Dreams Come True Respite Grants
Our respite grants deliver essential emotional support, reduce caregiver burnout, and rebuild family bonding in a sensory-accommodating environment. Our grants are far more than financial assistance; they are a support system that provides reconnection and relief.
APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY CLOSED
Demand for our grants is always extremely high.
Don't miss the next opportunity to apply.
Join our grant alert list - be the first to know
Grant alerts are managed through our partner, Autism on the Seas, you will be redirected to their website.
Follow us on social media for additional updates
What is a Respite Grant?
Our Dreams Come True Respite Grants provide fully funded, professionally supported breaks for families with autism and other disabilities who otherwise could not access meaningful respite.
Relief
The professionally staffed respite program generates the trust needed for parents and caregivers to truly "let go". Guests with special needs receive support tailored to their specific needs.
Reconnection
Families are able to reconnect without the stress of daily routines, therapies and meltdowns.
Neurotypical siblings get greater airtime rather than a backseat.
Restoration
Parents and caregivers can return from vacation refreshed instead of exhausted. Families can carry forward treasured memories of new experiences that others often take for granted.
For many families, a getaway is something to look forward to each year—a chance to rest, reconnect, and create cherished memories. For families supporting a loved one with autism or complex developmental needs, true rest can feel financially and emotionally out of reach.
Through our Dreams Come True respite grants, we fund staff-assisted breaks using a proven, cruise ship-based program with nearly two decades of success. Our grants surround families with credentialed special-needs professionals. This unique support system alleviates continuous caregiver stress, fosters safe sensory inclusion, and restores vital emotional well-being and family bonding.
Typically, the respite grant will cover:
-
Staff-assisted vacations services
-
Cruise fares
-
Transportation to and from the port
-
Pre-cruise hotel when required
-
Travel insurance
Knowing how overwhelmed our families are by daily care management, our team handles every aspect of the planning process—direct booking of cruises, flights, ground transportation, and hotels, alongside step-by-step guidance on what to expect during their trip.
The Autism on the Seas Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit currently awarding respite grants to families residing in the United States and Canada.