Grants
The USVHA has collated a list of grants from other non-profit organizations that individuals can apply to which may be used to help cover a variety of adaptive sports related costs. This includes purchasing equipment, travel/lodging costs for tournaments, training/camps, and more.
If there are any grants that you would like to share which are not listed below, please contact us.
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Typical Award Amount:
Up to $3,500
Application Period:
Usually September – November
Anyone with a permanent physical disability that impairs mobility can apply
Application requires a doctor’s note, letter of recommendation, photos of the athlete, and financial information (e.g. W2)
Grant can go towards adaptive sports equipment or sports related expenses (tournament costs, travel, etc)
Can reapply every 2 years if applicant under age of 18, otherwise every 3 years
Surfgimp Foundation
Typical Award Amount:
$1,000 – $2,500
Application Period:
Usually October – December
Anyone who participates in adaptive sports, or is planning to, can apply
Application requires an additional letter of recommendation
Grant can go towards equipment, travel, lessons, support personnel, entry fees, etc.
Move United Athlete Grant
Typical Award Amount:
$500
Application Period:
Usually November – December
Must be a Move United individual member (free membership option)
More grants are available if you become a paying member ($75/year)
Must identify as a competitive or recreational adaptive athlete
Must have a permanent physical disability
Grant can be used for supporting the purchase of adaptive sports equipment or participation related fees (including travel expenses, competition fees, etc.)
Victoria’s Victory Foundation
Typical Award Amount:
$3,000 – $6,000
Application Period:
November deadline
Applicant must have a mobility disability caused by injury or diagnosis
Application requires financial information, character reference, and equipment vendor quote
Must be a resident of the United States and US citizen
Can reapply every 6 months
Laughing at My Nightmare – No More Nightmares Grants
Typical Award Amount:
$500 – $13,000
Application Period:
Cycle 1: March 1 – April 2, 2024; Cycle 2: July 26, Sept 2, 2024
Open to any United States residents living with muscular dystrophy
Grant can be used to purchase any sort of adaptive or medical equipment
Most recently filed tax return, quote for equipment, and proof of diagnosis from a doctor are required
Laughing at My Nightmare – Tech-Cessibility Grants
Typical Award Amount:
Up to $5,000
Application Period:
Cycle 1: April 1– May 2, 2024; Cycle 2: Sept 9 – Oct 9, 2024
Open to any United States resident living with any disability or chronic illness
Proof of diagnosis from a doctor is required
Grant can be used to go towards assistive technology and adaptive equipment
Kelly Brush Foundation – The Active Fund
Typical Award Amount:
$3,500 on average, no minimum or maximum
Application Period:
February – April, July – September
Applicant must be a United States citizen with paralysis caused by a spinal cord injury
Must provide documentation of paralysis, equipment vendor quotes, financial documentation, and a letter of recommendation
Grant will cover any piece of sport or recreational adaptive equipment
The Hoyt Foundation – “Yes You Can” Grant
Typical Award Amount:
$5,000 – $25,000
Application Period:
Usually January – March
Any child with a disability can apply
Proof of disability is required in the application (letter from doctor, IEP, etc)
Immediate family’s financial information is required (total household income, tax documents)
Triumph Foundation – Keep Moving Forward Grant
Typical Award Amount:
Up to $2,000
Application Period:
Always Open – Applications reviewed every 30-90 days
Applicant must be a citizen of the United States with a spinal cord injury
Grant can go towards adaptive equipment for daily living, home modifications, return to work/community, therapy/recreational activities
SCORE (Spinal Cord Opportunities for Rehabilitation Endowment)
Typical Award Amount:
$1,000 – $2,500
Application Period:
Always open
Grant can be used for anything to improve the quality of life of the grantee over an extended period of time
Applicant must have sustained a spinal cord injury when participating in non-motorized sports or athletic recreation activity
Must be a resident of the United States or Canada
Must have demonstrated financial need
Ian Burkhart Foundation
Typical Award Amount:
Unknown
Application Period:
Unknown
Applicant must have a Spinal Cord Injury
Grant covers items not usually covered by insurance that would greatly increase independence and quality of life
To learn more about the grant and to apply, email ian@ianburkhartfoundation.org
Gwendolyn Strong Foundation – SMA Community Grant
Typical Award Amount:
$250 – $2,500
Application Period:
Always open
Open to anyone in the world who has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Grant can be used for something tangible that is not covered by insurance
Applicant must be actively fundraising as well
Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation
Typical Award Amount:
Unknown
Application Period:
Always open
Applicant must be a resident of Indiana diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy
The grant assists with covering the cost of any equipment, item or service that promotes quality of life, independence, mobility, or safe living
Colorado Fund for Muscular Dystrophy
Typical Award Amount:
Up to $1,000
Application Period:
Open when funds are available
Applicant must be a United States citizen with a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy or a neuromuscular disorder
Grant can be used towards activities, services, or equipment that will increase an individual’s quality of life
Proof of diagnosis required
Proof of cost of item/service required
Children’s Brittle Bone Foundation / Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation Jeanie Coleman Impact Grant
Typical Award Amount:
The requested service or item (not a cash award)
Application Period:
Usually January – February
Citizens of the United States with an Osteogenesis Imperfecta diagnosis can apply
Application requires proof of diagnosis and income verification
Grant can be used for anything that improves quality of life
Chive Charities
Typical Award Amount:
Unknown
Application Period:
Always Open
Must have a letter from a medical professional to prove diagnosis and outline the need for the requested grant item
Grant can go towards medical items, mobility items, therapy items, and home modifications
Must have an income below $100,000
GoHawkeye Sports Equipment Grant
Typical Award Amount:
Up to $5,000
Application Period:
Biannual, Ending May 1 and November 1
Open to disabled individuals looking to purchase adaptive sports equipment
Applicants are evaluated by application quality and financial need
Applicants can reapply every 2 years if previously received the grant