Redressing an Imbalance

Some DFN funders focus exclusively on disability. Others focus on civil rights and diversity. Many members fall somewhere in between, concerned about the connection between disability and housing. Or education. Or civil rights, the arts or any priority issue of their grantmaking organization.

DFN members are committed to redressing an imbalance: the fact that, according to The Foundation Center, a mere 2.9 percent of grantmaking dollars (5.1 percent of grants) were directed to programs serving people with disabilities in 2003 – grossly underrepresentative of the 20 percent of the U.S. population who have disabilities.

Ten Reasons to Join DFN

Benefits of Membership

Networking with Grantmakers and Disability Experts

• A member directory and updated reports on members’ disability funding
• A window on Washington, D.C., providing on-the-spot information on policy issues an linkage to policymakers
• Links to disability experts across the country

Information and Publications

• DFN E-News, featuring profiles of members’ grants and activities, articles exploring the impact of federal and state policy and actions on disability funders and nonprofits, disability events in the news, reports on DFN projects, and a calendar of upcoming events. Archives available on DFN Web site.
• Active listservs – including one “funders only” group for discussion of grantmaker issues and others linking funders to disability experts, nonprofits and government agencies
• Updates on trends and policy changes affecting people with disabilities
• Timely information about current and pending disability funding initiatives

Professional Development

• Local and national workshops and conference sessions

Technical Assistance

• Tailored information and reports based on DFN research projects and individualized funding research in your area
• Tools and resources for effective disability grantmaking (see DFN Resources and Links)