Invest in access and opportunity

Disability Resource Advisors is seeking $256,000 over two years to expand scholarships, leadership development, advocacy, staffing, operations, and fundraising capacity.

Sponsor DRA today Explore the impact

A man speaks into a microphone while displaying a smartphone in a public chamber, accompanied by two women.

The need is clear

People with disabilities in Georgia are talented, driven, and ready to lead.

But employment gaps, educational inequities, and economic barriers make it harder to get there. These are not personal shortcomings. They are systemic challenges that show up in the data every single year.

22.7%: Employment rate for people with disabilities, versus 65.5% for those without.
1 in 4: Working-age adults with disabilities living in poverty, twice the rate of their peers.
2x: Higher dropout rate for students with disabilities than for their classmates.
10%: Nonprofit leaders who identify as having a disability, leaving perspectives underrepresented.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey; U.S. Department of Education, NCES; and Building Movement Project.

That is the gap DRA was created to fill. We walk alongside individuals with disabilities as they move from basic independence to thriving careers, homeownership, civic leadership, and lasting community impact. The talent has always been there — we make sure nothing stands in its way.

Our approach

Lived experience and research, building disabled leaders

DRA is different because our team and board have experienced what our participants live. We pair that first-hand perspective with proven research. That combination empowers us to build a pipeline of leaders that contribute in powerful ways at school, work, and in the community.

Lived experience

Our team and board have lived what our participants are going through, grounding every program in firsthand perspective.

Research-backed

We pair that perspective with insights from the VIA Institute on Character and positive psychology.

A pipeline you can trust

Leaders businesses and communities can depend on to move things forward — an investment in the whole journey.

Every program and decision we make is guided by our five core values.

Programs

Three programs. Real results.

AccessED

Cultivating academic and career success

With new funding: grow from two AccessED scholarships to 10 scholarships and two school-district partnerships.

InPower

Developing dynamic leaders

With new funding: train 120 emerging leaders through InPower cohorts across Georgia, building toward broader reach throughout the South.

InAction

Advocating for equity and access

With new funding: secure annual proclamations and two new community partnerships.

AccessED

Cultivating academic and career success

Too many young people with disabilities never get to pursue higher education or career training because of financial and logistical barriers. AccessED changes that. We provide transition-age youth (ages 14 to 22) with the support and resources they need to take that next step with confidence.

IMPACT We've awarded two AccessED scholarships. Our first was a $300 scholarship awarded to Jennifer in 2025, and the difference it made was immediate. She put it simply:

“It's not easy to pay for college as a mom with three kids. This scholarship helped me a lot because I was so worried about tuition. I am grateful I was able to receive it.”— Jennifer, AccessED Scholarship Recipient

InPower

Developing dynamic leaders

Leadership is not reserved for a select few. InPower is a hybrid workforce and leadership development program that equips individuals with disabilities with the skills, confidence, and strategic thinking they need to advance in any career.

IMPACT More than 60 individuals have participated in InPower sessions. Here is what Briana T. had to say:

Briana T. wearing dark glasses and a green floral dress, smiling while seated in a wheelchair.

“I learned a lot about investing from attending the Power Moves session. It really was great information presented in a short time frame.”— Briana T., InPower Participant

InAction

Advocating for equity and access

Advocacy is how we make sure the work lasts beyond our programs. Through public education and policy engagement, InAction amplifies the voices of the disability community at every level of local and regional leadership.

IMPACT

In 2024, DRA received an official proclamation from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners honoring Braille Education Awareness Day. In 2025, we received a second proclamation recognizing Deafblind Access and Opportunity Week. This is what advocacy looks like in action.

Disability advocates and Fulton County officials gather in the commission chamber for a proclamation ceremony. — Fulton County Board of Commissioners proclamation ceremony

Looking ahead

Our goals for the next two years

Rooted in Georgia and building toward broader impact across the South.

With two years of investment, DRA will move from an early proof of concept to sustained, measurable impact across education, leadership, and advocacy — advancing a focused set of clear, achievable goals.

AccessED

Award 10 AccessED scholarships of $1,000 and establish two school district partnerships in metropolitan Atlanta to expand college and vocational readiness opportunities for students with disabilities.

InPower

Train 120 learners through InPower, building leadership, career advancement, and financial capability skills.

InAction

Secure an annual proclamation for an awareness initiative and establish partnerships with two community organizations to expand disability inclusion outreach to the broader public.

Budget

Your investment. Maximum impact.

Since 2023, DRA has proven that people with disabilities thrive with the right support. This two-year budget sustains and expands our programs, strengthens infrastructure, and builds fundraising capacity across 2026 and 2027.

DRA two-year program and operations budget
Program / area	Two-year budget	What it funds
AccessED (Education)	$20,000	Scholarships, educational materials, student supports, and school partnership outreach over two years
InPower (Leadership)	$28,000	Facilitators, expert speakers, digital learning platform, curriculum, and service project supplies
InAction (Advocacy)	$12,000	Public education campaigns, advocacy events, accessibility materials, and community engagement
Part-Time Executive Director	$80,000	Strategic leadership, program oversight, partnerships, and board engagement across two years
Part-Time Administrative Assistant	$42,000	Scheduling, database support, finance coordination, reporting, and day-to-day operations
Part-Time Fundraising Manager	$56,000	Campaign planning, sponsor cultivation, grant coordination, stewardship, and fundraising communications
Operations & Technology	$18,000	Insurance, accounting, CRM, email marketing software, and core administrative systems
Total	$256,000	A two-year investment to sustain programs, strengthen operations, and build fundraising capacity

This investment does more than fund individual programs — it builds the staffing, systems, and fundraising capacity DRA needs to sustain programs, grow partnerships, and serve more people with disabilities over time.

Sponsorship opportunities

Every sponsorship moves the work forward. Sponsor recognition is based on sponsorship level and may include public acknowledgment, event visibility, and promotional opportunities that show the community who is investing in disability leadership and access.

Advocate

$250

Provides accessibility supports and materials

Social media recognition: Included
Logo placement on DRA website: —
Logo placement on event materials: —
Logo placement in marketing emails: —

Sponsor as Advocate

Leader

$1,000

Funds one AccessED scholarship

Social media recognition: Included
Logo placement on DRA website: 3 months
Logo placement on event materials: 3 months
Logo placement in marketing emails: —

Sponsor as Leader

Innovator

$2,500

Expands leadership programming across Georgia and the South

Social media recognition: Included
Logo placement on DRA website: 6 months
Logo placement on event materials: 6 months
Logo placement in marketing emails: —

Sponsor as Innovator

Trailblazer

$5,000

Grows advocacy and community partnerships

Social media recognition: Included
Logo placement on DRA website: 12 months
Logo placement on event materials: 12 months
Logo placement in marketing emails: 12 months

Sponsor as Trailblazer

Join us

DRA proves that when communities invest in people with disabilities, everyone benefits. This proposal is an invitation to stand with students preparing for what comes next, adults building leadership and financial confidence, and advocates working to make communities across Georgia and the South more accessible for all. Whether you sponsor as an Advocate, Leader, Innovator, or Trailblazer, your support fuels opportunity, strengthens our programs, and helps move lasting change forward.

Invest in access and opportunity today

Your sponsorship empowers the next generation of leaders. Sponsor us today at givebutter.com/sponsor-dra, or contact us to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Sponsor DRA today