Eagles Autism Challenge

About Eagles Autism Challenge

A $1.09 million grant to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia anchors Eagles Autism Challenge Inc.’s recent grantmaking and shows how heavily the funder leans into autism research at major institutions. The 2024 awards also include six-figure support for the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Let’s Work for Good Inc (popcorn for the People), and the University of Iowa, alongside additional research grants to hospitals and universities across the country. The foundation funds both early-stage and established autism spectrum disorder research, with grantmaking that reaches basic, clinical, translational, and interdisciplinary projects. It also supports post-doctoral training and community services for individuals with autism, including organizations serving underserved and non-English speaking communities. In the recent grants list, repeated support to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and awards to Drexel University and Community Behavioral Health show a mix of university-based research and local service work. The grant record suggests a funder that uses project-based awards to back scientific inquiry while also keeping a Philadelphia-area community funding stream. Recipients range from major medical centers to local nonprofits, all tied to autism spectrum disorder.

What Eagles Autism Challenge Funds

Autism research is the center of the foundation’s giving. In 2024, it awarded $800,000 to University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for autism research and $400,000 to the University of Iowa for the same purpose, showing support for large research institutions working on the disorder. It also backs translational and interdisciplinary work. A $400,000 grant to Boston Children’s Hospital Harvard Medical School was designated for autism research, and the same amount went to Lerner Research Institute Cleveland Clinic, indicating interest in projects that connect basic science and clinical application. Community-facing services appear in smaller awards. Community Behavioral Health (epic) received $25,000 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2024, both for autism research-related work in Philadelphia. The foundation also funded The Elwyn Foundation and Special Olympics PA at $25,000 each, pointing to support for organizations serving individuals with autism in the community.

How Eagles Autism Challenge Gives