Congratulations to Our Latest FDD Program Grant Recipients: Advancing Inclusion & Innovation
- jweber70
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
Funding the Future: $75,560 Awarded to Local Nonprofits Empowering Individuals with IDDs
At the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities (FDD), we know that meaningful progress happens at the intersection of innovation, compassion, and community partnership. That’s why each fiscal year, our Program Grant Committee and Board approve investments in local nonprofit organizations that are transforming the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) across San Diego and Imperial Counties.
This grant cycle, we’re proud to award $75,560 in funding to seven outstanding organizations whose programs embody creativity, inclusion, empowerment, and equity. From arts enrichment and adaptive sports to bilingual family support and neurodiversity-informed care, our newest Program Grantees are pushing boundaries and designing real-world solutions that meet the diverse needs of the IDD community.
These partnerships are about more than dollars—they’re about impact. Each funded project brings fresh, community-driven approaches to the forefront, ensuring individuals with IDDs and their families can access the tools, opportunities, and environments they need to thrive.
Able ARTS Work
FDD Funding: $6,000
FDD is supporting Able ARTS Work’s After-Hours Enrichment Program, offering 10-week workshops in visual arts, choir, and theater. These inclusive creative spaces encourage self-expression, confidence, and connection through the arts.
AccessPoint360 (Initiative through the Raizes organization)
FDD Funding: $12,070
Raízes is a nonprofit organization committed to uplifting underserved communities through culturally responsive programs, services, and advocacy. With support from the Foundation, Raízes will develop and launch Access360—a bilingual, accessible digital resource hub designed to support families in Imperial County. In addition to the online platform, Raízes will host community workshops to help families better understand and navigate available services. This project addresses a critical information gap in rural, underserved communities, empowering families with the tools they need to access support and thrive.
Comic-Con Museum
FDD Funding: $2,750
FDD is helping make pop culture more inclusive. Comic-Con Museum will enhance its low-sensory/parent room with calming paint, tactile furnishings, lighting, and sensory tools, creating a more welcoming space for visitors with sensory sensitivities.
Casa Di Amici
FDD Funding: $5,600
With FDD’s support, Casa Di Amici will host monthly social meetups for individuals with IDDs. These gatherings provide a safe and supportive environment for forming friendships, engaging in social activities, and cultivating a sense of belonging.
Educational Enrichment Systems (EES)
FDD Funding: $19,800
FDD is partnering with EES for the purchase of adaptive educational tools, including sensory kits, calming items, and fine-motor materials such as adaptive scissors, for early childhood classrooms, helping learners of all abilities thrive in inclusive educational settings.
South Bay Community Services
FDD Funding: $10,000
To better serve youth and families, South Bay Community Services will provide neurodiversity-informed care training to its staff through Let’s Wonder Psychotherapy, ensuring care is compassionate, trauma-informed, and responsive to the needs of the IDD community.
Toby Wells YMCA
FDD Funding: $19,340
FDD is proud to fund the Adaptive Gymnastics Program at Toby Wells YMCA, offered at no cost to participants with IDDs. This program promotes physical activity, self-confidence, and social connection in an inclusive and engaging environment.
Our Commitment to Lasting Impact
At FDD, we believe that building inclusive communities requires more than financial support; it necessitates bold partnerships, a shared vision, and a long-term commitment to equity and access. Each of our 2025 Program Grantees represents this mission in action. Their work ensures that every person in our community, with an intellectual or developmental disability, can live fully and freely.
Join Us
Your support powers these partnerships. When you give to FDD, you're investing in programs that offer hope, connection, and life-changing opportunities to thousands of individuals and families.
Please donate today to help us continue investing in innovation and inclusion.
Thank you for standing with us—and with the IDD community—as we work together to shape a more equitable
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