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Canopy Neurodiversity Foundation

Grant Range
Up to $15.0M

Canopy Neurodiversity Foundation

Formerly Washington Neurodiversity Project

Quick Stats

  • Founded: 2023
  • Geographic Focus: Washington State
  • Foundation Type: Private Grantmaking Foundation
  • Major Grant Award: $15 million (UW Institute for Neurodiversity and Employment)
  • Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications
  • EIN: 92-1982555

Contact Details

Website: https://canopyfoundation.org

Location: 11410 NE 124th St, Suite 408, Kirkland, WA 98034

Email: For inquiries related to the UW Institute for Neurodiversity and Employment partnership: neurodiversity@uw.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canopyfoundation

Overview

Founded in 2023 and based in the greater Seattle region, the Canopy Neurodiversity Foundation (formerly Washington Neurodiversity Project) is a private foundation supported by Christian and Angela Chabot. The foundation has a focused mission: to enhance career pathways and employment outcomes for neurodivergent teens and adults, with the ambitious goal of making Washington State a leading region for building inclusive employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals.

Despite being a young foundation, Canopy has already made significant impact through strategic grantmaking, most notably with a transformational $15 million grant announced in October 2025 to establish the University of Washington Institute for Neurodiversity and Employment. The foundation operates through invitation-only grants and cultivates a network of professionals committed to dismantling systemic barriers and transforming workplaces to be truly neuroinclusive.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Institutional Grants The foundation makes significant institutional grants to establish and support neuroinclusion infrastructure:

  • University of Washington Institute for Neurodiversity and Employment: $15 million

Partner Work Experience Program Supports organizations providing early work experiences for neurodivergent youth through partnerships with local employers and community organizations. Partner organizations include:

  • Teens in Public Service (TIPS) - enabling neuroinclusive summer internships
  • Ryther's Seattle Creators Studio - pre-employment skills in creative technology
  • Summit Community Center - pre-employment services expansion

Career Coaching Support Program (CCSP) Provides financial assistance through partner organizations for personalized coaching from neuro-affirming coaches. Delivered in partnership with organizations like Redpoint Seattle to reduce financial barriers for neurodistinct individuals.

Priority Areas

  • Employment Pathways: Programs that create meaningful employment opportunities for neurodivergent teens and adults
  • Neuroinclusive Workplace Practices: Initiatives that transform organizational practices and policies to be neuroinclusive
  • School-to-Work Transitions: Programs bridging the gap from educational settings to employment
  • Research and Education: Translational research on neurodiversity and employment; professional education and training
  • Community Empowerment: Statewide efforts to strengthen neuroinclusive policies and practices
  • Youth Work Experiences: Early career exploration and pre-employment skill building for neurodivergent youth

Geographic Focus

Washington State exclusively

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations they have not pre-selected. This indicates they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside Washington State
  • Projects unrelated to neurodiversity and employment
  • Individual applications for organizational grants (though individuals may qualify for the Career Coaching Support Program through partner organizations)

Governance and Leadership

Co-Founders and Board

  • Christian Chabot - Co-founder and Board Member
  • Angela Chabot - Co-founder. Angela is a passionate advocate for 2e (twice-exceptional) education and holds a JD from Stanford Law School and a BS in Biology from Stanford University. She previously worked as a career law clerk for the United States District Court and runs the Holocene Fund with her husband, Christian. She states: "The neurodiversity movement is about uncovering the strengths of neurodistinct individuals and utilizing their talents to increase innovation and productivity of society as a whole."

Executive Leadership

  • Laurie Ackles, DSW, LMSW - Executive Director. Dr. Ackles is a nationally recognized leader in neurodiversity and disability inclusion, known for developing innovative programs that open doors for autistic and neurodivergent students and job seekers. She pioneered initiatives like the Spectrum Support Program and Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative at Rochester Institute of Technology—models now emulated nationwide.

On the $15 million UW grant, Dr. Ackles stated: "The Institute for Neurodiversity and Employment is set up to make a significant difference—not just at the University of Washington, but for communities all over our state. This institute will build on Canopy's vision for a truly neuroinclusive workforce, dramatically expanding what's possible in our state."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Canopy Neurodiversity Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations. They do not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

According to their materials: "We support neuroinclusion in Washington State through invitation-only grants. Although we do not take unsolicited applications, we value opportunities to connect with organizations making an impact in this field."

Individual Support: While the foundation does not accept unsolicited organizational grant applications, neurodivergent individuals in Washington State may be eligible for support through the Career Coaching Support Program (CCSP) delivered by partner organizations like Redpoint Seattle. Eligibility criteria include:

  • Residing in Washington State
  • Being 18 years of age or older
  • Having autism, ADHD, or a closely related neurotype
  • Demonstrating financial need (below WA state median income levels)

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation states they "value opportunities to connect with organizations making an impact" in the neurodiversity and employment field. Based on their documented partnerships, organizations that may attract their attention include:

Specific Partnership Models They Support:

  • Organizations providing paid internships or work experiences for neurodivergent youth in Washington State (similar to TIPS model)
  • Career coaching providers offering neuro-affirming services to neurodistinct individuals
  • Programs bridging school-to-work transitions for neurodivergent teens
  • Nonprofits developing pre-employment skills programs in creative or technical fields
  • Research institutions advancing understanding of neurodiversity and employment

Their Investment Philosophy: The foundation appears to favor being a "co-designer" and "anchor investor" in transformational initiatives, as evidenced by their role in shaping the UW Institute for Neurodiversity and Employment. They seek partnerships where they can drive vision and strategic direction, not just provide funding.

Decision Timeline

As an invitation-only foundation, specific decision timelines are not publicly available and would vary based on the foundation's strategic priorities and relationship development with potential partners.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations seeking to attract the foundation's attention should consider:

Alignment with Core Mission: The foundation's work is laser-focused on neurodiversity and employment in Washington State. Any initiative must directly advance career pathways and employment outcomes for neurodivergent teens and adults.

Evidence of Neuroinclusive Design: Based on quotes from leadership, the foundation values programs "designed for neurodiversity" rather than simply accommodating neurodivergent individuals in neurotypical frameworks. Hala Annabi, director of the UW Institute they funded, notes: "When learning and work environments are designed for neurodiversity — and managers and teachers are trained to be neuroinclusive — neurodivergent individuals achieve far better outcomes."

Scale and Systems Change: The $15 million UW grant suggests the foundation is interested in initiatives that can create systemic change and serve as models that can be "emulated nationwide," as noted in Dr. Ackles' background.

Partnership Approach: The foundation describes itself as playing a "transformative role in shaping" initiatives and serving as an "anchor investor" with involvement in "co-design and strategic direction." They appear to seek deep partnerships, not transactional grant relationships.

Geographic Commitment: All funded initiatives must serve Washington State communities.

Measurable Outcomes Focus: Their partnership organizations demonstrate clear outcomes - TIPS provides paid internships at $21.30/hour for up to 160 hours; the CCSP reduces financial barriers to coaching; the UW Institute has five defined pillars of activity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant proposals. They select partners through invitation only.

  • Relationship Development: While unsolicited applications are not accepted, the foundation states they "value opportunities to connect with organizations making an impact in this field," suggesting networking and relationship building may be valuable.

  • Narrow Focus, Deep Impact: The foundation has a very specific mission around neurodiversity and employment in Washington State. Organizations outside this focus should not spend time pursuing this funder.

  • Individual Support Available: While organizational grants are invitation-only, neurodivergent individuals may access support through the Career Coaching Support Program via partner organizations.

  • Strategic Co-Design Model: The foundation appears to favor partnerships where they help shape strategy and vision, not just provide funding. They seek transformational initiatives that can serve as models.

  • Early-Stage Foundation with Major Impact: Founded in 2023, this is a relatively new foundation that has already made one of the largest grants in neurodiversity employment ($15M). They may continue to grow their partnership portfolio.

  • Connect Through Existing Partners: Organizations might explore connections through the foundation's existing partners (UW, TIPS, Redpoint Seattle, Ryther, Summit Community Center) to learn more about their approach and priorities.

References

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