Grants and Scholarships
Many private organizations and foundations offer financial assistance for families. If your child has a specific diagnosis, check with the applicable national organization for funding information. We will be happy to provide any information needed for filling out applications.
The following is a list of grants and scholarships that may provide funding for music therapy services. This list does not guarantee that funding is available, nor that they consider music therapy to be an appropriate use of their funds (unless otherwise stated). This is not an exhaustive list, and we will keep it as updated as possible, but there may be many more options available if you look for them. We are unable to fill out applications for you, but will be happy to provide any information you might need for the application process. We also urge families to thoroughly check out each funding source to determine if they are a reputable agency before applying for funds.
Any Disability
-
Tennessee Family Support Program – typically provides up to $1000 to be used for therapies and other medical expenses. (Several of our families are using this funding to pay for music therapy.)
- Davidson County: The ARC of Davidson County
- Rutherford County: United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee
- Williamson County: The ARC of Williamson County
- Wilson County: Prospect, Inc.
- Other counties: Please go to the State website to find the agency administering the program in your county
- Tennessee Respite Coalition – Provides voucher system for family directed respite, providing much needed respite to family caregivers and encourages families to feel in control of and empowered to use respite. We have had families receive up to $600 that they were able to use for music therapy services.
-
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation – Grants for medical-related services that have the potential to significantly enhance either the clinical condition or the quality of life of the child and that are not fully covered by the available commercial health benefit plan.
-
All Together Kids from United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee – All Together Kids is a program designed to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in community based after school programs, recreational, arts, and extra curricular activities alongside their typically developing peers. Funds also may be used for specific therapies and services that are targeted toward development of communication, socialization, or other skills that may be necessary for children with disabilities to integrate effectively with their peers.
- Disabled Children’s Relief Fund – Grants may be used for assistive devices, rehabilitative services, arts and humanities projects, or for efforts to bolster compliance with existing laws for the benefit of children with disabilities. Applications available online between April and September.
- Children’s Charity Fund – Provides grants for medical equipment or education.
- Helping from Heaven – Grants for equipment and therapy provided through the Lexi Kazian Foundation. Music Therapy is listed as a choice on the application when asking what therapy a child receives. Deadlines are April 30, August 31 and Dec 31.
- First Hand Foundation – Accepts applications throughout the year. Provides grants for equipment and treatment.
- Wheel to Walk Foundation – Provides grants for medical equipment and services.
- The Lindsay Foundation – Provides grants for medical treatment, therapies, and rehabilitative equipment. New applications will be accepted in January 2013.
Autism
-
Helping Hands Program – From the National Autism Association. Applications available during the month of June. They ask that you not apply if your annual household income exceeds $50,000.
-
TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) Family Scholarship Program – Provides for evaluation only, not ongoing services. This could be used for an evaluation to submit to insurance or the school system. Applications considered monthly. Priority given to families with annual household income below $65,000.
-
ACT Today! Grant Program – Scholarships awarded quarterly. Applications accepted during the months of January, April, July, and October. Also has separate grant program through ACT Today! for Military Families.
-
Autism Relief Foundation Grants – This does have a grant that specifically states it can be used for music therapy. Applications are available on their website beginning in July. [Website was not working as of 11/2012. Link now takes you to their Facebook page which includes contact information.]
Williams Syndrome
- Williams Syndrome Association Scholarships – Scholarship application available on website. States that it can be used for music therapy.
- Williams Syndrome Changing Lives Foundation – Provides funding for a variety of purposes, including therapy and music camps.
Speech and Language Disorders
- Small Steps in Speech - Assists children with speech and language disorders by funding supplemental therapies and treatments. Next deadline is March 8, 2013.
Interested in Groups Working to Bring Other Funding Sources to our Area?
- Tennesseans for Autism Insurance Reform is a group working to secure comprehensive health coverage for Tennessee children on the spectrum.
- Options for Tennessee- Katie Beckett Waiver and Tefra Option is a place for caretakers and advocates interested in making the Katie Beckett Medicaid waiver or TEFRA option a reality in Tennessee to connect, discuss, support, and act. This is a joint effort between the TN Justice Center and the TN Disability Coalition.
- GiGi’s Playhouse – Nashville – Group starting a Down Syndrome awareness center, providing support and educational programs.
·
