Grant Applications
& Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California. Our mission is to provide lifesaving and life-enriching assistance to organizations and families which serve children with special needs in Southern California. Our primary goal is to provide support wherever the need is the greatest. Please read the grant guidelines and applications carefully to ensure that your mission is aligned with Variety’s funding initiatives.
For Organizations:
Grant Application
We review grant requests from 501(c)3 non-profits whose mission is to support children with special needs in the areas of Health Care, Education and Mobility. Your funding request should be program specific for children in Southern California ages birth to 18.
Fill out Grant Application form »
Grant Impact Report
Variety’s Grant Impact Form is intended to encourage grantees to report on the programs/services that have received funding so that lessons learned can enable Variety to evaluate the impact of its funding.
Variety Sunshine Coach Program
In Southern California alone, over 250 Sunshine coaches transport children to medical treatment, therapy, education and recreation. Eligible 501(c)3 children’s organizations can download the Sunshine Coach application below.
For Families/Individuals:
Compassion Grant Program Application
Variety SoCal is committed to supporting children and families in our community through direct assistance that meets their most urgent needs. Our Compassion Grants provide financial support in three key areas:
1. Health Care
For children in need of medical treatments, therapies, equipment, or supplies not fully covered by insurance or other resources. This may include doctor visits, medications, hospital bills, mental health services, or specialized care that ensures a child’s well-being.
2. Education
For children who require assistance to access quality learning opportunities. This may include tutoring, school supplies, technology, educational programs, or tuition support to help a child reach their full academic potential.
3. Mobility
For children who need adaptive equipment or resources that increase independence, accessibility, and inclusion. This may include wheelchairs, walkers, customized bikes, lifts, or modifications that improve a child’s ability to move, explore, and fully participate in daily life. *If this applies to you, please fill out the Mobility Program Application.*
Fill out Compassion Grant application >>
Variety Kids On The Go! Mobility Program
Bike rides, beach days, trips to the park – these are all staples of childhood that kids with disabilities want to experience. They want to be active and mobile like other children in their communities.
But the durable medical equipment necessary to give these kids the independence they desire is often too expensive for many families, especially those with a low household income or too many other expenses necessary for raising a child with special needs. And insurance isn’t always the answer – in many cases, devices like adaptive bikes and special needs strollers are denied, despite their immense physical and therapeutic benefits, because insurance doesn’t consider them to be necessary items. Even wheelchairs can take up to two years to be funded by insurance.
This is where Variety steps in. Variety Kids on the Go! aims to help kids gain mobility, confidence, freedom, independence and the chance to join in the life of their community by providing funding for walkers, wheelchairs, specially-designed adaptive bikes, therapeutic strollers, prosthetic limbs and other devices to families with the most need.