Remainder Fund Grants of 2024
by Cici Gaynor, OSNT Program Director
When someone who has a first-party account with the Oregon Special Needs Trust dies, 50% of money left in their account stays in the trust. The Arc Oregon and OSNT use this money for grants. These support people with disabilities who do not otherwise have enough resources to meet their needs or reach their goals.
The current categories offered are:
- Accessibility Grant – up to $2,000
- Convention/Conference Grant – up to $1,000
- Final Expense Grant – up to $1,500
- Higher Education Grant – up to $1,500
- Legal Expense Grant – up to $2,500
More information is available on the OSNT website.
In 2024, a total of 32 grants were awarded totaling over $70,000!
- 26 accessibility grants, including items such as
- Wonderfold Wagons
- Special Needs Strollers
- Walmart Annual Membership for grocery delivery
- Backup camera for a wheelchair
- Laptop for appointments
- Adaptive 3-wheel bike
- Adjustable desk
- Service dog training
- Printer
- Stepstool
- iPad
- 2 Education Grants
- Books and Fees at Rogue Community College
- 9 months of weekly classes for a Performance Ensemble
- 1 Final Expense Grant
- Paid toward funeral expenses for an individual who had an OSNT account and passed suddenly
- 74 Conference/Convention Grants
- 3 for hotel to attend the Breaking Barriers Conference
- 1 for hotel to attend the Youth IDD/Mental Health Summit
- 70 for Self-Advocates to attend The Arc Oregon Self-Advocacy Convention
We want word to spread about our Grant Program. We’ll be able to help even more individuals by helping them access things that will increase their quality of life. It is always amazing to hear about how adaptive equipment, attending classes, or going to a conference have improved someone’s life. We all have the right to access our communities and have the opportunity to become more, whether that is through technology, education, adaptive equipment, or life skills.
To qualify for an individual grant, applicants must:
- be a resident of Oregon or a current OSNT sub-account holder;
- experience a disability as defined by 42 U.S.C. 1382c(a);
- demonstrate a financial need and an inability to purchase a disability-related item or service without grant assistance;
- provide documentation confirming other potential funding sources have been explored, including family contributions;
- have not been awarded a Remainder Fund Grant within the prior 12 months; and
- have not received more than $5,000 in remainder fund grants in their lifetime.
In addition to these requirements, each specific grant program may have other eligibility guidelines.
Please share this information with your friends, families, co-workers, and anyone else who you think might benefit from one of our grants! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions that you may have. We are here to help!