Outstanding Foundation Award Sponsored by Plante Moran. The Outstanding Foundation Award is presented to a private foundation that demonstrates outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement.
In 2015, the Ted Lindsay Foundation (TLF) gave $30,000 to Oakland University's Center for Autism Outreach Services (OUCARES) to develop and enhance programs for people with autism. OUCARES is an important resource to the Southeastern Michigan community as the number of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to grow at an alarming rate. Current estimates suggest that one in 59 children will be diagnosed with autism. OUCARES strives to improve quality of life for individuals with ASD, their families, and the community by providing quality and comprehensive programming including camps, events, employment skills training, social skill-building programming, and more. Each year, these programs and service impact over 2,300 individuals in Oakland County and the surrounding region.
In 2018, TLF pledged $1 million to OUCARES to further fund teenage and adult autism programming. In recognition of this gift, OUCARES was renamed the Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services. With the most recent gift from the Ted Lindsay Foundation, OUCARES programming will reach many more people in the coming years and create more impactful programming and experiences from teenagers and adults living with ASD. The gift will specifically grow both employment-readiness and computer skills training, as well as expanding social programs to women with autism and people with special interest like robotics, photography, or gaming. Funds will also enhance programming for parents and caregivers of people with autism, allowing for specialized trainings and expert presentations. For Oakland University, the gift from the Ted Lindsay Foundation is making a transformational difference in providing life-changing programming and services for individuals, families, caregivers, and educators impacted by ASD. The power of this gift will impact our community and our region form many, many years to come.
In 2016, a $1 million gift to Beaumont created the Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE (Hands-On Parent Education) Center. The creation of this center brought together under one roof key services for children and families impacted by ASD and other developmental disorders, better facilitating partnerships between specialists and encouraging a family-focused approached to treatment. Support from the foundation also provided electronic tablets and netbooks for children who cannot communicate verbally and offers need-based scholarships to ease the cost of treatment.
Elevating public awareness regarding the need for increased funding and support for individuals with autism is the mission of the Ted Lindsay Foundation and the longtime passion of the founder Ted Lindsay, who has passed away on March 4. Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has contributed $3.4 million to support autism research and educational programs throughout our communities.
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Past Outstanding Foundation Awards Winners:
2018 - William Davidson Foundation
2017 - Ilitch Charities
2016 - Ford Foundation