The Autism Storytelling Project seeks young autistic people who aspire to tell authentic autistic stories through creative expression. The project is part of Rotary of San Jose’s Neurodiversity Empowerment Fund which was co-founded by an autistic college student, his grandfather, and a committee of other intergenerational leaders, all touched by neurodiversity in meaningful ways.

We intend to expand understanding and decrease harmful societal stigma about autism by elevating stories about the personal experiences of autistic young people (ages 16-25).

We award unrestricted grants of $2,500 - $5,000 to support the artists’ process. All forms of art and creative expression are welcome, but the story must focus on your lived experience as an autistic person, or on autism as a whole. While autism must be a key element, we welcome intersectional stories about how autism interacts with other identities.