NFAR Community Project Grants
2024 Projects Awards
We're excited to announce the NFAR Community Project Grantees for 2024!
Each year, funds raised by the Race for Autism help to support autism programs and new initiatives in our community. Together, we have supported over 111 major initiatives, increasing the learning, social, training options for those with autism in San Diego.
The Awardees include:
| Organization Name | Project Title | Project Length Months | Grant Award | Description |
| Blissful Seeds Inc. | Blissful Seeds, Inc. | 12 | $3,795.90 | Blissful Seeds' innovative social enterprise program offers individuals with disabilities the opportunity to master creative skills while honing their business and customer service skills, all while earning a competitive wage Last year, NFAR funding helped advertise the opening of its brick-n-mortar storefront that led to very positive results. The increased exposure resulted in individuals with disabilities wanting to partner with Blissful Seeds as consigners, where artists can display their products while earning a profit for the sales. Current grant funding will be used towards the purchase of new equipment for art classes, thus expanding opportunities for their current contractors, as well as individuals with disabilities who are on their waitlist. |
| YMCA of San Diego County | 2024 Camp I CAN Transportation | 3 | $9,500.00 | Grant funding will be used towards transportation primarily for their Adaptive Youth Program, Camp I CAN. during the months of June, July and August 2024. Camp I CAN is for children and youth ages 7-17 who are on the Autism Spectrum. Based out of the Toby Wells YMCA. This camp will serve a pproximately 105 children and youth. Transportation assistance will include ADA-compliant buses to community-based activities and field trips for each camp, including locations such as Petco Park, YMCA Camp Surf, San Diego Zoo, Museum of Making Music, Balboa Park museums, Living Coast Discovery Center, Birch Aquarium and more. They will also share the transportation for a day with Camp AWARE, the adult program for participants 18 and up who are on the Autism spectrum. Campers are given an opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends, and feel included with general population campers. |
| Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center | Program Expansion, reduced fees for riders | 12 | $10,000.00 | Launched in 2014, Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) member center that teachers recreational riding for children and adults of all ages with disabilities. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport and recreations and leisure. It also offers an extensive volunteer program and started a paid work internship programs with the high schools and offer an instructor in training program. Funding would be used to expand services to riders waiting to join the program by opening up more days and ride times, as well as bringing in and training new staff and certifications aiding the many riders with Autism on their current waitlist (50 on waitlist). |
| Casa de Mosaic Inc | Adapted/ Sensory Friendly Community Events for Adults with Autism | 12 | $4,000.00 | Casa de Mosaic is a newly established non profit to provide employment/training and social opportuntities for adults on the autism spectrum. The target population are adults who require extensive support due to social, behavorial and communication issues. Activities are designed to accomodate AAC users, who require 1:1 support and need sensory accomodations. Casa de Mosaic has partnered with the Public Library - College Rolando Branch to create a unique story time for adults on the autism spectrum. Grant funding will be used for internship support and materials for the libarry program, a monthly beach clean up and quarterly social opportunities . |
| Best Day Coffee Co. | Coffee Cart Business that Employs Individuals with Disabilities | 12 | $6,000.00 | Best Day Coffee is a start up company that wants to train and employ people with disabilities and pay them a competitive wage. With these funds, it would build out a mobile coffee bar that will have cold brew and lattes on tap so that the San Diego community can book it for events. Best Day Coffee's goal is to spread understanding and acceptance for an inclusive workforce that hires individuals with autism. |