Autism Speaks announces 2021 Norma and Malcom Baker Recreation Grant Recipients
114 organizations across 31 states received funding for community programs
May 3, 2022
We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2021 Autism Speaks Norma and Malcom Baker Recreation Grants. These grants fund programs that provide autistic people of all ages with social and educational experiences that positively impact their daily lives and help them reach their full potential.
This year, 114 organizations across 31 states were awarded grant funding of up to $5,000. Their programs fund a range of initiatives, including summer camps, adult services, adult employment programs, physical fitness activities and swimming and water safety programs.
Grant applications were reviewed by a team of independent evaluators. The reviewers consisted of people with autism, parents, caregivers, clinicians and other supporters of the autism community. Autism Speaks asks reviewers to evaluate applications in their local area so that submissions are reviewed with the current needs of the community in mind. Once the evaluation process was completed, the top-rated finalists were approved for funding by our organization's leadership team.
Grant recipients were chosen based on their ability to:
- reach a wide age range of people on the spectrum
- have a true, measurable impact on the lives of those who participate and their loved ones
- grow and replicate best practices with other partners in their community, state or region
Since 2018, the Autism Speaks Baker Grant program has awarded over $1,094,000 to 237 organizations nationwide and served tens of thousands of people with autism, their caregivers, families, teachers, therapists and peers.
Thank you to all of our grant winners and applicants. We appreciate your dedication to serve our community.
Autism Speaks 2021 Grant Recipients
|
Organization |
Project Name |
Category |
City |
|
Arts 'n Autism 2022 Summer SPLASH Camps |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Tuscaloosa, AL |
|
|
Enhancing Training of Adapted CrossFit Instructors to Improve Access for Individuals with ASD |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Auburn, AL |
|
|
H.O.P.E. |
Employment |
Fayetteville, AR |
|
|
Autism Empowerment Program (AEP) |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Phoenix, AZ |
|
|
The Academy |
Adult Services |
Scottsdale, AZ |
|
|
Group Supported Employment (GSE) |
Employment |
Hereford, AZ |
|
|
Project Bridge The Gap |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Long Beach, CA |
|
|
AbilityFirst Camp Paivika |
Summer Camps |
Pasadena, CA |
|
|
Autism Peer 1 on 1 |
Summer Camps |
Cypress, CA |
|
|
Camp I CAN (Camp Including Children with Autism Now) |
Summer Camps |
San Diego, CA |
|
|
Autism Days |
Summer Camps |
Livingston, CA |
|
|
Coding Star Summer Camp for Kids on the Autism Spectrum |
Summer Camps |
Irvine, CA |
|
|
Adaptive Special Events for Community Inclusion |
Adult Services |
Indio, CA |
|
|
Summer@ETTA 2022 |
Summer Camps |
North Hollywood, CA |
|
|
Without Walls |
Adult Services |
Pacific Grove, CA |
|
|
Inclusion Aides for Campers with Autism |
Summer Camps |
La Jolla, CA |
|
|
Nutritional Program |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Newport Beach, CA |
|
|
Bringing Back RAD In-Person Summer Camps in 2022 |
Summer Camps |
Irvine, CA |
|
|
Equine Therapy |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Fullerton, CA |
|
|
Summer CAMP for Kids |
Summer Camps |
Sacramento, CA |
|
|
Abilis Employment Program |
Employment |
Greenwich, CT |
|
|
Career and Transition Services |
Employment |
North Haven, CT |
|
|
Arts for Autism Spectrum Dance Therapy |
Summer Camps |
Hialeah, FL |
|
|
Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities Inc. D/B/A The Haven |
Sumer Camp Scholarships for Teens with ASD |
Summer Camps |
Sarasota, FL |
|
Out of the Comfort Zone and on the Water Sailing |
Summer Camps |
Clearwater, FL |
|
|
Homestead Summer Camp 2022 |
Summer Camps |
Miami, FL |
|
|
Miami Dance Project 2022 Summer Dance Camp |
Summer Camps |
Pinecrest, FL |
|
|
Adult Day Training |
Adult Services |
Lynn Haven, FL |
|
|
Camp iREAD (intensive Reading for the Enrichment of Academic Development) |
Summer Camps |
Orlando, FL |
|
|
Evaluating the Good Behavior Game with Children with ASD |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Coral Gables, FL |
|
|
Swim and Water Safety for Neurodiverse Campers |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Fayetteville, GA |
|
|
Corps Class |
Adult Services |
Watkinsville, GA |
|
|
Camp I Can Summer Camp Scholarships |
Summer Camps |
Cumming, GA |
|
|
Summer Camp |
Summer Camps |
Thomasville, GA |
|
|
Swimming For Everyone |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Conyers, GA |
|
|
Responding to the Needs of Children and Families Living with ASD in the Southern Georgia Area |
Summer Camps |
Thomasville, GA |
|
|
YMCA of Metro Atlanta's Swim and Water Safety Lessons for Children with Autism |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Atlanta, GA |
|
|
Lanakila Pacific PEERS® Social Skills Training for Young Adults |
Employment |
Honolulu, HI |
|
|
Future Ready Transition Program |
Employment |
Urbandale, IA |
|
|
Community Inclusion Project |
Adult Services |
Rockford, IL |
|
|
Giant City Stables Equine Therapy Program at Brehm Preparatory School - Let's Ride! |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Carbondale, IL |
|
|
Improving Affordability of Winter Rec Camps 2021 |
Summer Camps |
Lisle, IL |
|
|
Keshet Winter Camp |
Summer Camps |
Northbook, IL |
|
|
Creating Outside the Lines: Educational, Therapeutic, Recreational Theatre Arts Program |
Adult Services |
Northbrook, IL |
|
|
Vocational Resource Room for Individuals with Autism |
Employment |
Springfield, IL |
|
|
My Summer Journey |
Summer Camps |
Greenwood, IN |
|
|
Portage Township Autism Action Coalition Water Safety Classes |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Portage, IN |
|
|
Outdoor Inclusion |
Adult Services |
Dodge City, KS |
|
|
Tankproof: Saving 1 Life at a Time |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Prairieville, LA |
|
|
Happy Camp with Gnome Surf |
Summer Camps |
Fall River, MA |
|
|
Expanding KDC's ASD-only Programming |
Adult Services |
Foxboro, MA |
|
|
Summer Camp 2022 |
Summer Camps |
Needham, MA |
|
|
Fostering Safety, Mobility and Community Engagement: Yoga for Physical and Emotional Wellness |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Rockville, MD |
|
|
Culinary Workforce Development Program |
Employment |
Huntingtown, MD |
|
|
Data Entry Learning Program |
Employment |
Timonium, MD |
|
|
Job Readiness Program (JRP) at Madison Fields |
Employment |
Rockville, MD |
|
|
Driver Safety Program: What To Do During a Traffic Stop |
Adult Services |
Hunt Valley, MD |
|
|
Instructional Swim Program-From Water Safety to Learn to Swim and Swim Team Participation |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
|
The Indigo Child Therapeutic |
Summer Camps |
Upper Marlboro, MD |
|
|
The Miracle League of Harford County Inc. |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Forest Hill, MD |
|
|
Removing Barriers to Recreation - Swimming Classes for Youth with Autism |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Grand Rapids, MI |
|
|
Autism Friendly Austin 3 Summer Camps at the Hormel Historic Home |
Summer Camps |
Austin, MN |
|
|
Adventure Camp 2022 |
Summer Camps |
St. Louis, MO |
|
|
Extended Learning & Development |
Summer Camps |
Charlotte, NC |
|
|
A Non-Profit Educational Program for Students with Autism Attending Community College |
Adult Services |
Wilmington, NC |
|
|
LIFE (Liberty Institute for Empowerment) |
Employment |
Tinton Falls, NJ |
|
|
Employment Readiness & Counseling Services for Autistic Adults |
Employment |
Princeton, NJ |
|
|
Summer Day Camp Inclusion Program |
Summer Camps |
Livingston, NJ |
|
|
Project: Train TOADS Team Members |
Employment |
Burlington, NJ |
|
|
We Make Works! |
Employment |
Pennington, NJ |
|
|
Inclusion Day Camp |
Summer Camps |
Westfield, NJ |
|
|
Adapt Ability 4Ride |
Summer Camps |
Brooklyn, NY |
|
|
Enhancing Project: A Vocational Training Program for Youth and Young Adults with Autism |
Employment |
New York, NY |
|
|
LGBTQ in Autism Spectrum Disorder |
Adult Services |
East Meadow, NY |
|
|
Equine Therapeutic Horsemanship Technology |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Bedford Corners, NY |
|
|
Sensational Swim – Water Safety and Swimming Instruction |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Utica, NY |
|
|
THRIVE Therapeutic Day Camp |
Summer Camps |
Rochester, NY |
|
|
Rethinking an Inclusive Workforce in the Retail Industry |
Employment |
New York, NY |
|
|
TNC Studios - A Social Media Outlet of the ASD Perspective |
Adult Services |
Port Washington, NY |
|
|
Summer Magic |
Summer Camps |
Yorktown Heights, NY |
|
|
Workforce Ambassador Program-Sustaining meaningful employment opportunities for Autistic Adults |
Employment |
Port Washington, NY |
|
|
Autistic Women at Work (AWW) |
Employment |
White Plains, NY |
|
|
Therapeutic Horsemanship Program for Children 4 and Older with Autism |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Highland Hills, OH |
|
|
Full STEAM Ahead! Summer Challenge |
Summer Camps |
Toledo, OH |
|
|
Speaking Horse - A Communication Horse Lover's Camp for Children with Autism |
Summer Camps |
Blacklick, OH |
|
|
Learning 4 Life Farm 2022 Student Garden |
Employment |
Johnstown, OH |
|
|
School House Rock "Sensory Friendly" Performance |
Adult Services |
Dayton, OH |
|
|
KindTree - Autism Rocks Friends and Family Camp |
Summer Camps |
Eugene, OR |
|
|
ABA Abilities |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Forest Hills, PA |
|
|
Spinning Towards Fitness |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Schnecksville, PA |
|
|
Achieving Competitive Employment (ACE) |
Employment |
Harrisburg, PA |
|
|
Play, Pause, Breathe - Yoga with WFS Creative Arts |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Pittsburgh, PA |
|
|
Lifeskills Learning |
Employment |
Anderson, SC |
|
|
Summer Camp Tuition Scholarships for Children and Youth with Autism in Coastal South Carolina |
Summer Camps |
Murrells Inlet, SC |
|
|
ABA Next Steps |
Employment |
Lenoir City, TN |
|
|
Physical Fitness and Sports Program |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Oak Ridge, TN |
|
|
Nashville Dolphins Adaptive Aquatics 2022 Swim Team Program |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Nashville, TN |
|
|
Camp Able |
Summer Camps |
Memphis, TN |
|
|
Super Elite Basketball Clinic for Autism and Special Needs |
Summer Camps |
Houston, TX |
|
|
Campership and Financial Assistance for Individuals with Autism to Attend Barrier-Free Camp |
Summer Camps |
Dallas, TX |
|
|
Care Warriors Unique Experience |
Employment |
San Antonio, TX |
|
|
The Bridges College Success Program |
Employment |
Longview, TX |
|
|
Lighthouse Learning Center |
Summer Camps |
Lubbock, TX |
|
|
Commonwealth Residential living |
Adult Services |
Sandston, VA |
|
|
Soul Bowlers |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Portsmouth, VA |
|
|
Serving the Swimming Spectrum: Access to Private Lessons for Low-Income Autistic Children |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Woodbridge, VA |
|
|
Buddy Athletics and Outdoor Adventures |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Richmond, VA |
|
|
Northstar Career Academy |
Employment |
Richmond, VA |
|
|
Inclusive Horse Camp |
Summer Camps |
Haymarket, VA |
|
|
YMCA Adaptive Swim Program |
Swimming and Water Safety |
Burlington, VT |
|
|
Horse Essentials |
Physical Fitness and Sports |
Tulalip, WA |
|
|
Islands of Brilliance Sandbox Summer Camps: Intervention through Exploration & Creativity |
Summer Camps |
Milwaukee, WI |
