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Dreams Come True is our primary program for helping families in desperate need access a life-changing assisted vacation experience. This page has details of the program and how a family can apply. Grants are only available to families in the United States and Canada.
At this time the grant applications are CLOSED. Families registered on our mailing list will be notified when applications are open.
Many families are fortunate that a vacation is an annual event to look forward to, or something that can be planned for and enjoyed as a special occasion. However, there are some for which a vacation is barely possible, perhaps even impossible. The costs of supporting a family member with a disability can run to tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket every year. Add to that the time commitment to a therapy schedule that prevents a parent from earning a salary. Compound that with special needs that mean a vacation becomes more stressful than staying at home and coping with life.
The Autism on the Seas Foundation strives to give these families the opportunity of a fully funded cruise vacation, using a staff-assistance program that has been operating successfully for over 15 years and helped thousands of others find family bonding, stress relief and respite care.
We aim to provide this experience to as many families in severe need as possible, while working within our funding restrictions. The more money we raise, the more families we can help. The Foundation follows a strict process to establish these grants, and we acknowledge that demand will always far outstrip the number of grants we can make in any year.
Our Foundation is based in the United States, and only families in the US and Canada are able to receive grants.
Step 1: Join our mailing list
The first step for a family interested in a Dreams Come True grant is to join our mailing list using the Registration Form (see below). Only families with neurodivergent individuals or with other disabilities should sign up.
Step 2: Receive an invitation to apply
When funds are available through the generosity of our donors, families on the mailing list are contacted with an invitation to apply. They submit their story for consideration together with the details of the vacation experience they are interested in. All applications go through a stringent review process.
Step 3: Foundation reviews all applications
Our Review Committee comprises members of our Board of Directors. They meet once a month to review valid applications received. The Committee is focused on helping families who are facing hardship or have experienced tragedy for which the grant will be most meaningful. Their objective is to help as many families in need as our funds allow.
Step 4: Making the Dream Come True
Once the Review Committee has approved a family for a grant, our operations team contacts the family with the good news and begins building their vacation experience with them. This includes an understanding of the accommodations that will be needed, cruise selection, transport logistics and everything else needed to make this a reality. With permission, the Team will follow the family's journey up to and during their vacation. Major supporters of the Foundation like to let families know the source of their grant; we allow the family to get in touch with the donor if they wish.
Want to join the mailing list?
Click the button below to be taken to the registration form. When a grant cycle opens, you will be contacted through the email address you provide with instructions how to complete an application. Be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions before joining the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question answered below? Email us at grants@aotsf.org
Who can apply for a Dreams Come True Grant?
Families with neurodivergent individuals or other disability, of any age, can apply for a grant. Grants are only available to families in the United States and Canada.
How do I apply?
Because of the extremely high demand for grants, we ask that an interested family first joins our mailing list. When our funds allow us to start a grant cycle, we contact families on the list with a link for them to apply for a grant.
How do I join the mailing list?
Click the button above and complete the registration form. You will get a confirmation email and may need to validate your email address to be sure you receive future communications.
I received an email stating that I am eligible to apply for a grant. What now?
First make sure you have understood everything on this webpage. If you have any questions, send an email to grants@aotsf.org. If you’re ready to apply, click the link in the email and complete the application form.
What types of vacation are available?
We focus on granting staff-assisted cruise vacations, in line with our mission statement. We have partnered with the industry leading provider of staff-assisted vacations - Autism on the Seas. You can view the types of vacations and their services on their website.
What are accepted “proof of diagnosis”?
We can accept a physician's diagnosis, or educational accommodations such as 504s or IEPs. These are uploaded together with your application form. Applications submitted without uploading a diagnosis will not be processed.
Are there any restrictions on who can join the vacation?
The vacation grant is limited to immediate family members - parents or caregivers and siblings of the person(s) with a disability. Other extended family or friends can travel at the same time; however, they will need to pay for their own vacation.
Does a family accepted for a grant have to pay anything for the vacation?
The Foundation will fund the cruise cost, standard gratuities, and travel to and from the departure port. Discretionary add-ons such as excursions, WiFi, specialty dining or drinks packages are not normally covered, though exceptions may be granted based on the grant approved.
Does the family have to meet financial or other criteria to be eligible for a grant?
No, The Foundation makes grants to families without regard to race, religion, gender, or economic status.
The application form asks me to “Tell My Story”. What should I write?
We receive hundreds of applications in every grant cycle. Our committee reviews every application and must decide which will receive a grant and which will not, so you are writing to them. Examples of cases they might champion are where life’s roadblocks have prevented a family ever taking a vacation, or there has been a tragedy or setback, but these are just examples – everyone's story is different. We will never share information provided on an application outside of the Foundation.
The application form asks that if I receive a vacation grant, will I allow the Foundation to follow my journey. What’s that about?
Reports of families enjoying their vacation are powerful messages to share with existing and future donors to the Foundation, helping us raise even more money and allowing us to help more families in need. Giving this permission is entirely optional and does not affect your chances of being selected for a grant.
Can a family receive more than one grant?
No, due to overwhelming demand, the Foundation can only grant a vacation once per family.
My application for a grant was unsuccessful, what can I do?
There are other organizations, some much larger than our Foundation, that also provide grants to families in need. We recommend any families that we are unable to assist find and apply to these organizations.