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The Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account was created in 2005 after the death of Dan Thompson. Dan was an advocate, a Microsoft employee, and a person with a developmental disability. Read more about Dan's life.
The Dan Thompson Memorial Account has created innovative opportunities for more than 81,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live more independently in communities across Washington. Since its creation, the account has distributed approximately $45.7 million to community organizations providing community-based supports and services for eligible people with developmental disabilities.
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to seek recommendations from the Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) on how funds from the Dan Thompson Account are distributed. To support this work, the DDC created the Dan Thompson Advisory Committee to identify funding priorities and develop an application process. Council members and representatives help to guide the program by offering feedback, suggestions and reviewing proposals. During the 2025–2027 biennium, people with developmental disabilities and immediate family members made up 78% of the review committee.
You can find up-to-date information about applying for a grant, review the list of grant awardees, contact the DSHS team, sign up for email updates through GovDelivery, and more on the DSHS Dan Thompson Memorial Account webpage.
Dan Thompson Account awardees include community organizations and partners across Washington working to expand inclusive, community-based supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These projects help create more opportunities for independence, connection, accessible housing, skill-building and participation in everyday community life.
View the awardee list on the DSHS website
Courageous Connections, located in Snohomish County, received two grants from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account. Courageous Connections mission is to promote the physical and emotional development of people of all ages and unique abilities through safe, therapeutic, outdoor experiences with horses. They provide healing, learning and growing through experiences with horses.
During a recent site visit, DDA staff were able to tour the farm, meet the horses, and meet staff. Their programs offer participants, of all ages and abilities, a safe and unique opportunity to partner with horses while working from the ground. Their staff are CPR, first-aid, automated external defibrillator trained, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International certified and Trauma Informed Care skilled. From the very beginning their vision has included “the acquisition of a farm property that encourages interactions with nature where all are treated with kindness and respect.”
“This private/public grant is somewhat unique and would never have happened without the perseverance and hard work of our new friends at DSHS DDA, and the Commerce Department of Washington. Our most sincere thanks go to Addie, Joe, Heather, Tom, Nicole, Britany and almost surely some others that I have left out, for being so invested in seeing this project to completion for Courageous Connections,” reports Sue Eulau, board member and treasurer
Visit Courageous Connections Website
Clallam Mosaic received a grant from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account to purchase autonomous technology. Clallam Mosaic is in Port Angeles and Sequim. Their mission is to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They provide virtual and in-person programs, community engagement, host the county’s Parent to Parent program and serve as the Informing Families coordinator. The majority of those receiving services live below state/federal poverty levels.
During a recent site visit, DDA staff were able to participate in a portion of the day program at Clallam Mosaic. DDA engaged with participants, co-instructors, and the executive director. Participants shared the joy of partaking in the recent 4th of July parade with Clallam Mosaic. DDA staff also participated in day activities, such as chair yoga and bingo. Clallam Mosaic has many plans and would like to continue to grow and expand services. Their hope is to add a theater program in the winter since instructors and participants have expressed interest in doing this.
Clallam Mosaic will use the award funds to acquire iPads, MacBooks, a printer, and software applications for their lending library. They will provide coaching sessions with clients to utilize the technology. Additionally, Clallam Mosaic will use the grant funds to create a curriculum for their technology course and coaching sessions plus develop the policies and procedures for their lending library.
Executive Director Julia Montagnet shared “Clallam Mosaic is using their gift from the Dan Thompson fund to open avenues for education and self-expression through technology for people with developmental disabilities.” She expressed her gratitude for the grant and the opportunities it brings to expand services to the community.
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Outdoors for All Foundation received a Round 2 grant from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account to pay for staffing and operations at a new Adaptive Cycling Center at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah that will offer adaptive recreation opportunities. Outdoors for All Foundation has a cycling center in Seatle. Their mission is to enrich the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation
During a recent site visit, DDA staff discussed the project with staff member Morgan and volunteer Autumn, reviewed the inventory, and tried out a few adaptive bicycles on the paths surrounding the facility in the Lake Sammamish State Park
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Additionally, the Seatle Times featured an article about the launch of the Lake Sammamish Adaptive Cycling Center.
“Thank you again for your support of our mission and helping to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities in East King County,” stated Griffin Armour, Development Manager at Outdoors for All Foundation. “We’re incredibly pleased with how things are going so far!”
After much anticipation from the community, we're thrilled to announce the list of Round 3 Dan Thompson Account grant recipients! Please share this information far and wide so people can learn about new accessible opportunities in their area. Congratulations to the awardees and thank you to all who applied.
Read the full updateDSHS has received additional funding for the Dan Thompson grant program, allowing more applicants from the 2025 pool to be considered. Notifications are expected by June 1, 2026.
Read the full updateAward notifications for the Dan Thompson funding grant will be delayed to Nov. 3, 2025 due to the high volume of applications. Contracts are still expected to begin in January 2026.
Read the full updateMailing Address:
PO Box 48314
Olympia, WA 98504-8314
