California Foundation for Occupational Therapy | CFOT
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Founded 1981 · California Nonprofit

Advancing Occupational
Therapy Through
Education & Research

CFOT supports California's occupational therapy students, practitioners, and researchers through scholarships, traineeships, and grants — transforming lives through the power of OT.

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Support Our Mission

Your tax-deductible contributions help fund scholarships, research grants, and public awareness of occupational therapy services across California.

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$75K+
Awarded annually
20+
Scholarships per year
44
Years of service
CA
Statewide reach
$75K+
Awarded in scholarships & grants annually
20+
Scholarships awarded every year
1981
Year CFOT was established as a nonprofit
4x
Seed money distributed per year
Occupational Therapy in action — CFOT supports California's OT community
44 Years Serving
California OT
About CFOT

A Nonprofit Dedicated to Advancing Occupational Therapy

The California Foundation for Occupational Therapy was founded in 1981 as a nonprofit, public benefit organization to help support students, practitioners, and researchers advance their knowledge and skills — thereby enhancing occupational therapy services to all Californians.

Excellence in service to the public
Supporting educational endeavors
Innovative evidence-based research
Promoting OT leaders & public awareness
Learn more about CFOT
Programs & Funding

How CFOT Supports the OT Community

From student scholarships to practitioner research grants, CFOT offers multiple pathways to fund your OT journey.

Scholarships

Over 20 scholarships awarded annually — $3,000 each — to California OT/OTA students enrolled in accredited programs with a minimum 3.0 GPA and OTAC membership.

View scholarships

Traineeships

OTA traineeship awards for occupational therapy assistant students, enabling recipients to focus fully on their education and clinical training goals.

View traineeships

Research Grants

Funding from $300 seed money up to $10,000 general grants for OT practitioners and faculty conducting research in California. Awarded annually and quarterly.

View research funding

Seed Money

Up to $300 quarterly for pilot studies, program development projects, and capstone research. Distributed four times a year — no request is too small.

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Awardee Recognition

CFOT celebrates award recipients each year at the Annual Awards Luncheon & Symposium during the OTAC Conference — honoring excellence in OT.

Meet awardees

Public Awareness

CFOT is committed to educating Californians about the transformative potential of occupational therapy services for individuals, families, and communities.

Explore resources
Now Open

OTAC/CFOT Research Symposium — Call for Presentations

Students and practitioners are invited to submit presentations for the upcoming Research Symposium. Share your work, advance the field, and connect with California's OT community.

Students — Apply Practitioners — Apply
Awardee Stories

Messages of Thanks from Award Recipients

Hear directly from the students, practitioners, and researchers whose lives CFOT funding has supported.

Impact Stories

Transforming Lives Through OT

Our scholarship and traineeship recipients go on to proudly serve their communities as skilled occupational therapy professionals.

"

Words cannot describe how grateful I am for your generosity and willingness to afford me the opportunity to fulfill my education goals. By receiving this award, I can wholeheartedly focus on my passion of becoming the best OTA I can be.

KB
Kelsey Bowles, OTAS
OTA Traineeship Award Recipient
"

Occupational therapy transforms lives through individualized, innovative strategies for everyday living — and CFOT makes it possible for more Californians to access this transformative care.

OT
CFOT Mission
California Foundation for Occupational Therapy
"

I am deeply honored that you chose me as a recipient and I promise to proudly serve my community in all my future endeavors. With sincerest gratitude to everyone at CFOT.

KA
CFOT Scholarship Recipient
OT Student, California

Help Us Fund the Next Generation of OT Professionals

Your tax-deductible contribution directly supports California students, practitioners, and researchers advancing occupational therapy for the public good.

Donate to CFOT Today