Grants in United States

GOAL

Serve as a central repository of various grant programs we can share with the Able Bodied community. This is meant to be an “open source” document, so if you have any funding sources your are aware of, please add them to the appropriate section.

NOTE: Trying to figure out what handcycle to mention in your grant application, check out our handcycle guide.

General Grants

Challenged Athlete Fund

Dates: September to November

Amount: ~$3,000, but they are known to cover the entire cost of Top End handcycles up to $10K

Time to fill out application: October 7 - December 6

NOTE: Supports individuals worldwide

The challenged athlete fund is one of the largest (if not the largest) adaptive sports grant programs with 10s of millions of dollars given out annually. They have one grant cycle per year and are the best to start with as then you have time to apply for the KBF and High Fives grants and stack them all in one year.

High Fives

Dates: Two grant cycles, January-March, July-September

Amount: ~$3,000-$5,000

Time to fill out application: January 1 - 30, July 1 - 30

The high fives is an organization based in Tahoe that initially started funding primarily injured professional athletes, but have since loosened the requirements. They will fund equipment for SCI and TBI survivors injured while doing an outdoor sport or any inertia based injury.

Kelly Brush Grant

Dates: Two grant cycles, Spring (Jan to April) and Fall (July to September)

Amount: $1,500 to $5,000

The Kelly Brush foundation funds millions of dollars of sports equipment yearly. They are active in the Bay Area and have an annual ride up Mt. Tam (where you can meet Kelly in person). Really great people with a great mission

Victoria’s Victory

Dates: Three grant cycles

Amount: $1500 - $6000

Time to fill out application: varies, but ~ Jan 1st - 30th, July 1st - 30th, Oct 4th - Nov 3rd

IMPORTANT NOTE: Need to have other funding lined up, they want to turn around funding pretty quickly, might even be less time than High Fives

Victoria’s Victory Foundation is an organization founded on the desire to help those with mobility disabilities by providing scholarships and knowledge-based support that empowers individuals to live with dignity and independence.

AdaptX

Dates: 10-5-2026

Amount: ?

Time to fill out application: 10-5-2026 to 11-1-2026

For competitive adaptive athletes of all ages who could benefit from upgrading their equipment. This grant could cover the cost of:

Para/Adaptive Sports Equipment

Go Hawkeye

Dates: Two grant cycles, May 1st and November 1st

Amount: Rarely exceed $5,000

Time to fill out application: Before May1st and before November 1st

The grant program extends its eligibility to adaptive individuals and organizations across the United States, offering grants for both adaptive sports equipment and adaptive sports experiences. The grant cycle follows a biannual schedule, concluding on May 1 and November 1.

Help Hope Live

Dates: You build your own fundraising campaign and donations are tax deductible

Amount: $2,500 - $100,000

Time to fill out application: Anytime

Organization that helps you create a donation campaign for you personally. They will help guide you through how to fundraise and will give you feedback on your campaigns. Donations will be tax deductible, which is really great (especially after 2026 see blog post).

Grants for Special Groups

America’s Fund

Dates: Open enrollment

Group: US military veterans and their families

Amount: ?

America’s Fund is a program created to direct urgently needed resources and financial support to injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. This is a program of the Semper Fi Fund, an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy and a 4-star (highest possible) rating from Charity Navigator. Since its inception in 2004, the Semper Fi Fund has provided more than $76 million in support.

The Independence Fund

Dates: Open enrollment

Group: US military veterans injured in the line of duty

Amount: ?

The Independence Fund's mission is to provide the tools, therapies, and guidance that those veterans severely injured in the Line of Duty are otherwise not receiving. The Independence Fund is an entirely 100%, All Volunteer Non-Profit whose Board of Directors is comprised entirely of Combat Veterans. Find out more at www.independencefund.org.

SCORE

Dates: ?

Group: People that suffered a spinal cord injury in non-motorized sports or athletic recreation activity

Amount: $1,000-$2,500

SCORE aims to assist young people who have been injured while participating in sporting events or athletic recreation. SCORE endeavors to improve the quality of life for people with a spinal cord injury, assisting with the substantial out-of-pocket costs associated with obtaining the best medical care, home amenities and transportation. The end goal is to facilitate rehabilitation and independent living. Find out more at www.scorefund.org.

Swim with Mike

Dates: May 1st

Group: College students

Amount: ?

Swim With Mike provides financial resources for the advanced education of physically challenged athletes to overcome their tragedies and realize their full potential.

Regional Grants (US)

Bishstrong Foundation

Dates: 2/1-3/31

Region: Preference to New England, but have funded states outside their area

Amount: Up to $5,000

The Bishstrong Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which aims to inspire and encourage individuals with spinal cord injuries and those living with paralysis to remain active. Our foundation provides resources aimed at helping individuals to become more independent and lead healthy fulfilling lifestyles. Through fundraising we provide financial assistance grants to qualified individuals to assist in the purchase of vitally necessary adaptive equipment.

I'M ABLE

Dates: Temporarily paused

Region: Mid atlantic ( PA, NJ, MD, DE, DC, and NY)

Amount: ?

I'M ABLE grants are awarded to disabled individuals and supporting organizations and provide hand-cycles, adaptive skis and instructional training programs for those in need. Our purpose is to unleash the potential in physically challenged children and adults to be more active, enjoy the benefits of physical fitness, and spend more time in the great outdoors. Find out more at http://getupandmove.org/funding.php

Stacy Fuson Foundation

Dates: Applicants reviewed every 30-90 days by board of directors

Region: Priority for residents of Arizona or California

Amount: $2,500 - $7,500

Providing financial assistance for people with disabilities to cover costs such as physical therapy, medical and sports equipment, living expenses, and other related expenses, enabling them to remain active in their communities.

Triumph Foundation

Dates: Applicants reviewed every 30-90 days by board of directors

Region: Priority for residents of southern California

IMPORTANT NOTE: Need to have other funding lined up, they want to turn around funding pretty quickly, might even be less time than High Fives

Amount: $2,000

Triumph Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help individuals with Spinal Cord Injury triumph over their disability and to inspire them to keep moving forward with their lives by pushing themselves toget better every day. Triumph Foundation works to minimize the obstacles that one faces after suffering Spinal Cord Injury. We specialize in galvanizing and restoring lives after Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Find out more at www.triumph-foundation.org.

Other grant lists and resources

A lot of the above grants were sourced from the following sources (which may have been updated since)

KBF Active Project - The KBF grant finder is a great place to find resources in the US.

Support NOW - https://grants.supportnow.org/ Find grants to cover your medical needs

Norcal SCI - https://norcalsci.org/grantsandfinancialassistance

Lasher Sport - https://lashersport.com/funding.html

SportOn - https://jpmpro.com/funding

Bike On - https://bike-on.com/cycle-funding/