The Canadian National Autism Foundation is dedicated to providing funding for Canadian based Autism research, as well as to organizations that better the lives of individuals with autism.

Are you running a research study, or do you support individuals with autism (a group, camp or facility)? We do not allocate out funding for individuals or individual families.

Download a grant application, and we will review your request.

Requests must be received by December 31 of the year that you are reading this, to be considered for disbursements made in April of the following year (each year).

Grant Application

Disbursements to Date.. $347,558.03 as of June 2023

2023

~$2,500.00 to BC & Alberta Guide Dogs for training Autism Service Dogs

~$3,000.00 to Ottawa Chamberfest was given $3,000.00 grant for sensory friendly adapted performances for autistic individuals                     

~$2,125.00 to Triple C Farm for March Break Camp for families to have a financial break. Funded 10 families.                        

~$3,000.00 to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. There`s $1,500.00 for Charlottetown, PEI. And $1,500.00 will be given to Halifax, Nova Scotia for Autism Service Dogs. 

2022

~$1,000.00 to Hamilton, Ontario to the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs for the Autism Assistance Dog Guides Program to help a family with a guide dog for someone with autism.

~ $1,000.00 to Kawartha, Ontario area to the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs for the Autism Assistance Dog Guides Program to help a family with a guide dog for someone with autism.

Lions Club Guide Dogs Thank You Letter

~ $2,100.00 to Ottawa Chamberfest for the Sensory Friendly Concerts for accessible enviroment, sensory consideration Acknowledgement Letter

2021

~$1,100.00 to Prince Edward Island the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs for the Autism Assistance Dog Guides Program to help a family with a guide dog for someone with autism.

~ $1,100.00 to Nova Scotia for the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs for the Autism Assistance Dog Guides Program to help a family with a guide dog for someone with autism.

~ $1,100.00 to New Brunswick for the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs for the Autism Assistance Dog Guides Program to help a family with a guide dog for someone with autism.

This is the Thank You letter showing that we allocated out funds to all 3 provinces listed above for 2021 Acknowledgement Letter

2020

~$1,500.00:Halton Police Badge Battle sponsorship page-(This was an early allocation in January)(we are a middle weight sponsor)We sponsored a table for this event. The money raised goes to Camp F.A.C.E.S which is for families of Emergency Services as it provides families who have suffered this tragic loss the opportunity to be with others who have experienced similar loss. Because many Emergency Services have children with autism we thought this wouold be perfect.

~ $1,400.00: British Columbia Guide Dogs Services we allocated out towards the Autism Service Dog Program, specifically the training activities throughout the year when an Autism Service Dog is ready to be matched up with a child with autism and their family. Here is the information that they sent us to where the money went THE DOGS

~$3,000.00: Dr Mel Rutherford from McMaster University we allocated $3,000.00 The Stimuli Project for the participants expenses. The goal is to develop a diagnostic instrument to reliably identify early markers in autism in the first year of life.

2019

~ $7,642.80: Family Resource Association British Columbia –(British Columbia) -An Adventure-This to accommodate 10 youth ages 12-18 of the ASD Spectrum for 2 week into the Summer Day Youth Adventure Camp. This is to help with socialization and have buddies, focus on social development, group cohesion and emotional regulation

~$4,000.00: National Arts Centre –(Ottawa, Ontario)Expansion of the Special Music Education with the Lotus Program. -NAC`s Music Circle programs which is run in collaboration with the Lotus Centre for Special Music Education, has been expanded to reach even more children and adults living with autism and other developmental challenges. Will expand even more now with this funding. Our foundation is mentioned on this page for the funds that we allocated out to the Autism Music Program

~$3,500.00:Proset Autism -(Quebec) 10 weekly tennis lessons for the Adaptive Tennis Program for children, teens & young adults -

~$5,000.00: Asperger’s Friendship Society of Calgary –(Calgary) Providing social & recreational opportunities to children, youth & young adults in the rural areas around Calgary.AAFS provides respite care in a social and recreational environment for children, youth and adults on the spectrum of Autism; this includes, but is not limited to, Autism, Aspergers, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder.

~$5,000.00: Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides- To be put towards the funding of a service dog for a family in PEI & Kitchener. Lions Foundation Update from our funding UPDATE

2018

~$7,000.00: Hamilton McMaster University- (Hamilton, Ontario)- For the continuation of the Autism Longitudinal Study at McMaster University by Dr. Mel Rutherford. To develop a diagnostic instrument to reliably identify early markers of autism in the first yyear of life. Initially, this project was a follow-up to the journal based case study published in the journal Neurocase (Rutherford 2005).Based on the information that was gathered this case study, he designed a longitudinal study to assess the development of children in their first year who may be at risk for autism.

~$7,000.00: Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides-(New Brunswick)- To be put towards the funding of a service dog for a family. Picture of the guide dog and the young man. Picture of a Service dog and thank you card from 2018 allocation

~ $4,500.00 : Family Resource Association- (British Columbia)- This to accommodate 10 youth ages 12-18 of the ASD Spectrum for 2 week into the Summer Day Youth Adventure Camp. This is to help with socialization and have buddies, focus on social development, group cohesion and emotional regulation

~$4,000.00: National Arts Center Foundation- (Ottawa, Ontario)-NAC`s Music Circle programs which is run in collaboration with the Lotus Centre for Special Music Education, has been expanded to reach even more children and adults living with autism and other developmental challenges. Will expand even more now with this funding. Our foundation is mentioned on this page for the funds that we allocated out to the Autism Music Program https://nac-cna.ca/en/foundation/supporters/donors-circle/directors-circle

~$2,000.00: Nadine Mercey Scholarship Fund – Educational Scholarship

2017

~ $2,500.00: Autism Service Dogs -partially fund on-going educational prepatory classes for parents and the children receiving the service dogs. Autism Service Dogs does Fostering the integration of children with autism by training, placing and supporting dogs that offer safety, companionship and independence.

~ $3,000.00: Portia Learning Centre- (Ottawa)Research of Parent-mediated intervention for the behaviour and development of infants at risk for autisdm spectrum disorder which will be an ongoing research project. This study is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Maurice Feldman at Brock University. Results to be presented at international conferences and Ontario Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference. The Portia Learning Centre offers a variety of Services for individuals of all ages. Our team of Behaviour Analysts, Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists and Physiotherapists are here to help you and your family.

~ $7,855.65: Family Resource Association- (British Columbia)- This to accomodate 10 youth ages 12-18 of the ASD Spectrum for 2 week into the Summer Day Youth Adventure Camp. This is to help with socialization and have buddies, focus on social development, group cohesion and emotional regulation. Also to transfer these learnings back into the home. They are a team of professionals who are dedicated to helping children, youth and families in the communities we serve. Their services are offered at no cost and can be accessed through self-referral as well as by referral from government and community agencies.

UPDATE CNAF summary report 2017 YAC scrapbook 2017

2016

~$2,000.00:NAC Foundation- National Arts Center- (Ottawa)Music workshops for those with autism-touch, listen, play.Music program in Ottawa is aiming to gently introduce kids with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome to live tunes.The Lotus Centre for Special Music Education teamed up with the National Arts Centre (NAC) to develop music workshops for six-to-12-year-olds with special needs and their parents. The approach that Liz and Erin take is tailor-made to autistic children or those with Asperger’s, some of whom may be fascinated by textures, whether tactile or sonic, and are keen to express their ideas, but find any kind of group “experience” almost impossible to tolerate.

A certain way of engaging with music -story (VIDEO)- A Musical experience for autistic children

~$2,000.00: Autism Aspergers Friendship Society of Calgary- Therapeutic Riding Lessons. AAFS provides respite care in a social and recreational environment for children, youth and adults on the spectrum of Autism; this includes, but is not limited to, Autism, Aspergers, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder.

~$2,300.00: Proset Autism (Quebec)Program onDevelopment i.e.: Eye Contact, Concentration skills, motor development, participation and motivation.

5 global skills

• Joint attention. We are working on eye-contact with their peers and coaches
• Concentration skills. Staying focused with the goal at hand i.e. hitting a forehand
• Motor development. Gross and Fine motor skills i.e. holding a ball on the racket
• Participation. Joining in a variety of games, that underscore team work
• Motivation. Identifying the strengths of the children skills and combining the reinforcement that each child needs to maintain their level of performance

~$5,734.58: Family Resource Association of British Columbia-Two weeks of summer camp for 8 youths ages 12-18 yrs of age. Therapeutic Camp- Mentorship and Socialize. FRP-BC supports Family Resource Programs in furthering their mandate to strengthen parenting and the healthy development of children within the context of the family.

The BC Association of Family Resource Programs promotes the Family Resource Program model as a community hub where both Canadian born families and those new to Canada can access family support, opportunities for engagement, and community resources. Passarello successfully submitted a grant application to the Canadian National Autism Foundation to fund the camp and that was the final piece of the puzzle required to move forward. She says when it all came together, the first day when they went outrigger canoeing to Newcastle Island inlet set a positive tone of team building and adventure that laid the groundwork for the rest of the camp.

~$3,000.00: Camp Kennebec- ( Ontario)- Partial Funding for 6 families- Daily Living Skills, activities, excursions daily balanced meals and so much more for kids & Teens and over night stays and more. Camp Kennebec, a wonderful summer camp for kids and teens with special needs, learning disabilities, and developmental delays including autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, OCD, brain injury, anxiety, social skill and other challenges.

2015

~$3,200.00: Camp Kennebec-(Ontario)To help with putting funding towards the purchase of some much needed equipment. Camp Kennebec, a wonderful summer camp for kids and teens with special needs, learning disabilities, and developmental delays including autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, OCD, brain injury, anxiety, social skill and other challenges.

~$5,000.00: Proset Autism -(Quebec) Our adaptive recreational program is designed for children and teenagers with Special Needs, diagnosed or expected to be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger, PDD-NOS, Down Syndrom, Global Developmental Delay, AD(H)D.
The purpose of this program is to enable these children and teenagers to have the opportunity to learn, improve and have fun with peers.

5 global skills

• Joint attention. We are working on eye-contact with their peers and coaches
• Concentration skills. Staying focused with the goal at hand i.e. hitting a forehand
• Motor development. Gross and Fine motor skills i.e. holding a ball on the racket
• Participation. Joining in a variety of games, that underscore team work
• Motivation. Identifying the strengths of the children skills and combining the reinforcement that each child needs to maintain their level of performance

~ $2,000.00 : NAC Foundation- National Arts Center- (Ottawa)-music program in Ottawa is aiming to gently introduce kids with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome to live tunes.The Lotus Centre for Special Music Education teamed up with the National Arts Centre (NAC) to develop music workshops for six-to-12-year-olds with special needs and their parents. The approach that Liz and Erin take is tailor-made to autistic children or those with Asperger’s, some of whom may be fascinated by textures, whether tactile or sonic, and are keen to express their ideas, but find any kind of group “experience” almost impossible to tolerate.

A certain way of engaging with music -story

(VIDEO)- A Musical experience for autistic children

~$500.00: International Naturally Autistic PeopleAwards -British Columbia. Sponsorship of someone with ASD for the Naturally Autistic Peoples Award

~$2,000.00: Red Roof Retreat- Niagara -on-the-Lake (Ontario)-The Adult Day Program for those with autism at Red Roof Retreat offers physical and personal care, social and emotional support, recreational and leisure activities, both at The Ranch and within the community, for young adults with special needs. Our staff members are trained in all aspects of care required for those with needs from mild to complex. Our programs can be intended for those requiring one-to-one support or those requiring one to 3 or one 6 ratio. Fees vary depending on level of care required. Canadian National Autism Foundation is listed as Major Sponsor at the bottom of the page.

~$2,000.00: First Nations Children and Youth Living with ASD and McMaster University’s Special Needs at Camp (www.marauders.ca/specialneeds ) summer camp sessions that provide one-to-one support. This funding is for approximately 4-5 families through First Nations children/youth & families living with ASD.McMaster camps strive to provide a fun and inclusive experience for all of our campers and work with families to help them achieve their goals while providing an integrated, enjoyable camp experience.
Our staff work with campers with a variety of needs and abilities,whether managing a chronic medical condition like diabetes, a return-to-play plan post-injury, or offering one-on-one support for a child needing extra care.

2014

~ $35,000: Hawkins Institute (Toronto, Ontario)e-learning dating on the ASD Spectrum To produce unique web-based e-learning programs for people on the autism spectrum. The new series which will be launched in 2015, will cover the topic of dating on the spectrum. As with the last series, this will employ people on the spectrum to work both in front and behind the camera.

~ $2,000:H.A.L.T.R- Halifax Area Leisure & Theraputic Riding .(Halifax, Nova Scotia) Funded kids from 7-14 to go to camp.This will help from 7-14 people on the asd spectrum for riding therapyThis organization offers riding to disabled members of our community. This group is run by volunteers as well, and is always in need of bodies to assist in the running of the program. It takes three volunteers to each rider in order that the rider is able to ride safely. Phone: 902-423-6723 (office) or 902-425-2258 (stable). Also part of the Web: http://www.bengallancers.com/. HALTR provides safe riding and driving programs for people with special needs. HALTR is a member of the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) and as such we have access to accreditation standards, competition, education, insurance coverage, liaisons with Sport Canada, with Equine Canada (we link in with their coaching certification) with the Federation of Riding for the Disabled International and with the Paralympic Equestrian Committee. The HALTR program is run entirely by volunteers, including the CanTRA certified instructors. Each year, HALTR typically logs up 290 rider and driver hours.

~ $2,000:Kids Matter Inc.-Summer Camp Programs .BC ( Abbotsford, British Columbia) Funded kids to go to camp from 4-8 yrs old This will help 4-8 on the asd spectrum ..Kidsmatter specialize in, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Integrated Listening Systems (iLs),Fast ForWord Program, Social Skills Groups, Supporting families and advocating for children..Spring & Summer CampsThis is a 1/2 day program for children with Autism or other Developmental Disabilities. By registering for one-week chunks, families have the flexibility to benefit from the Socials Skills programs and get away for family time. The summer camps provide the best of both worlds!

~$350.00: International Naturally Autistic PeopleAwards -British Columbia. Sponsorship of someone with ASD for the Naturally Autistic Peoples Award that is a Community Mentor

2013

~ $50,000.00 Hawkins Institute a unique web-based e-learning socialskills program for people on the spectrum 16 yrs. old and up that will not only serve as a learning tool, but will draw upon many talents of people with autism by employing them throughout the production.

~$3,000.00 Autism Connections Fredericton www.autismconnectionfredericton.org For 20 parents of youth/teens/young adults with Aspergers`s, PDD-NOS, and autism infinancial hardship to attend a 2 day Transitioning workshop in Fredericton, N.B. Pamela Crooke of Michelle Garcia Winner`s Social Thinking group brought in from the USA to deliver the workshop

~ $3,000.00 Autism Resource Centre Inc - Grand Opening of a new Adult Centre which educates the public and professional, raising awareness, advancing the understanding that adults with ASD require appropriate programs, services and supports to realize their full potential and informing the public, families and professionals and adults with ASD and families of the programs and services offered at the centre

2012

~$650.00 2012 International Naturally Autistic People Awards Convention and a Festival-ANCA Consulting Inc.

~$1,000.00 Sackville Bedford Early Intervention Program (Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia) www.sbeip.com

~$2,100.00 New Boundaries -(Windsor Nova Scotia) www.newboundaries.org

2011

~ $2,500.00  New Boundaries(Windsor Nova Scotia) www.newboundaries.org To create a Snoezelen Room at New Boundaries

    ~$2,500.00  Sackville Bedford Early Intervention Program (Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia) www.sbeip.com To expand and enhance their resource library as well as their sensory toy and equipment lending library

    ~$500.00    Dave Andreychuk Foundation Canada-

     The Dave Andreychuk Foundation has three GOALS:

    1.Assist children in need
    2.Support causes for children and families enduring chronic and/or life threatening illness

    3.Encourage the investment of youth and amateur sports

          2010

~ $1,500.00 Sackville Bedford Early Intervention Program- (Nova   Scotia) -  designed to service kids from birth to school age with a lending library school-  readiness programs and home visits

  ~ $5,000.00 SickKids Foundation (Toronto) Dr. Scherer - Genomic micro array screening Massively- parallel next generation sequencing (NGS) of ASD           susceptibility genes, and optical translation of genomic technology and information for ASD

 ~$6,500.00 York University -(Toronto) Jonathan A Weiss, PhD, CPsych - An Evaluation of Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Anxiety- expand and evaluate our group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) treatment for mood and anxiety in youth with ASD. An overview of the study that we funded.

 ~$1,000.00 Studio-Sans Limites Montreal- Autistic adults should have access to it as much as anyone else. Aside from the benefits rendered by the work formation programs to the autistic adults it will open doors to new research 

opportunities. Canadian National Autism Foundation (CNAF) has contributed financial help which is mentioned here; www.cnaf.net

~$500.00    Lion's Foundation of Canada Dog Guides -Lions Foundation of Canada mission is to assist Canadians with a medical or physical disability by

providing them Dog Guides at no cost. To do this,the Foundation operates Dog Guides Canada, a preeminent national training school and charity that assists individuals with disabilities through five specialized Dog Guide programs. These Dog Guides are provided at no cost to eligible Canadians from coast to coast. The Foundation relies on donations from individuals, service clubs, foundations and corporations and does not receive any government funding.

2009

~ $7000.00 Montreal Children's Hospital ~ Simons Simplex              Collection Study ~ Thirteen research sites across North America will collect DNA samples from families with on a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

~ $4000.00 The Children with Complex Needs Program (CCNP) Residence (Hamilton, ON) ~ will serve youth 12-18 years of age with dual diagnosis, to provide a therapeudic milieu for consistent respite and including the stabilization periods milieu for consistent respite and including the use of a Snoezelen Room.

  ~ $4000.00 Music Enhancement Program (MEP) through Blue Balloon ~ services for  children of all abilities.  The MEP program gives clients a chance to experience music therapy in conjunction with current therapy services.

2008

~ $7000.00 Hospital for Sick Children reasearch study "Roles and            Experiences of Mothers and Fathers of Children with                                   Autism" ~ led Dr. David Nicholas

~ $5000.00 Hospital for Sick Children ~ Autism Genome Project ~              lead by Dr. Stephen Scherer

~ $5000.00 McMaster University ~ Dr. Melissa Rutherford, PhD. ~ for continuation of the study Early Detection of Autism

~ $3000.00 The Autism Treatment Network at the Hospital for Sick Children ~ led by Dr. Wendy Roberts ~ it will be the first ATN site in Canada.

2007

~ $15 000.00 continuation of the study: Early Detection of Autism: a Longitudinal Study to Assess the Development of                                        Children in their First Year who may be at risk for Autism ~ McMaster University ~ Dr. Melissa Rutherford, PhD.

~ $12 000.00 Autism Genome Project ~ Canadian Autism          Intervention Research Network (CAIRN) ~ Offord Centre for Child Studies

2006

~ $10 000.00 Autism Genome Project ~ the Hospital for Sick Children

~ $5000.00 Early Detection of Autism: a Longitudinal Study to Assess the Development of Children in their First Year who may be at risk for Autism ~ McMaster University ~ Dr. Melissa Rutherford, PhD.

2005

~ $12 000.00 National Service Dogs - sponsorship of training of a dog for an individual with ASD (individual and province to be determined by the National Service Dogs organization)($4000.00 of this being directed towards University of  Guelph study ~ Evaluating the Benefits of Service Dogs for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder ~ research being done by Dr. Cindy L. Adams, MSW, PhD; Kristen E. Burrows, BSc  Read the Summary

~ $8000.00 Dr. Mel Rutherford ~ continuation of the Twin Autism Study based on a mother's detailed diaries

2004

~ $8000.00 National Research Council of Canada - Institute of Biodiagnostics ~ to support a research project called                                   "Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of High Functioning Children with Autism" Progress (2006) from the researcher Kristina Malisza

2003

~ $7500.00 Hospital for Sick Children - Autism Fund