More than a grant: Building a collaborative ecosystem for Inclusive communities

Jakarta, June 2026

 

Nathan’s Foundation in collaboration with YCAB Foundation, recently held the Nathan’s Foundation Grant Program 2026 Onboarding & Sharing Session under the theme “Strengthening and Expanding Access for Inclusive Communities Through Collaboration.” The full-day event served as an important opportunity to reinforce a shared commitment to expanding access to services for inclusive communities, particularly autistic individuals and those with other developmental support needs across Indonesia.

 

The event was attended by Philip Tjiptodihardjo, Founder of Nathan’s Foundation; Adelle Odelia Tanuri, Director of Nathan’s Foundation; Linda Sukandar, COO of YCAB Foundation; as well as representatives from various departments within YCAB Foundation. Representatives from the five recipients of the 2026 Nathan’s Foundation Grant Program also participated in the event: The TamTam Therapy Centre, Yayasan Jendela Ibu Nawasena, Yayasan Indonesia Peduli Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus, Yayasan Heroik Spirit Indonesia, and Rumah Autis.

 

 

Nathan’s Foundation Grant Program focuses not only on strengthening the capacity of individual grantee organisations but also on fostering a connected ecosystem where organisations can complement one another in delivering more comprehensive services to the communities they serve. Through this collaborative approach, organisations are encouraged to learn from one another, share experiences, and build partnerships that can expand and sustain their collective impact.

 

 

 

The onboarding session began with an introduction to the grant program and presentations from each of the 2026 grantee organisations. The initiatives presented reflected a shared commitment to improving service quality, expanding access to support, and creating more inclusive environments for autistic individuals and their communities.

 

Inclusive Collaboration Lab: Designing Partnerships for Greater Impact

 

One of the key sessions of the event was the Inclusive Collaboration Lab. This interactive discussion space brought grantees together with various departments from YCAB Foundation to explore opportunities for future collaboration.

 

Through dynamic small-group discussions, participants examined the needs, challenges, and strengths of their respective organisations. The conversations generated a range of collaborative ideas, demonstrating how challenges faced by inclusive communities can often be addressed through cross-sector and cross-organisational partnerships.

 

 

 

One particularly engaging discussion came from Rumah Autis, which highlighted the need for continued support for young people after completing their formal education. The conversation sparked ideas for developing life skills programmes inspired by YCAB Foundation’s Youth Readiness Program. Yayasan Heroik Spirit Indonesia identified opportunities to contribute to curriculum development, while Foundation and Partnership teams explored ways to connect the initiative with future funding and development opportunities. The discussion illustrated how collaboration can help generate more comprehensive solutions to community needs.

 

The collaborative spirit continued beyond the formal sessions. During lunch and networking breaks, participants remained actively engaged in conversations, sharing insights, experiences, and perspectives that enriched the collective understanding of both challenges and opportunities within Indonesia’s inclusive ecosystem.

 

Learning from the Nathan’s Foundation Grant Program 2025

 

The second session featured a presentation by Nathan’s Foundation’s Grantmaking Team, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from the implementation of the 2025 Grant Program.

 

The session provided participants with valuable insights into how grant support had been translated into programmes that created meaningful benefits for communities. Lessons learned throughout the previous grant cycle also offered practical guidance for the 2026 grantees as they prepare to implement their own initiatives.

 

Sharing Session: Strengthening and Expanding Access for Inclusive Communities Through Collaboration

 

The programme continued with a sharing session featuring recipients of the 2025 Nathan’s Foundation Grant Program, including YCHI Autism Center, Kreaby, YIPABK, Rumah Autis, and SABK.

 

 

 

   

Through a talk show titled “Strengthening and Expanding Access for Inclusive Communities Through Collaboration,” speakers shared their experiences of how grant support had helped strengthen their programmes, expand service reach, and build partnerships with various stakeholders.

 

The discussion explored real-world experiences of building collaborative initiatives, understanding community needs, navigating implementation challenges, and witnessing the impact created for beneficiaries. Participants from the 2026 cohort actively engaged in the conversation, raising questions and exchanging ideas with organisations that had already gone through the grant implementation process.

 

In line with the event theme, the session reinforced the idea that collaboration is one of the key drivers in strengthening support systems and expanding access for inclusive communities. Whether through service delivery, organisational capacity building, or public awareness efforts, sustainable change becomes possible when different stakeholders work together toward a shared goal.

 

Building a Community for a More Inclusive Indonesia

 

More than a forum for discussion and programme planning, the Nathan’s Foundation Grant Program 2026 Onboarding & Sharing Session also created space for relationship-building, trust, and mutual support among organisations that share a common vision.

 

This spirit was reflected in the feedback shared by participants after the event. Many grantees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect, learn, and exchange experiences with other organisations working to support inclusive communities.

 

One participant noted that the event provided a valuable opportunity to learn alongside peers and build networks with organisations committed to creating a more inclusive future for Indonesian children. Meanwhile, a representative from Rumah Autis shared gratitude for becoming part of the Nathan’s Foundation Grant Program 2026 community and expressed hope for continued growth and collaboration in advancing inclusion across Indonesia.

 

Recipients of the 2025 grant program who participated as speakers also expressed their appreciation for the collaborative environment fostered by Nathan’s Foundation and YCAB Foundation. They shared their hope that the ecosystem currently taking shape will continue to grow and inspire more collaborative initiatives with meaningful impact.

 

Strengthening Support Through a Collaborative Ecosystem

 

 

 

The Nathan’s Foundation Grant Program is about more than funding. Together with YCAB Foundation, Nathan’s Foundation aims to create opportunities for partner organisations to learn from one another, strengthen their organisations, and explore new ways to better support the communities they serve.

 

Several 2025 grantees reflected on their own journey through the grant program and welcomed the opportunity to share lessons learned with the new cohort. They also highlighted the importance of having a space where organisations can learn from one another and build connections that may lead to future partnerships. 

 

For Nathan's Foundation, a grant is not the end goal. It is the beginning of a relationship and commitment. By connecting organisations that share a similar mission, Nathan's Foundation hopes to create more opportunities for learning, collaboration, and collective action in support of autistic individuals and inclusive communities across Indonesia.