Our Story
The Skylar Henkes Foundation was founded by Autumn and Brandon Henkes, parents who chose to transform profound grief into purposeful action.
After losing their daughter Skylar in 2022 due to complications from her cerebral palsy, Autumn and Brandon faced the difficult reality shared by so many families affected by disability—how fragile access and support can be. Rather than letting grief define their future, they chose to build something that would serve others living with disabilities in tangible, lasting ways.
Together, they founded the Skylar Henkes Foundation in 2024 with the goal of creating opportunity, improving quality of life, and honoring Skylar’s legacy through action. They are also parents to their son, Nash, whose life continues to reinforce their commitment to building a more inclusive and compassionate world.
Our Mission
Our mission is to increase quality of life and expand opportunity for individuals living with developmental disabilities by providing meaningful financial support, adaptive resources, and inclusive experiences.
We believe access changes everything—and that no one should be limited by what insurance won’t cover.
We envision a future where individuals with developmental disabilities have equitable access to the tools, experiences, and support they need to live full, meaningful lives—regardless of age, ability, or financial barriers.
Our Program
The Skylar Henkes Foundation supports:
Individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities
Families throughout Appalachia, with priority given to southern West Virginians
Through our grant program and community partnerships, we provide funding for:
Adaptive equipment
Adaptive sports and recreational equipment
Therapy-related items and supports
Experience-based opportunities and giveaways
Sponsorships for like-minded organizations
Support of disability-related conferences and educational initiatives
A Labor of Love
This foundation is truly a labor of love.
From the physical work of growing flowers to the thoughtful process of awarding grants, every part of our foundation is rooted in care, intention, and commitment. The work done in the field directly becomes support for individuals and families—transforming effort into opportunity.
Skylar’s legacy lives on through every grant awarded, every flower sold, and every life touched.
This foundation exists because of Skylar, and for Skylar.