ASCV Holiday Giving Tree

We believe every family deserves a special holiday season. ASCV’s Holiday Giving Tree program supports our local autism community by providing financial assistance for holidays meals and gifts, easing financial burden so that our families can focus on time spent connecting with their loved ones.

Our Holiday Giving Tree program provides financial assistance of up to $150 for meals and gifts to members of our local autism community who need financial help to make purchasing holiday meal, necessities, and/or gifts possible.  Families can apply for each autistic individual within a household, and autistic adults are invited to apply too.

Please see below for a complete list of eligibility requirements as well as details regarding the application process. 

*IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR 2024: This year, funds will be MAILED directly to recipients in the form of a check.  

Individuals and families may apply for both Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday Funds, but please keep in mind that the number of awards and award amounts are based on the total number of applications received and amount of funding available. 

2024 Application Timeline

  • The application for Thanksgiving Assistance is now closed. Our scholarship committee is reviewing all submitted applications this week.
  • Applications for Winter Holiday Assistance will open here on Monday, November 4.

Stay tuned to our newsletter, social media, and this page for announcements

Eligibility Requirements & Application Process

Eligibility Requirements
  • Autistic adults and parent(s)/legal guardians who are the primary caregiver of an individual with autism are eligible to apply for this program.
  • For households with multiple autistic individuals, an application may be submitted for each autistic individual in the household.
  • Applicants must provide documentation of an autism diagnosis (examples include an autism evaluation report, IEP, etc.)
  • Applicants must reside within ASCV’s service territory (Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Amelia, Dinwiddie, Goochland, King William, Louisa, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George; and the cities of Richmond, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and Petersburg)

Please note:  Applicants for funding through this program may be receiving other federal, state or local benefits and services. Because financial eligibility for programs varies greatly, funding paid directly to the individual or to a representative on the individual’s behalf may be counted as “unearned income” and could impact program eligibility. It is up to the individual to confirm this with any other program through which they may be receiving support.

Application Process
  • Once an application cycle opens, applicants will complete an online application via Google Forms. If you are applying for multiple autistic individuals in a household, please complete a separate application for each person. 
  • Once an application cycle has closed, all applications will receive an initial review to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.
  • All applications meeting the eligibility requirements will be further reviewed by our scholarship committee. 
  • All applicants will receive an email notification regarding the outcome of their funding request. 
  • The number of applications awarded and the amount of each award will be based on the total number of applications received and amount of funds available. 
  • *IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR 2024: This year, funds will be MAILED directly to recipients in the form of a check.  

If you need assistance completing your application and/or have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Award Amounts
  • Applicants meeting the eligibility requirements are eligible for up to $150 in financial assistance. 
  • Exact award amounts and number of applications awarded will be based on the total number of applications received and the amount of funding availabile. 
  • Partial grants could be awarded
  • We appreciate your understanding as there is a high demand for this program each year and limited funding available. 

Support the Holiday Giving Tree

Help make spirits bright for our local autism community this holiday season. You can help us fill this urgent need by making a gift to the ASCV today. To restrict your funds to only be used for the Holiday Giving Tree Program, please include a note with your donation. 

Donations can also be mailed to:

Autism Society of Central Virginia
 8730 Stony Point Pkwy, Ste 150
Richmond, VA 23235.

All donations are tax deductible. Our EIN is 46-1250829.