Introducing the DOF Training Institute 

Over the years, we've worked with deaf organizations and program leaders across the country and have seen a wide range of unmet needs and countless nonprofit challenges. There’s one area of need that keeps coming up: a need for accessible training for leaders to support their long-term organizational growth. 

Organizations are navigating complex and ever-changing landscapes of policy, funding, and more. Uncertain times call for more support and greater resources. 

And this isn't just about one-time workshops. It's about ongoing access to training and opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen the work already happening. This brings us to the next exciting part. 

A New Resource for Deaf Organizations 

We're launching the Training Institute, an online library of training sessions covering various nonprofit topics.  It's simple, accessible, and designed around practical tools and information that directly support the work of deaf organizations and programs. The sessions will be facilitated primarily by ASL-fluent nonprofit experts with voice interpreting, captions, and transcripts provided.  

These sessions, offered for free, will grow into a larger library of content that organizations can return to whenever they need it. We’re starting with a Fundraising and Grantwriting track and over time, we will add other critical nonprofit topics, such as Strategic Planning and Impact, Nonprofit Finance, and so on. This is just the beginning. 

Built for the Long Term 

The Training Institute is a long-term investment in deaf organizations and the people leading them. Because we know that when leaders at the helm of the organization are equipped with knowledge and resources, they can lead stronger organizations, which in turn make for stronger communities. 

Join Us 

We're excited to begin this next chapter with you. None of this would have been possible without The Glenn and Martha Wilson Fund, whose generous support helped make this institute a reality.  

Join us for our first training session, Basics of Donor Development, with Marilyn J. Smith on May 21st by clicking on the button below:

REGISTER NOW

We're Doubling Our Grants. Here's Why.

Over six grant cycles, we had the honor of distributing nearly $500,000 to 32 grant projects overseen by deaf organizations and programs.   

What incredible achievements these grant projects were -- more than we ever dreamed. None of this work was possible without a community that keeps showing up for each other. But times have changed, and not in favor of deaf organizations. 

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher 

Deaf organizations and programs are facing serious challenges right now, including threats to their tax-exempt status, federal funding cuts, and ramped up competition for every other type of grant available. These are real threats that prevent access, progress, and the wellbeing of our deaf communities. 

Amidst these challenging times, here's the number that keeps showing up: only 1% of the $37.2 billion in grants awarded annually goes toward disability justice organizations. These grants are part of how nonprofits fund their work. Without them, programs disappear and lifechanging services stop. And out of that already tiny pool of dollars, deaf organizations are getting almost none of it. 

They are getting less than 1%. That is not enough. 

What We Found Out 

We wanted to get a pulse on what our deaf organizations and programs across the country were truly experiencing. So, we polled deaf organization leaders who attended our webinars last year: 

The programs and services of deaf nonprofits are the backbone of our deaf communities. They show up where larger systems fall short, bringing meaningful support to people who need it most. This financial pressure on organizations working with deaf communities cannot continue unchecked. 

Our Response: Double Down 

DOF is the only funder in the country that exists specifically to support deaf nonprofits and programs. And this year, we're doubling down. 

In past years, we awarded an average of $100,000 annually among 4 to 6 organizations. This year, with the support of our donors, we raised twice that amount. Every dollar is going directly to deaf organizations and programs.  

This is the exciting part we've been waiting to share. The 2026 Impact Grant for Deaf Organizations is here. Ten deaf organizations and programs will each receive $20,000. Recipients can use the grant award however best serves their mission and community, but priority will be given to proposals that address the urgent, time-sensitive needs of their community and/or the long-term, sustainability needs of the organization. 

Who Can Apply 

The 2026 Impact Grant is open to tax-exempt organizations and programs based in the U.S that primarily serve deaf communities. We define deaf communities as including people who identify as Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing. 

The application process is accessible in both English and American Sign Language (ASL). Applicants can preview all the application questions in these languages before applying.  

A Note of Gratitude 

We don't take any of this for granted. This work is only possible because of you: our community of organizations, donors, our parent organization Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), and our grantees that we have funded along the way. Thank you. 

Organizations working with deaf communities deserve more. Let's keep going. 

To learn more and access the application, visit deaforganizationsfund.org/application.

Why Deaf Organizations Matter

As the CEO of Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. (CSD), one of the largest deaf nonprofits that just celebrated 50 years of service, I aim to ensure that other deaf organizations reach and surpass the same milestone. In alignment with this vision, the CSD Board of Directors and I established Deaf Organizations Fund (DOF) in 2021 to fund and resource deaf nonprofits across the United States (US). 

The Gallaudet Research Institute estimates up to 1.5 million deaf people in the US use American Sign Language as their primary way to communicate. Based on the best available data, there are about 319 nonprofit organizations in the country with missions focused on deaf communities. This means there's roughly one deaf nonprofit for every 5,000 deaf people.  

Approximately 35% of those organizations operate with budgets under $25,000 a year. In other words, one in three deaf organizations has little to no income and relies completely on volunteers to keep their work going.  

This is not okay. Deaf organizations are the backbone of deaf communities.

Why This Work Matters

Deaf organizations provide essential, life-changing support to our communities, especially during times of crisis. 
 
Over the years, I've seen and heard countless personal stories that speak to their impact:

"They saved my life."
"They showed up when I needed them most."
"They helped me find a home."
"They helped me get a job."
"They gave me food and clothes when I lost everything or had nothing."

Behind every quote is a person with a story of resilience and a deaf nonprofit that supported them in their journey.

The Road Ahead

DOF, as the only funder in the US committed to deaf organizations, is raising $200K to support the work of 10 nonprofits in early 2026. But we can't do this work alone. Please consider joining us in funding deaf organizations. 

DONATE NOW

Together we can strengthen the nonprofits that show up every single day to make life better for our deaf communities.  

The 1% Crisis Affecting Deaf Nonprofits

There's too much at stake for deaf nonprofits right now, from threats to their tax-exempt status to federal funding cuts resulting in loss of services and ramped up competition for all other types of grants.

What's more, just 1% of the $37.2 billion (yes, billion) in grants awarded annually goes toward disability justice organizations. 1% is not enough.

What They're Saying

65% of deaf organization leaders who attended our webinars earlier this year reported feeling uncertainty related to future funding. Another 55% said they were being affected by or anticipating a decrease in funding, with 45% also experiencing an increased demand for their services.  

This pressure on nonprofits, whose programs and services are the backbone of our deaf communities, cannot continue unchecked.

Our Call to Action

Our commitment to deaf organizations and communities is unwavering. With the ever-increasing need to ensure the survival of deaf organizations, we’re looking to double the number of DOF grants awarded next year. By spring of 2026, our goal is to distribute at least $200,000 among 10 deaf organizations and programs. 
 
DOF is uniquely positioned as the nation's only grantmaking institution by and for deaf organizations. Whether you are reading this as someone affiliated with a deaf organization, a member of our deaf communities, another funding entity, or a donor, you have the power to help us change the course of history.  

Join us in funding deaf organizations today, ensuring their incomparable work for deaf communities continues in the decades to come.

DONATE NOW

One-Stop Shop: Experts Who Get Deaf Nonprofits

The Funding Disparity

With just 1% of overall philanthropic dollars going toward disability justice organizations, well-resourced deaf organizations are few and far in between. This funding disparity puts deaf organization leaders at a significant disadvantage in terms of financial sustainability, operational growth, and overall ability to fully meet the needs of their deaf communities. 

While grant dollars are, of course, absolutely essential for deaf nonprofits and programs, we also observed a common theme across the 300 grant applications DOF received over the past 5 years. Many of you expressed the need for a “one-stop shop” for finding accessible nonprofit experts to support your administrative or operating needs.   

Message received!

We now have a growing Consultant Directory available for use by deaf organization leaders. This directory centralizes nonprofit subject matter experts who identify as members of deaf communities and/or are equipped to provide communication access to you and other leaders of deaf organizations.   

If you need specific expertise, such as board governance, strategic planning, grant writing, and more, you can search the directory and filter by service categories. From there, it’s between you and the potential consultant to discuss logistics and determine the best fit! We also encourage you to reflect on the individuals you’ve worked with in the past. If they supported your organization and can provide communication access, please share this information with them. 

We look forward to the Consultant Directory expanding in both the number of listings and its utilization over time.

Lessons from a Virtual Fundraiser

Deaf Organizations Fund (DOF) relies on community support to help make our annual Impact Grant for Deaf Organizations possible. Because our grant program and nonprofit resources are offered nationwide by a team working remotely, we do not have a geographic-specific donor base.  

This means we’ve had to get creative with our fundraising efforts! One strategy we experimented with was hosting a virtual race called the Dash for Deaf Organizations. Between 2023 and 2025, supporters of all ages and abilities walked, wheeled, or ran their way through this annual Dash. Their registration fees and additional donations helped support the work of deaf organizations across the United States.

Over the course of three Dash events, we had 335 Dashers that brought in a collective total of $37,700+ in support of deaf organizations.

What worked?

We used a virtual race platform called RunSignup.com. Since none of us at DOF are particularly athletic (darn!) or experienced in hosting races, we experimented with different approaches!  

From varied distances and pricing tiers – 5K, 10K, and half-marathons – to options for forming race teams and creating fundraising pages, there was something for everyone to try. We even set up charity partnerships with several of our grantees to not only raise money for DOF, but to also encourage donations to our charity partners.  

We had the assistance of deaf athletes from MANOS3Nation as event ambassadors, deaf content creators, and charity partners in marketing the Dash events, as well as the financial backing of generous sponsoring companies. 

What was challenging?   

The idea of a virtual race is a tough sell. People struggled initially to understand how the distance options could be completed, and though we encouraged supporters to recruit friends, family, and co-workers to participate and complete the Dash together, it seemed as though the in-person, collective race aspect was desired by many.  

Final thoughts

Some of our charity partners held Dash meet-ups in various locations statewide, or even nationwide. While there are liability and permit considerations if your organization sets up a formal race course, these informal meet-ups to encourage participants to complete the Dash together seemed to generate considerable interest and success for the hosting organizations. If your organization is thinking about a virtual race, this could be a good hybrid strategy to consider! 

We are profoundly grateful to all who participated in and supported our Dash events. 

First-of-Its-Kind Directory for Deaf Nonprofits

We know one thing for certain: deaf organizations provide incomparable services to deaf communities, yet many are struggling.  

Since 2020, Deaf Organizations Fund (DOF) has received 300 funding requests from deaf organizations. Nearly half reported operating on less than $100K per year, highlighting the fact that organizations working with deaf communities are underfunded and under-resourced. Their services are fully accessible to their deaf communities, yet they are frequently limited in their capacity to pay rent, expand programming, hire staff, provide training, develop boards, and conduct strategic planning, among countless similar challenges. 

“As an agency that serves the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing, it can be difficult to find funding partners who understand the needs and culture of the communities we serve.” - DOF Impact Grant Applicant 

If you work for a foundation or are a grantmaking institution interested in supporting the work of deaf organizations, we’ve developed a resource to not only foster cross-organizational collaborations, but also to connect you, the funder, with these incredible yet oft-overlooked nonprofits.  

Called the Deaf Organizations and Programs Directory, this resource is a continually expanding list of nonprofits and programs working to meet the needs of deaf communities within the United States. The directory is searchable by geographic region and/or by cause area, such as advocacy, education, racial justice, and more.  

As an example: if you are affiliated with a community foundation that’s interested in locating and potentially resourcing deaf organizations in your state that address a particular need, use our directory to initiate your search!  

With deaf nonprofits receiving less than 1% of the $37.2 billion in grants awarded globally by funders each year, this is an optimal opportunity for you to help leverage the playing field.