Dorothy E. Ann Fund (D.E.A.F.) Grants

Focus: Support to central Ohio schools and nonprofit organizations serving children and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Deadline and Process:

• Applications are due December 15. 
• Applications are accepted online and are available one month before the deadline. To see more about deadlines visit our Deadlines page. 
• The D.E.A.F. Advisors review applications and make grant awards in January.
• Organizations receiving a grant are invited to attend a November meeting to present a progress report on the funded project or program. Handouts and PowerPoint presentations are appreciated but not required. 
• Because we appreciate hearing the outcomes of grant-funded activities via a final report, on June 1 the year following your grant approval, grantees are asked to submit a final report, using this link: D.E.A.F. Final Report.

Focus: Mini-grants to support teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Deadline and Process:

• Applications are due March 15, May 15, October 15, December 15. 
• Application can be accessed here and sent to Lee Pepper.
• The D.E.A.F. Advisors review applications and make grant awards within six to eight weeks of each deadline. 
• Because we appreciate hearing the outcomes of your grant-funded activities via a Final Report, due at the conclusion of the project, using this link: D.E.A.F. Teacher Mini-Grant Final Report.

Focus: Mini-grants to support teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing purchase technology to support literacy development.

Deadline and Process:

• Applications are due December 15.
• Application can be accessed here and sent to Lee Pepper.
• The D.E.A.F. Advisors review applications and make grant awards in January.
• Because we appreciate hearing the outcomes of your grant-funded activities via a Final Report, due at the conclusion of the project, using this link: D.E.A.F. Technology That Supports Literacy Final Report.

Focus: To support central Ohio students who are deaf or hard of hearing pursuing full-time post-secondary education. 

Eligibility:

• Graduates of high schools in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, or Union counties;
• Substantial hearing loss;
• Strong academic record, financial need, and good character.

Deadline and Process:

• Applications are due March 1.
• Attendance at a scholarship interview in late April. 
• Scholarships are announced soon after the interviews.
• Learn more and apply here.

For general questions, please contact Lee Pepper. 

For scholarship questions, please contact Alicia Szempruch.