Investing in Opportunity: FDD Awards Nearly $92,000 in Program Grants to Advance Inclusion Across San Diego and Imperial Counties.

jweber70
Jul 28
4 min read

For 40 years, the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities (FDD) has invested in programs that help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) lead fuller, more connected lives. Through strategic grantmaking, FDD partners with organizations that remove barriers, expand access, and create communities where everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive.

This summer, FDD is proud to award nearly $92,000 in Program Grant funding to ten organizations whose innovative projects will strengthen opportunities for individuals with I/DD and their families throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. These grants support initiatives that promote inclusion, education, communication, health, independence, recreation, and community connection.

Expanding Access to Learning and Communication

Education and communication are critical pathways to opportunity, independence, and self-expression.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum received $8,500 to expand its Mission Control InReach for Special Education Students program. The initiative brings adapted STEM experiences directly into self-contained special education classrooms in schools, engaging students through hands-on robotics, engineering, astronomy, and rocketry activities designed to meet diverse sensory, communication, and learning needs.

At United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County, a $10,000 grant will support AACcess for All. This program expands access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, individualized support, and training. By helping individuals with complex communication needs communicate more effectively, the program promotes greater independence, stronger relationships, and more active participation in daily life.

FDD also awarded $5,100 to Vista Hill's Stein Education Center to enhance specialized educational and therapeutic services for students with complex developmental, behavioral, and emotional needs. The funding will help students develop skills, build confidence, and pursue academic and personal success.

Supporting Independence and Self-Determination

A key priority for FDD is ensuring individuals with I/DD have access to the tools and resources they need to make informed choices about their own lives.

With a $13,800 grant, TideSpeak will launch an Independent Facilitation Certification Program to prepare new facilitators to support participants in California's Self-Determination Program. Through a combination of online instruction, workshops, case studies, and practical experience, the initiative will expand the pool of trained facilitators available to local families while strengthening participant-centered services throughout the region.

Improving Health and Well-Being

Accessible and inclusive healthcare environments can have a profound impact on health outcomes and quality of life.

FDD awarded $15,000 to North County Health Services (TrueCare) for its Comfort in Care: Sensory Support for Health Access initiative. The project will create sensory-friendly environments across seven North County health centers by enhancing waiting rooms, exam rooms, dental clinics, mobile dental units, and Child Development Specialist offices with sensory-adapted furnishings and equipment. These improvements will help reduce anxiety, improve patient experiences, and remove barriers to care for individuals with developmental disabilities and young children with sensory sensitivities.

Strengthening Families Through Community Support

Strong communities are built when families have access to both essential resources and enriching opportunities.

FDD awarded $10,000 to Challenged Sailors San Diego to expand adaptive sailing opportunities. Funding will support American Sign Language interpretation services, participant scholarships, technology upgrades, and maintenance of adaptive equipment. These enhancements will allow more individuals with disabilities to experience the confidence, independence, and joy that sailing can provide.

The Westmorland Community Food Pantry received $10,000 to continue addressing food insecurity among families throughout Imperial County, helping ensure reliable access to nutritious food for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

Creating Communities of Belonging

Meaningful inclusion begins with a sense of belonging.

FDD awarded $500 to Dancing Around the Oak Tree Art Studio to support adaptive art experiences that encourage creative expression, build confidence, and foster social engagement for artists of all abilities.

Mountain Shadows Support Group, which has served individuals with intellectual disabilities for more than five decades, received $10,000 to support their Together We Thrive initiative. Through quarterly community celebrations and social gatherings, the program helps reduce isolation while promoting friendship, recreation, and connection for participants and their families.

FDD is proud to support Circle of Friends Club at Imperial High School with a $9,000 grant for the 2026-2027 academic year. This inclusive student organization brings general education students and students with disabilities together to build real friendships and break down social barriers. The funding will help expand the club's reach across grades 9 through 12 with sustainable social opportunities throughout the year. Funds will go toward adaptive equipment for inclusive games, specialized training for student mentors supporting peers with disabilities in ESN, SC, and RSP settings, and transportation and entry fees for community outings where students can practice social skills in real-world settings, all guided by trained staff who support student-led mentorship, growing independence, stronger social-emotional skills, and a more inclusive, empathetic school community.

Investing in Lasting Impact

Each Program Grant awarded represents more than financial support. It reflects FDD's commitment to partnering with organizations that are creating meaningful, lasting change. Collectively, these ten initiatives will increase access to education, healthcare, communication tools, recreation, food security, and opportunities for social connection throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties.

As FDD celebrates four decades of service, the Foundation remains dedicated to investing in innovative programs that strengthen communities and expand opportunities for individuals with I/DD. Since 1986, FDD has awarded more than $2.7 million in nonprofit Program Grants and provided more than $2 million through its Emergency Help Fund, helping thousands of individuals and families access the resources they need to thrive.

FDD congratulates this July 2026 Program Grant cohort and looks forward to the impact these programs will have on individuals, families, and communities in the years ahead.

If you found this blog helpful and would like to support our work, donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Your support helps us continue to develop innovative programming and create valuable resources for our community.