About the NDSC Down Syndrome Policy Summit

The NDSC Down Syndrome Policy Summit is a two-day event that brings advocates from all over the country to Washington, DC, to develop advocacy skills, learn about current policy issues, and meet with their elected officials on Capitol Hill. 

We know that cost can make it harder to attend—and we’re committed to making sure everyone has the opportunity to be there.

That’s why we’re excited to offer this peer-to-peer fundraising platform, designed to help remove financial barriers and make your trip possible.

Through this platform, you can raise funds with support from your community to help cover your travel and hotel expense for you and your family, so you can focus on showing up, learning, and making an impact.

This peer-to-peer platform enables individuals to raise funds to help cover part of their travel expenses for themselves and their family members. Donations would help cover hotel stays and airfare or ticketed ground transportation (such as Amtrak or Greyhound) to and from the event. Additionally, 25% of all funds raised will support NDSC’s policy and advocacy efforts throughout the year. 

Thinking about attending? Visit the main page to learn more.

Planning to fundraise? Check out our FAQ page for details on how the platform works.

Ready to get started? Click the Registration button and follow a few simple steps to begin fundraising.

Presenting Sponsor: Jack and Bret Bowerman

The NDSC Down Syndrome Policy Summit is made possible through the generous support of our Presenting Sponsors, Jack and Bret Bowerman. In April 2025, Jack and Bret completed the Run for Opportunity, a 10-day, 260-mile journey from New York City to Washington, DC. Their effort raised $100,000 to support fair wages for people with disabilities through passage of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA), helping inspire the creation of the Down Syndrome Policy Summit. NDSC is deeply grateful for their leadership and commitment to advancing opportunities for people with Down syndrome. The Run for Opportunity was made possible by the following major donors: LivEdge Capital, Mill Creek Capital Advisors, and Liquid Death.

Presenting Sponsor: The Ford Foundation

NDSC is equally honored to partner with our co–Presenting Sponsor, The Ford Foundation, a global leader in advancing equity, opportunity, and social justice. Through its longstanding commitment to strengthening communities and expanding inclusion, the Ford Foundation’s support helps make the Policy Summit possible and ensures advocates from across the country can come together to learn, connect, and drive substantive policy change.