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Submit to 2026 Impact Grant for Deaf Organizations

Information about the 2026 Impact Grant for Deaf Organizations can also be found on Deaf Organizations Fund's website. 

To view the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in American Sign Language (ASL), click the YouTube video below:

 

Notice of Funding Opportunity:

In response to current challenges within the nonprofit sector and the funding barriers that deaf nonprofits and programs routinely face, Deaf Organizations Fund (DOF) has doubled our grantmaking to $200K. The 2026 Impact Grant for Deaf Organizations (“Impact Grant”) will provide one-year grants of $20,000 to ten selected deaf nonprofits.    

We recognize that as a funder, we have a critical role in supporting nonprofits through the current crisis. Our Impact Grant will continue to be unrestricted, with priority given to proposals that focus on: 

  • Immediate, urgent needs (community): Meeting the time-sensitive needs of community members.  For example, food, housing, safety, and access to mental health services, among other fundamental aspects of well-being.  

AND/OR 

  • Sustainable, long-term needs (organization): Addressing the capacity building needs of the organization. For example, cost-sharing of resources among partner organizations, development efforts, administrative needs, etc. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Deaf-centric organizations and programs that primarily work with members of deaf communities. 

Notes: Deaf communities include people who identify as Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, or DeafDisabled. Deaf-centric programs housed within larger mainstream organizations are eligible to apply, as long as the grant proposal is tied to the funding needs of the deaf-centric program. 

  • Organizations based in the U.S. with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or organizations that have a fiscal sponsor based in the U.S. with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. 

The Impact Grant cannot be used to fund: 

  • Capital projects, such as construction, renovations, or physical expansions 
  • An event(s), festival, or conference
  • Individuals not affiliated with a nonprofit organization, such as those requesting scholarships, loans, sponsorships, or funds for personal assistive devices 

Important Dates and Deadlines: 

  • February 3 - March 10, 2026: Applications are due by March 10th at 5:00 PM CT 
  • February 10 at 1:00 PM CT: Grant webinar, register here.
  • March 11 – April 2026: Application review period 
  • May 2026: Disbursement of grant awards 

Application Review:  

Applications will be scored on the following metrics: 

  • Equity: The degree to which the organization strives to center in their work the experiences and wisdom of deaf community members who have less access to power and representation, or marginalized deaf communities historically excluded from opportunities.
  • Impact: The alignment between the organization’s proposal to mission and the community they serve.
  • Feasibility: The organization’s ability to meet the goals outlined in their proposal  

The evaluation rubric for each metric is available here.

Grant Review Process:  

The DOF Grant Review Committee will use the provided rubric to evaluate applications and recommend finalists to DOF for grant awards. From the finalist pool, the DOF staff and board, along with our parent organization, Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. (CSD), will determine the 2026 grantee cohort. The grant review process will involve the following individuals:

  • Makoto Ikegami, Grant Review Committee member
  • Norma Morán, Grant Review Committee member
  • Michelle Reyes, Grant Review Committee member
  • Roxann Richards, Grant Review Committee member
  • Elena Ruiz-Tucker, Grant Review Committee member
  • Finn Thurber, DOF Creative Strategist
  • Avi Haimowitz, DOF Director of Development and Fundraising
  • Sasha Ponappa, DOF Executive Director
  • Chris Soukup, CSD CEO, DOF Board Member
  • Maria Wilson, CSD Chief Legal Officer, DOF Board Member
  • Thomas Means, CSD Chief Finance Officer, DOF Board Member
  • Marilyn Smith, DOF Board Member  

Conflict of Interest: 

DOF understands that our deaf communities are small and interconnected. In recognition of this, and to ensure a transparent and fair evaluation process for all applicants, we require full disclosure of any actual or perceived conflicts of interest with anyone on the Grant Review Committee, DOF, or CSD’s staff and board. 

Definitions: An actual conflict of interest arises when an applicant has a personal interest or affiliation with member(s) of the grant review process that conflicts with the integrity of the grant evaluation. Similarly, an actual conflict of interest exists where there is an unfair influence on the grant review process. A perceived conflict of interest exists where there may be a public perception of a potential conflict of interest.  

Examples of Conflicts: Both actual and perceived conflicts of interest extend to close family members or personal relationships (e.g., an applicant’s spouse holds an affiliation, such as a consultancy or advisory role with DOF).  Conflicts of interest may occur when an individual on the Grant Review Committee, DOF, or CSD’s staff and board, is also currently a director, officer, contractor, consultant, agent, or staff member of the applicant organization.  

Disclosure of conflict of interest: In the application, organizations should specify who the conflict is with and what the conflict is. Disclosing a conflict will not automatically disqualify an applicant organization. DOF will review all potential conflicts and determine the appropriate actions, including but not limited to ensuring the person(s) involved do not participate in evaluating the application. 

Accommodations: 

DOF is committed to making all application materials available in multiple forms, including American Sign Language and English. To obtain and complete the application in alternative formats, please contact us at DOF@DeafOrganizationsFund.org

Submittable Account: 

All applicants must submit their application on DOF’s Submittable account. It is recommended that you create or update your Submittable account using your organization’s general email (i.e., info@YourOrgName.org) to prevent lost application notifications due to staff turnover.  If awarded, the account holder – using this email address - is also responsible for submitting the organization’s financial information and post-award grant reports on Submittable.    

Collaborate with others: 

Applicants can invite others to assist with the application by making them a “collaborator” via the Submittable application portal. At the top of your application portal, click on the “Invite Collaborator” link and send the link to the individuals you want to work with on the grant application. By collaborating with others, you can simultaneously work and review the application together, but you – the account holder - will be the only person who can submit the application when ready. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

We have put together answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs), including a preview of the proposal questions. Read the FAQs here.

Contact Us: 

If you have questions about the application, please email DOF@DeafOrganizationsFund.org. We're available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM CT. 

If you experience technical difficulties completing this application, please use this help portal: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/. 

Deaf Organizations Fund