leadership development, and systems change. This funding opportunity aligns with those mandates by investing in projects that build leadership capacity and strengthen advocacy organizations led by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The primary purpose of this grant is to support initiatives that empower individuals with developmental disabilities to become leaders and advocates within their communities. Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to strengthen a state advocacy organization led by individuals with I/DD, provide opportunities for peer-led training, and expand participation in cross-disability and culturally diverse leadership efforts. The program emphasizes activities such as outreach, training, research, technical assistance, and collaboration with communities and policymakers to create systemic change and improve advocacy outcomes. Funding is provided on a competitive basis, with individual project awards ranging from 10000 to 50000 dollars annually. Although the overall notice lists a larger total award amount, proposals requesting more than 50000 dollars per year will not be considered. Projects may be funded for multiple years, typically structured as five-year initiatives, contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. Awardees must also provide matching funds, which may include both cash and in-kind contributions, and comply with federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200 governing allowable costs and financial management. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, as there are no restrictions on the type of entity that may apply. This includes nonprofits, for-profit organizations, public agencies, educational institutions, and other entities capable of carrying out the proposed work. However, applicants must meet federal and state administrative requirements, including maintaining an active registration in SAM.gov, obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier, and securing a State of Ohio Supplier ID. Applications must also demonstrate alignment with at least one of the three required focus areas of the Developmental Disabilities Act; proposals that fail to do so will not be considered. The application process is conducted through the DD Suite online system and requires submission of a comprehensive proposal that includes a detailed budget and budget justification, three letters of recommendation, a resume for the project director, and organizational documentation such as board member listings and proof of nonprofit status where applicable. Additional required forms include assurances, disclosure statements, and federal transparency certifications. Applications must be written in clear, accessible language and include a work plan with defined objectives, activities, and performance measures aligned with Council expectations. Applications are due by July 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM, with the funding period scheduled to begin October 1, 2026 and end September 30, 2027 for the initial year. Questions are directed to designated Council staff prior to a specified cutoff date. Following submission, applications undergo a competitive review process conducted by a panel that evaluates proposals based on criteria such as organizational qualifications, project design, outreach to underserved populations, inclusion of individuals with disabilities, and budget appropriateness. Successful projects are expected to achieve measurable outcomes related to increased advocacy skills, leadership participation, and satisfaction among individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Outputs include participation targets, improvements in self-advocacy, and increased representation in leadership roles. Continued funding across multiple years is contingent on performance, reporting compliance, and alignment with Council priorities, ensuring that funded projects contribute to long-term systems change and empowerment of the disability community in Ohio.

Ensure proposal clearly aligns with at least one DD Act priority area; use clear accessible language; provide detailed budget justification; demonstrate measurable outcomes and leadership impact