ESA Foundation Life Grant

The LIFE Grant was established in 2001 from the "Life Active Membership" fund. This grant was established for the purpose of helping those with special needs in three different areas:

1. Career opportunities – continued training for all ages;
2. Parent training – for parents/guardians of children with special needs;
3. Training for individuals "at risk"

Career opportunities: Assistance to persons who seek to further their study/training at a source not usually associated with a college or university. This assistance may also provide opportunities for attending workshops, seminars, intern training, etc. for the development of skills that enhance the environment or contribute to community improvements.

Parent training: Assistance to someone who is in need of parenting skill training. This may include, but is not limited to: a new parent; a prospective parent; a teenage mother without family support; a person who is in a guardianship position of a child. Said child must have been diagnosed with a chronic or life-threatening illness or handicap that requires the parent(s) to obtain training to assist them in rearing the child more successfully. Examples of disorders/handicaps may include, but are not limited to: hearing loss, asthma, diabetes, and blindness. Parents may also be considered in need of assistance because their lack of knowledge as regards basic child-rearing skills poses a possible health/abuse threat to the child.

Training for an individual "at risk": Assistance to support educational programs or materials that assist the disadvantaged or individual "at risk" in society. This grant is specifically designed to improve the quality of life and bring these individuals into the mainstream of society. This grant may also be applied for by someone seeking to assist another person. Examples: An "at risk" student in a program such as special camp for behavior modification, or programs for homeless, jobless, or untrained individuals.

How to apply for the LIFE grant

• Applications will be accepted by the ESA Foundation grant chairman and will be considered and acted upon when received. The LIFE grant will be awarded as funds are available and will be limited to $1,000 with a reasonable variance of $200.
• Applications must be submitted on the current LIFE grant application form to include a description of the request and approximate cost of materials, tools, supplies, travel, etc.
• The money must be used within one year. Applicant(s) may submit one application per year.
• Within six months, the evaluation report form must be sent to the grant chairman due to our nonprofit tax status. This is to include receipts of how the money was spent and how it benefited the applicant or other individuals.

General policy - limitations

1. This is basically a one-time grant. (Exceptions may be authorized by the ESA Foundation Board.)
2. This is a grant for Individuals. (Exceptions may be authorized by the ESA Foundation Board.)
3. No checks will be issued directly to individual applicants, but will be sent to the facility presenting the workshop. (Exceptions may be authorized by the ESA Foundation Board.)
4. This grant does not cover personal costs such as food.
5. Out-of-country applicants must provide a source of verification of address of workshop/seminars/etc. for monies to be sent. (No monies will be sent directly to an individual.) This is in accordance with IRS requirements for maintaining nonprofit tax status.