We get federal funds to act as an agent for change. We use funds to advocate for people with developmental disabilities and their families. We do this, in part, by giving grants to organizations. These include nonprofits, for-profits, local and state agencies and education groups. We do not give grants to individuals.


Grant projects match our state plan goals and assessment recommendations.

What Types of Projects Does the VBPD Fund?

We fund projects that bring change to policies, programs and systems. Projects should be effective and meet specific needs. They should be able to continue without constant funding. The aim is to change or grow existing community programs in a positive way.

We may also fund projects about: outreach; training; technical assistance; community support and education; collaboration and coordination; getting rid of barriers; systems design; development of citizen groups or informing policymakers.

Self-Advocate Scholarship Funding

To help reach the goals outlined in the State Plan, the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities can give money to organizations. This money comes in the form of scholarships and is meant to help people with developmental disabilities (DD) attend conferences or events. Organizations should read the procedures document to see if they qualify and understand the rules for getting funds. On the Application for Self-Advocate Scholarship Fundingorganizations need to show how the event or conference will help achieve at least one of the objectives in the State Plan.  

Current RFPs

There are no open Requests for Proposal (RFPs) at this time. Please check back soon.

Grantee Highlights

Development of a Database Management System to Manage the Storage, Retrieval and Reporting of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation DatadisAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV)Project Dates: 5/14/2021 – 9/30/2021

The disability Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) worked with many groups for this project. One group was made up of people with developmental disabilities (DD), their family members, staff and others. dLCV made a database on health and safety cases. They looked at the data and found ways to protect people with DD.

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Support Service Provider (SSP) Pilot ProgramVirginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of HearingProject Dates: 1/1/2023 – 6/30/2025

The pilot program aims to provide training about Support Service Providers (SSPs). An SSP is a person who acts as a deafblind person’s eyes and ears. An SSP empowers a deafblind person with the info they need to make their own choices. Through the program, providers will learn how to perform SSP duties. Deafblind people will learn how to work with SSPs. The program will then help to assign SSPs to people who are deafblind.

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Building Inclusive School Communities through Culture Shift, Collaboration, and Coaching (3 Cs Inclusion Project)Radford UniversityProject Dates: 10/1/2018 – 9/30/2021

Radford University worked with schools and parents in Waynesboro City and Pulaski County. They helped the schools and parents to fight for more inclusion. They formed teams and held workshops. Schools that are inclusive support the minds, emotions and health of students with disabilities.

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Ability First is a fitness and wellness program. They help people with developmental disabilities (DD) who live in rural areas. The program helps people to live healthy.

With funding from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, Ability First can connect people with disabilities to opportunities within their communities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. I believe that we can create more inclusive communities where everyone — regardless of ability, race or gender — are looked at equally.

– Dr. Thomas E Moran, Executive Director of Empowerment3 and JMU Kinesiology Professor
Grants are one way that VBPD makes change happen for people with disabilities.

Grant Resources

Grantee Tip Sheets:

Applicants must register through the DD Suite system. There, please submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) and/or Proposal Application. At DD Suite, you can download the current RFP, proposal forms and other documents.

For More Information

Jason Withers
Grants & Contracts Administrator
(804) 786-9375
Jason.Withers@vbpd.virginia.gov

Grants Manual