2026 Impact Grant for Deaf Organizations

DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC) addresses a critical gap in communication access and safe navigation for DeafBlind individuals across Washington State who face barriers in medical, legal, housing, and emergency situations—particularly in high‑stakes circumstances where health, safety, and rights may be at risk. Through its Co‑Navigator (CN) and Communication Facilitator (CF) programs, DBSC provides essential support, including environmental navigation and access to complete information, tailored to individual needs through alloted monthly service hours. Grant funding will enable DBSC to significantly expand these services, ensuring timely, critical support—especially in urgent and unexpected situations—while advancing safety, autonomy, and equitable access statewide.

Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community (MDMC) seeks to respond to an urgent mental health, safety, and basic needs crisis impacting Deaf, Deaf Plus, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals and families across Minnesota—many of whom are immigrants or part of immigrant households. In recent months, heightened immigration enforcement throughout the Twin Cities has generated fear, uncertainty, and instability across the community. Through this grant, MDMC will provide safety planning, culturally responsive mental health support, and assistance with essential needs, while also strengthening the organization’s rapid response efforts so their community is better supported and prepared in times of future crisis.

Camp Taloali provides an inclusive outdoor camp experience that builds communication, leadership, and social development for deaf, deafblind, deaf‑disabled, and hard‑of‑hearing youth, in partnership with the broader community. Grant funds will support a phased plan to strengthen the long‑term sustainability, accessibility, and emergency preparedness of Camp Taloali’s 111‑acre property. These improvements will enhance safety systems, environmental stewardship, and communication access, ensuring a safer and more inclusive environment for all campers, students, staff, and renters for years to come.

Global Deaf Research Institute (GDRI) advances deaf‑led research, education, and evidence‑based advocacy to improve the quality of life for deaf communities worldwide. In just three years, GDRI has conducted multiple international deployments, established formal government partnerships, and produced data now influencing national policy frameworks. To sustain and scale their work with only two full‑time staff and a reliance on volunteers and project‑based funding, GDRI will use grant funds to strengthen its development infrastructure by partnering with a national fundraising consulting firm and hiring a grant researcher to expand their institutional grant pipeline.

For over two decades, the Metro South Asian Deaf Association (MSADA) has served as a vital, volunteer-led resource for the Deaf South Asian diaspora. Through culturally rooted programming, youth empowerment, and international relief, MSADA has built a proven track record of meeting the community's unique needs with dedication. As demand for their services grows nationwide, MSADA will use the grant to strengthen organizational infrastructure and expand capacity, ensuring vital resources remain accessible to their community.

Six Deaf‑led nonprofit organizations across Washington State are collaborating to address the growing challenges in board recruitment, retention, burnout, and governance capacity that have limited their ability as volunteers to fully support Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard‑of‑Hearing communities. Together, Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS), Deaf Spotlight, DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC), Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center (HSDC), Washington State Hands & Voices, and the Washington State Association of the Deaf (WSAD) will use grant funds to provide an accessible, culturally-responsive intensive board training that focuses on deaf‑centered nonprofit governance, including board development, non-profit structure, fundraising, financial literacy/oversight, strategic planning, risk management, succession planning, board evaluations, and more.

Deaf underserved individuals, including refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers and their families, in the Greater Rochester, NY area face significant barriers to digital literacy, limiting access to employment, healthcare, education, and essential services. Through a small pilot, Deaf Refugee Advocacy (DRA) discovered that bringing digital literacy training directly into community spaces not only built critical skills but also uncovered urgent, unmet needs, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and social isolation, which often remain invisible. Grant funding will allow DRA to expand and sustain this community‑based model, using digital literacy as an entry point to deepen trust, broaden reach, and respond more holistically to the full range of needs facing deaf individuals and families.

Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) will address the persistent communication and information barriers that prevent Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing older adults from accessing programs that support healthy aging. Because most mainstream aging resources lack ASL access or culturally appropriate communication, Deaf seniors nationwide report difficulty finding reliable information critical to their well‑being and financial security. DSA will use grant funds to expand accessible outreach through ASL‑based educational content, visually accessible materials, and enhanced communications capacity, ensuring Deaf older adults remain informed, connected, and supported.

Rising inflation and limited shelter availability have made it increasingly difficult for Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf+, Deaf senior, and hard‑of‑hearing survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking to secure safe housing and meet basic needs. Sego Lily will use a portion of the grant funds to provide immediate housing and financial assistance to survivors during this critical time. The remaining funds will support staff well‑being and strengthen board leadership capacity, helping ensure long‑term organizational stability and high‑quality services.