WITH Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3-3.5 million (during spend-down phase)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: $30,000 - $250,000 (typical); Strategic partnerships significantly larger
• Geographic Focus: National (U.S. only), with preference for San Francisco Bay Area

Contact Details

• Website: https://withfoundation.org
• Phone: 650-320-1715
• Email: info@withfoundation.org
• Address: 1900 S. Norfolk Street, Suite 350, San Mateo, CA 94403

Overview

The WITH Foundation (Working for Inclusive and Transformative Healthcare) is a private foundation established in 2002 that has provided over $12 million in funding to promote comprehensive healthcare for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Originally founded as the Special Hope Foundation by Lynne O'Hara, the organization rebranded in 2017 to reflect its commitment to inclusion rather than "special" language. In September 2023, the foundation announced it will spend down all assets and sunset operations by December 31, 2028, increasing annual grantmaking to $3-3.5 million during this phase. The foundation is recognized for its anti-ableist approach to philanthropy, with people with disabilities represented at all organizational levels including board, advisory committees, and decision-making processes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Open Grant Cycles: $30,000 - $50,000 (one year of support; currently paused)
• Research Grants: Up to $250,000 (for qualifying research projects)
• Strategic Partnerships: Multi-million dollar investments (by invitation only)
• Request for Proposals (RFP): Variable amounts for specific focus areas

Priority Areas

• Health practitioner education and training programs
• Reimbursement system reform for disability healthcare
• Advocacy and systemic change efforts
• Supported decision-making in healthcare settings
• Digital health inclusion initiatives
• Healthcare equity for adults with IDD
• Defense of Medicaid and Medicare programs

What They Don't Fund

• International organizations or projects
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Projects not aligned with adult IDD healthcare mission

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director Ryan Easterly leads the foundation and serves as a prominent voice in disability philanthropy, co-chairing the Presidents' Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy alongside John Palfrey of MacArthur Foundation. Easterly was appointed by President Obama to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities in 2016 and is a 2024-2025 Obama Leader.

The foundation operates with a Self-Advocate Advisory Committee of eight individuals with disabilities who review all grant proposals and provide input on funding decisions. Committee Chair Yolanda Vargas leads this group, whose members are compensated for their expertise. According to Easterly, "We value lived expertise" and the committee operates "intentionally like a board to serve as training ground for members to serve on other funder boards."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL UPDATE: As of September 2025, the foundation is over two years into its sunset process and has paused regular grant cycles. Prospective applicants should check back in June 2026 for updates on whether any final grant cycles will open before the foundation closes on December 31, 2028.

When active, the foundation operates:

• Two Open Grant Cycles annually (traditionally beginning November 1)
• One Request for Proposals cycle (traditionally beginning July 1)
• Two-tiered application: Letter of Interest (LOI) followed by full application if invited

Decision Timeline

The foundation acknowledges all LOI submissions but does not specify exact decision timelines. They welcome communication at any time through their contact page.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not specified, though the foundation welcomes ongoing communication with applicants

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and advisory committee input:

• Clear mission alignment: Proposals must explicitly address comprehensive healthcare for adults with IDD
• Inclusive design: The Self-Advocate Advisory Committee reviews whether proposals are "designed well for people with disabilities"
• Identifiable need: Applications must describe an explicit, identifiable need
• Geographic relevance: While national in scope, Bay Area projects may receive preferential consideration
• Innovation: Foundation values approaches that "challenge prevailing attitudes toward people with disabilities"
• Self-advocate engagement: Projects that meaningfully involve and empower self-advocates are prioritized

Ryan Easterly noted in March 2024: "We are pleased to support these organizations because their work further empowers self-advocates, communities, and supports comprehensive healthcare."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation is in its final years of operation, ending December 31, 2028
• Regular grant cycles are currently paused; check website in June 2026 for updates
• Strategic partnerships with existing grantees are the current funding priority
• The foundation values lived expertise and compensates advisory committee members
• Pre-application communication is welcomed through their contact page
• Bay Area organizations may have slight advantage but national scope is maintained
• Focus on how your project empowers self-advocates and advances healthcare equity

References

• WITH Foundation official website (https://withfoundation.org) - Accessed March 2024
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, EIN 73-1644863 records - Accessed March 2024
• Foundation press releases announcing grant awards, December 2024, October 2024, June 2024
• Disability & Philanthropy Forum resources on anti-ableist grantmaking
• Inside Philanthropy coverage of WITH Foundation spend-down announcement, September 2023
• National Center for Family Philanthropy profile
• GuideStar organizational profile