DRAFT

The mission of The Able Trust is to be a key leader in providing opportunities for successful employment for Floridians with disabilities.

The organization was created by the state legislature in 1990 as the Florida Endowment for Vocational Rehabilitation, as a direct supporter of vocational rehabilitation efforts by state agencies and community organizations. Operating under the dba of The Able Trust, the organization has helped to put thousands of individuals with disabilities to work, and has supported employment-related efforts in all counties of Florida.

In 2022 The Able Trust launched its latest strategic plan, the aim of which is to make real impact through support of Florida’s Vocational Rehabilitation system. The Able Trust realizes that a true collaboration and a solid working relationship between disability employment service providers and Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is necessary for successful employment outcomes.

Grant Program Mission and Scope

Most of our partners know The Able Trust for our history of grantmaking for direct services. Although this work has been extremely valuable, our vision has shifted to investing in capacity building. We believe that one of the most important things we can do is encourage and support disability employment service providers. Moving forward, we envision our grant making as a vehicle to grow the capacity of employment service providers through facilitating collaboration, professional development, and education opportunities. Our investments in supporting local collaborative efforts will be central to our mission of supporting the Vocational Rehabilitation system.

Grant Opportunity: Impact Grant

Applicant and partner organizations for Impact Grants must be approved, recognized vendors of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Impact Grant is a $25,000 opportunity to support the development of a collaborative effort between disability service providers and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) staff to respond to the needs of employers in their community. Additionally, the grant also includes scholarships and travel reimbursements for staff members to participate in a two-day professional development for employment services staff (job developers, job coaches, employment services, etc). Representatives from partners listed in grant application will be required to attend the professional development.

The intent of the grant is to provide capacity building support that supports the development of a working group among disability employment providers and DVR staff address the issue of disability employment in their community through collective impact

The goal of this grant in not employment outcomes, but rather the construction of relationships that supports employment of people with disability over the long-term. It is expected that best practices and hurdles be identified so the model can be replicated in other communities in Florida.