Olam’s Piggybank Grant Program
Thanks to a generous grant from The Swan Foundation, the NODCC provides bi-annual grants to families and individuals who need assistive devices and technologies. Grant applicants must be impacted by disorders of the corpus callosum.
General Information
Important Dates
Olam’s Piggybank Grants are made according to the following schedule:
Winter Cycle
Open Application Period
October 1 to October 31
Families to be Notified By
December 1
Summer Cycle
Open Application Period
May 1 to May 31
Families to be Notified By
July 1 or at the Biennial NODCC Conference
What Qualifies as an Assistive Device or Technology?
We define “assistive devices and technologies” broadly to include anything that improves the quality of life for individuals with callosal disorders. This may include, but is not limited to:
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Assistive software & apps:Tools that aid communication, learning, or daily tasks
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Feeding aids: Adaptive utensils or devices that support independent eating
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Mobility aids: Equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, or braces
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Audio & visual aids: Devices that enhance hearing or vision
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Educational technology: Tools that support learning and skill development Final eligibility for funding is determined by NODCC. If you’re unsure whether an item qualifies, feel free to reach out!
Non-Eligible Items
- QServices
- QTherapy
- QMobile Phones, Tablets (such as iPads), laptops and desktops unless the supplier locks it into a single application.
- QService Animals or Accessories for Service Animals
Grant Criteria
How Olam’s Piggy Bank Grants Are Awarded
A special committee carefully reviews all grant applications and selects recipients. To ensure fairness, applications are reviewed anonymously, without identifying information.
- Grant Amount & Availability – The total funding for each semi-annual cycle is $2,500, with the number and size of grants determined by the applications received.
- Final Decisions – All grant decisions are final once awarded.
- One-Time Grants – Requests for multi-year funding or endowments are not accepted.
Our goal is to distribute funds where they will have the greatest impact. If you have any questions about the application process, feel free to reach out!
The committee will review the following factors when considering whether to approve a grant request:
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Completion of the Grant Application Form: To be considered for a grant, applications must be fully completed. Unfortunately, we cannot review partially filled-out forms. If you need help with your application, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to assist!
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Amount of Grant Request: Grants are expected to range between $200.00 and $1,000.00.
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Household Income: While there is no income cap, the applications of lower-income families will be strongly considered.
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Potential Benefit of Assistive Devices and Technologies: The grant’s mission is to fund the effective use of assistive devices and technologies that will better the lives of families in need who are impacted by disorders of the corpus callosum.
The Inspiration for Olam’s Piggybank Grants: Never Giving Up
The inspiration for Olam’s Piggybank Grants is a boy named Olam (pronounced ō-lŏm). Olam and his twin sister, Eliana, were born in October 2006. The twins’ parents soon realized that Olam was delayed in his developmental milestones but had no idea why. One week shy of his first birthday, a febrile seizure landed Olam in the intensive care unit. When the medical professionals performed an MRI at the hospital, Olam’s parents learned that he had a disorder of the corpus callosum.
Olam’s parents were told that he might not walk or communicate. But they never gave up. The family’s philosophy for Olam has been to provide him with every opportunity so that he can lead a typical life. Olam was significantly delayed in walking. But he never gave up. He started crawling at age three; he used a walker a year later; and by the time he was five-years-old he was walking on his own.
Unfortunately, Olam still isn’t talking, his fine motor skills are lacking, and he also has difficulty regulating his body temperature. But Olam and his family have not given up, and assistive technology helps Olam and his family in their battle against these challenges.
While he cannot yet speak, Olam communicates very well. He often uses an app called TouchChat, which talks for him. As a result, he can now interact better with friends, teachers, and family. Due to fine-motor deficiencies, Olam finds it difficult to use a spoon. Fortunately, Olam’s family found a “robo” spoon that remains level no matter how Olam twists, turns or angles it. Olam now feeds himself.
Because of Olam’s difficulties in regulating body temperature, his family had to limit family excursions during the summer months. He could only be outside for a short time before he overheated and risked a seizure. Online, Olam’s family found a cooling vest that Olam wears under his shirt that suppresses his core temperature. Olam’s family now spends fun family days at the zoo or an amusement park without worrying that he will overheat.
The effective use of assistive devices and technology inspired the creation of Olam’s Piggybank Grants. Olam’s Piggybank Grants are designed to help families in need—families who require assistive devices and technologies that will enhance the life of a loved one—families who steadfastly refuse to give up in the face of real challenges posed by a callosal disorder.
FAQs
Does my family have too much household income to qualify for a grant?
We put significant emphasis on income when making grant decisions, but we also realize that one’s family situation is not always explained by a number. This is why we ask for a description of family situation in the application. Families with annual household incomes below $75,000 will be considered first, but we do not automatically disqualify applicants because of incomes of $75,000 or more.
Will I need to provide the NODCC with documentation about my income?
I have multiple children with callosal disorders. Do I need to submit multiple grant applications?
Can I request more than one item per individual?
Will I need to provide the NODCC with documentation as to the price of the assistive devices and technologies I am requesting?
Can I fax or email the grant application to you?
Not at this time. The application is completed online by filling out the form above.