Grants & Guidelines

Since 2006, the Night of Too Many Stars benefit has raised over $30 million toward NEXT for AUTISM’s mission to provide children and adults with autism the opportunity to live fulfilling, engaged, and meaningful lives.

The 2018 grant cycle is closed. Please check back periodically on this website for information about the next grant cycle. Thank you for your interest.

GRANTS

NEXT for AUTISM’s Night of Too Many Stars Grants Program funds initiatives and organizations across the United States whose programs improve the outcomes for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families in the following areas:

Educational:   Children with autism often find it challenging to learn in typical circumstances.  NEXT for AUTISM supports exceptional schools that teach children with autism to learn, communicate, read and gain fundamental life-long skills.

Social:  A core challenge for people with autism is socializing.  After school and weekend programs help them learn to relate to others in a social setting and make friends.

Vocational:  Students with autism exiting school face high rates of unemployment.  Hands-on programs teach students and young adults to work and succeed in a work setting.

Community-Based:  Disconnection and isolation are more common for people with autism than many other disabilities.  Community living options, recreation, arts, athletic and volunteer programs help connect people with autism to their communities.

Safety:  Interaction between people with autism and first responders, generally law enforcement, can lead to misunderstandings.  NEXT for SAFETY, a new initiative, supports organizations that serve the autism community to improve awareness of autism among first responders, and to help families and individuals learn to navigate safety issues.

Beyond funding, we also provide strategic or tactical guidance to select grantees.