Ben’s Fund Grants Help Autistic Children and Young Adults Live Their Fullest Lives
November 10, 2025
By Traci Schneider, Co-Founder of Ben’s Fund, and John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks President of Football Operations and General Manager
Seattle Seahawks President of Football Operations/General Manager John Schneider, Ben Schneider and Traci Schneider hosted the annual event “Prime Time,” which raises funds for Ben’s Fund. The event was held at Lumen Field on April 17, 2025.
Ben’s Fund grants are an incredible resources for autistic children and young adults across Washington state. Co-founder Traci Schneider, wife of Seattle Seahawks President of Football Operations and General Manager John Schneider, shares how their family’s own journey inspired them to create Ben’s Fund as a way to support other families with a child on the spectrum.
When we lived in Green Bay shortly after our son Ben was diagnosed, I started volunteering at a non-profit and began meeting other parents who had children with autism. Getting to know them and their stories, I saw families waiting for financial support to get the help that their child needed. John and I were fortunate enough that we could adjust our spending so we could get Ben the services, therapies and support that he needed. Seeing other families not able to do that broke our hearts. That is where the idea for Ben’s Fund started. I knew that when we could do something to help others, I wanted us to support the families directly with what they needed at that part of their journey. Parents do know best what would help their child.
Ben’s Fund was founded in 2012. The fund was established in honor of Ben. The intent of Ben’s Fund, in partnership with Seattle Foundation, is to provide financial support and hope to children and young adults in the state of Washington who have autism.
Ben’s Fund provides funds to families in need to help cover costs associated with medical bills, therapies and numerous other aspects of supporting a child or young adult on the autism spectrum. Applicants can request a yearly grant to help cover the costs to get the care, support and items they need to become all they can be.
Helping Families Know They’re Not Alone
Along with financial support, we have created a community of encouragement, hope, awareness and understanding. Having autism in your family can be very lonely and isolating. We want parents to know that they are not alone! Sharing our story can help others and that is what Ben’s Fund is about. Supporting each other. We are grateful for the autism community and all the providers in the state of Washington for supporting all of those with autism, including Seattle Children’s Autism Center. Providers are so helpful to connect those families with Ben’s Fund to help us help so many.
All the stories from families are so touching. I read every one of the completed application family stories. Sometimes they are very difficult for me to read as they bring me back to the younger years when life was so incredibly challenging.
When families reapply for the grant, I do love hearing updates on how their kiddo is doing and how the grant has helped them the previous year. Being a small part of the growth and support of so many children and young adults is incredible. This is exactly what John and I envisioned when we started to think about how we wanted to give back to others. It is a blessing to see it all happening.
We have awarded almost 4,000 grants since Ben’s Fund began. That is more than $3,183,000. Our most common requests from the grants are iPads, therapies, therapeutic equipment, services, safety equipment and camps.
Creating Sensory Supports in Our Community
Being at Lumen Field is loud, and just a lot! From the anticipation of going to the stadium, to driving there in traffic, finding a parking spot, going through security, scanning your tickets and finding your seat. This is all before the game actually starts! Creating Ben’s Sensory Room inside the stadium was such a passion project for me to help make our games more accessible to those who need some sensory support. We wanted to make it so much more inclusive to anyone with autism as well as all who have sensory challenges. In 2014 we also started offering sensory kits with toys and noise-canceling headphones to those who need them. Again, making the games possible for all to enjoy.
Applying to Ben’s Fund
Families interested in applying for the Ben’s Fund grant can find details on their website, including eligibility criteria, application guidelines and FAQs.