The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation, Inc. (ELA)

About Grants

The ELA Foundation has a vision of  “Changing the Face of Disability on the Planet”.  We accomplish this through our grant and scholarship programs.

The ELA Foundation grants funds for established programs in the areas of arts and advocacy to nonprofit US 501(c)(3) organizations, which are led by or support adults with disabilities who are 22 or older.

We encourage distinctive, cutting edge programs that impact the lives of people with disabilities by changing the face of disability in a community.

Program grants from the ELA Foundation range from $1,000 to $5,000 and must demonstrate support by other foundations, corporations and individuals in the local community. Funds that are granted from the ELA Foundation must be spent on the purpose for which the grant was written.

Program Grant Requirements:

In the Arts
The ELA Foundation supports programs that support professional artists with disabilities or encourage a professional environment while enhancing creativity among people with disabilities who are not professional artists themselves.

In Advocacy
The ELA Foundation supports programs that promote change in legislation, or provide education that will enhance knowledge and action to create laws and policies that will result in better lives for people with disabilities.

The ELA Foundation will not fund:
Art therapy programs
Camps, Outdoor Adventures and Recreational programs
Children and youth programs
Employment programs
Housing programs
Political campaigns
Religious programs
Service animal training
Staff and volunteer training

Funding Requirements

The ELA Foundation funds program grants only.  A program grant serves a specific number of people in a set amount of time with measurable goals.  We will not fund pieces of a grant request nor will we fund a grant request that does not have local support.  In the full application packet, a complete program budget with income and expenses is required, as well as a funding plan and funding sources in order for a grant to be considered for funding.

The ELA Foundation will not fund:
Building and equipment funds
Capital campaigns
Endowment funds
Fundraising activities
General support

For a Grant to Be Considered:

The program must be approved a month before the deadline via the online grant application form under "How to Apply" button.

The grant request must be for a program in the area of arts or advocacy and must serve adults with disabilities.

The organization must be tax exempt under US IRS Code 501(c)(3) and have been in existence for two years or longer.

Support from other funding sources in the community for this program must be demonstrated in the grant application.

The organization must demonstrate that it is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and use appropriate "People First" language.

The organization must demonstrate that it has a plan to assist people with disabilities in case of emergencies.

All of the information requested in the checklist must be included in the completed hard copy grant application packet.

The grant application must be received by mail, Federal Express or UPS in the foundation offices on or before the posted deadline date.

ELA Grant Tips:

Read the entire grants section on the ELA website thoroughly, including frequently asked questions and the former grantees section.

Follow the directions and checklist from the "How to Apply" section completely.

Communicate with the staff of the ELA Foundation directly if you have questions that are not answered on the ELA website.