A Gala to Remember: Ripples to Waves

On October 17, the BroadFutures community gathered at the International Spy Museum for an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and impact!

From heartfelt alumni and parent speeches to the presentation of our Champion Awards to The World Bank Group and Raymond O. Caldwell, the evening was a beautiful reminder of the ripples we create together.

And now, we have even more to celebrate…

We have surpassed our Gala fundraising goal!

Thanks to our sponsors, guests, alumni, families, and friends, we have raised $322,475, exceeding our $316,035 goal!

Thank you for believing in neurodivergent young people and helping us build a more inclusive future of work.

And a huge thank you to Summer 2026 alum Trevour Jackson-Carpenter for serving as our event photographer!

Relieve the memories and watch the video recap here:

You Helped Us Finish the Wave!

Most importantly, our incredible community helped us cross the finish line! Together, you contributed $36,350 to our Scholarship Raise, surpassing our $30,000 goal and unlocking the full $30,000 matching gift to support scholarships for our 2027 DC programs.

Every gift helped build this wave of support, ensuring that financial need is never a barrier to participation. We received donations from all members of our community including, alumni, employers, parents, and friends.

To everyone who gave, spread the word, or cheered us on: thank you for making this possible!

We have met our goal, and there is still more work to do! Every additional gift and act of support helps us create more opportunities for neurodivergent young people. We are grateful to everyone who continues to carry this work forward.

BroadFutures at the Learning Differences Impact Summit

Our CEO and President, Carolyn Jeppsen, was thrilled to attend the Oak Foundation's Learning Differences Impact Summit last week! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with organizations that share BroadFutures' commitment to expanding opportunities for young people with learning differences. We are grateful for the conversations, connections, and shared ideas that will help move this important work forward.

Additionally…

Join Us at the College Autism Summit

BroadFutures is heading to Baltimore for the College Autism Summit! From November 9–11, team members Caitlin Garman and Sam Blum will connect with professionals, researchers, and students working to support neurodivergent students on campus and beyond.

We are excited to present alongside Saint Joseph’s University’s Kinney Center for Autism! Our session, From Campus to Career: Building Effective Partnerships that Expand Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Neurodivergent College Students, will highlight our partnership with the Kinney Center, including a case study featuring Winter 2026 Intern Xander.

Celebrating Neuroinclusive Workplaces

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize the talent and contributions of people with disabilities and reflect on how we can create workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Our employer partners are an essential part of that work. Through their partnerships with BroadFutures, they help create meaningful opportunities for neurodivergent young people while building more inclusive teams.

Here is what a few of our employer partners had to say about their experiences:

Thank you to our employer partners for helping turn opportunity into lasting impact!

Many Paths, Many Possibilities

October is also ADHD Awareness Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, and Gap Year Exploration Month. Each is an opportunity to recognize the different ways young people learn, grow, and explore what comes next.

At BroadFutures, we know there is no single path to success. Through paid internships, training, and mentorship, neurodivergent young people have the opportunity to build skills, discover their strengths, and take their next steps with confidence.

Here is what some of our interns shared about their experiences:

Upcoming Programs and Application Deadlines

Ready to take the next step? Applications are open for three upcoming BroadFutures programs designed to help neurodivergent young people build skills, confidence, and momentum toward their career goals.

Merck 2027 Summer Internships

Applications close November 5, 2026! Spend the summer interning with a global healthcare organization, with weekly support and coaching from BroadFutures.

January 2027 Success Summit

Applications close December 1, 2026! Start the new year with an intensive career-readiness experience focused on building the skills and confidence to navigate the workplace and prepare for what comes next.

Summer 2027 DC Internship Program

Applications close March 5, 2027! Gain hands-on experience through a paid internship alongside professional training and individualized mentoring and support.

Know a neurodivergent young person who could benefit? Help us spread the word by sharing these opportunities with them!

Join Us In Person for Our November Info Session!

Curious about our upcoming programs? Join us on Tuesday, November 17 from 12:00–1:00 PM ET for a special in-person information session at BroadFutures HQ. Meet our team, learn about our internship programs and Success Summit, and bring your questions about finding the right BroadFutures opportunity for you.

Cannot make it to our office? We will also stream the session live on Zoom, so you can join us from anywhere!

Alumni Survey: Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

BroadFutures alumni, tell us how you are doing! Take a few minutes to complete our alumni survey and share what you have been up to since your program.

Your experiences help us show future interns and employers the value of BroadFutures. Plus, you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card!

Questions? Contact our Program Administrator, Sam Blum, at sblum@broadfutures.org.

Community Corner

• Ford’s Theatre will host a sensory-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol on Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 PM! The performance offers an adjusted theater environment for guests with sensory sensitivities. Theatergoers under 40 can also join Ford’s free Generation Abe community for access to discounted tickets and special events. Learn more here.

  
  

• BroadFutures community partner and guest speaker Kate Harrington is hosting Constellations, a 12-month coaching and community membership for neurodivergent and disabled young people to learn the unwritten rules of friendship and dating. Learn more about the program here.

  
  

Young neurodivergent people have limitless potential.

Let's unlock it.