The Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation

Powered by the Truist Foundation, small businesses are encouraged to start or advance their inclusion journey through a unique opportunity with Autism Speaks through a Small Business Starter Program. Co-developed by people with autism, expert researchers, and clinicians, this program provides your small business with resources to support people with disabilities, including autism and related conditions.

The program includes:

  • Autism Friendly Designation - The Autism Friendly Designation Program fosters organizational understanding and acceptance of autistic people, their family members, and those who support them. Guided by best-in-class principles in customer experience, this 30-minute digital training and associated designation activities are built upon national-level competencies in direct support to people with disabilities to help your organization create more inclusive customer experiences.
  • Workplace Inclusion Now™ (WIN) is Autism Speaks workforce development program designed to promote and create an inclusive workplace in which not just autistic adults, but all employees can thrive.  As a feature of the WIN Small Business Starter Program, participating small businesses will have the opportunity to access our WIN digital training series.
  • Events and Networking Opportunities - In addition to the Autism Friendly Designation and Workplace Inclusion Now training series, participants in the Small Business Starter Program will receive additional resources, connect with Autism Speaks staff, and network with fellow program participants through: A virtual welcome and program onboarding event with Autism Speaks staff, WIN tip sheets to reinforce and expand on the WIN digital training series, quarterly virtual coffee session, and invitations to participate in Autism Speaks virtual Employment Pathways Events.

There would be no cost to the company if they are awarded a scholarship. Thanks to our friends at the Truist Foundation, we are able to award up to 30 scholarships for this program. 

Click here if you are a small business and want to apply. You will need to create an account for our grants system and then select 'Truist Foundation' for the application. 

Supporter since: 2016