Leadership in Action Grant

The Leadership in Action grant opportunity is offered by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, a state-level body authorized under federal law to improve independence, productivity, and community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council operates under federal funding guidelines and administers competitive grants aligned with its state plan priorities. This specific funding opportunity is rooted in statutory authority that supports coalition development, citizen participation, and leadership training for individuals with developmental disabilities, emphasizing self-advocacy and engagement in policymaking and governance structures. The primary purpose of this grant is to build leadership capacity among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families by equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to participate meaningfully in executive boards, including county boards of developmental disabilities. The initiative responds to policy changes in Ohio that increase representation of individuals with lived experience on such boards, creating a need for structured training in areas such as funding systems, legislative processes, budgeting, and leadership development. The program aims to enhance both individual competencies and systemic opportunities for participation. Funding under this opportunity supports projects that develop and implement curriculum, tools, and training programs focused on leadership and advocacy. Activities may include outreach, training delivery, technical assistance, research, and collaboration with community stakeholders. The Council emphasizes inclusion of people with disabilities in both the design and execution of project activities. Projects are also expected to consider accessibility, transportation, cultural diversity, and scalability, ensuring that the program can reach diverse populations across different geographic and demographic contexts. The grant provides federal funding of up to 50,000 dollars annually, with a required matching contribution of approximately 16,666 dollars, representing a standard cost-sharing requirement. Additional reduced match provisions may apply for projects serving designated poverty areas. Funding is contingent on federal availability and may continue across multiple years through continuation applications, subject to performance and compliance with reporting requirements. Funds must be used in accordance with federal cost principles and administrative regulations outlined in 2 CFR Part 200. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, with no restrictions on the type of entity that may apply. Applicants may include nonprofit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, or individuals applying through an organizational structure. However, applicants must meet federal requirements such as maintaining an active registration in SAM.gov, obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier, and securing a State of Ohio Supplier ID. These prerequisites must be satisfied prior to award issuance and maintained throughout the grant period. The application process requires submission through the DD Suite platform and includes multiple components such as a detailed budget justification, letters of recommendation, a project director resume, organizational documentation, and required federal and state forms. Applications must be written in clear language and align with specified performance measures and outcomes. Evaluation is conducted by a review panel based on criteria including project design, organizational capacity, outreach strategies, and alignment with Council goals. The application timeline for this funding cycle opens on May 1, 2026, with a submission deadline of July 10, 2026. The project period begins on October 1, 2026, and runs through September 30, 2027. Questions must be directed to designated Council staff prior to a specified cutoff date, after which a general contact line is provided. The program follows an annual cycle consistent with the federal fiscal year, and future funding rounds are expected to recur accordingly. Successful applicants will be required to submit periodic reports and may be subject to continuation application review for multi-year funding.

Ensure all required attachments are included as missing documents will disqualify the application; align proposal with state plan performance measures; use clear and accessible language; demonstrate inclusion of individuals with disabilities in project design and implementation