Fall 2025 Grant Cycle
Applications open in October 2025
Grant Opportunities

Access Grant
For adaptive athletes under 18 years old that want to get into adaptive sports. This grant could cover the cost of:
Basic Equipment, Programs, Camps or Clinics

Ambassador

Running Blade
Recipient

Running Chair
Recipient
For adaptive athletes with competition aspirations. This program supports athletes with:
Competition fees, branded apparel, and training support

Adaptive Equipment Grant
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
For lower-extremity amputees who would benefit from an activity prosthetic. These donations are geographic-specific to our Unified 5k locations.

Adaptive Fitness
Facility Grant
For fitness facilities that support adaptive athletes. This grant could cover the cost of:
Adaptive Fitness Equipment
For duo teams (Team Hoyt, Ainsley’s Angels, My Team Triumph, etc.) who would benefit from their own racing chair and have a demonstrated track record of participating in races.
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Timeline
10/6/2025 - Applications Open
11/2/2025 - Applications Close
Week of 12/8/2025 - Interviews Conducted with Finalists
12/22/2025 - Award Announcements
Meet the Review Committee
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Jack O'Neil, PLY
Jack was 9 years old when he decided to have his leg amputated after many surgeries attempting to correct the birth defect complications in his left leg. He grew up playing youth sports alongside non-disabled competitors, as he qualified for the Colorado State Swimming Championships under the non-disabled time standards. He was also the first triathlete with a disability to compete at youth, high-school, and adult nationals…
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Owen Anketell
Owen is an all-season adaptive athlete. Since the age of 3 he has been skiing adaptively through New England Disabled Sports at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire, where he is an adaptive ski coach now. During high school, Owen founded a non-profit to help raise awareness for adaptive sports and hand cycled from Calais, ME to Key West, FL to support his organization’s mission. They covered a total of 2,365 miles and educated…
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Eavan O'Neill
Eavan is a Development Officer at Mass General Brigham and a Brand Ambassador for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease in 2020, she transformed a deeply personal challenge into a source of advocacy and empowerment. She founded Brightside, a support community for blind and low-vision individuals, and uses her platform, through storytelling and running, to raise awareness and support for vision loss research….
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Michael Palmer
Mike Palmer is 30 years old and on the autism spectrum. He grew up in Hopkinton, Massachusetts and fell in love with the Boston Marathon. Living in Hopkinton about 1.5 miles from the start line, Mike could be seen cheering runners on as they started their 26.2 mile journey into Boston. In 2018, he became serious about running and set his goal on running in the infamous Boston Marathon. In 2019, his dream of running the marathon came true…
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Maria Velat
Maria Velat is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Movement Science, an elite adaptive track and field and wheelchair tennis athlete, and the CEO and co-founder of I Am An Athlete Too (IAAAT). After being paralyzed by transverse myelitis in high school, Maria refused to let her disability define her. She channeled her experience into advocacy, co-founding IAAAT to create permanent adaptive sports categories in Michigan…
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Tyler Garner
Dr. Tyler Garner is a distinguished educator and leader in kinesiology, currently serving as the Director of Undergraduate Student Services and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). With over a decade of experience in academic advising and teaching, Tyler has made a lasting impact on students, recognized multiple times by UTA Student Affairs and Military and Veteran Services for positively influencing…
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Dianne Vitkus
Dianne Vitkus is the Resource Program Manager at the Spaulding Travis Roy Center for Enhanced Independence, where she serves as a primary point of contact for individuals and families navigating life with spinal cord injuries. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, Dianne helps patients access adaptive technologies, connect with resources, and build strategies for independence both in the hospital and beyond…
Additional Funding Opportunities
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Stronger Than You Think Foundation
Stronger Than You Think supports women and girls with limb loss by funding prosthetics, promotes water safety to prevent drownings, and empowers Paralympic athletes with resources to compete. Our mission focuses on these three pillars to drive meaningful change.
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Victoria's Victory Foundation
Victoria’s Victory Foundation is a 501(c)3 dedicated to providing support and resources to people living with mobility disabilities caused by spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, stroke, MS, cerebral palsy, and other rare diseases.
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Kelly Brush Foundation
Through the Active Fund, grants are provided for individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury to purchase adaptive sports equipment. KBF believes in the power of sport and recreation to foster inclusion and overcome the barriers of paralysis and has helped over 1,900 people from 50 states purchase handcycles, monoskis, sport chairs, racing chairs, hockey sleds, and much more.
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America's Fund
Semper Fi & America’s Fund cares for our Nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, we provide one-on-one case management, connection, and lifetime support. Today. Tomorrow. Together.
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Athletes Helping Athletes
Your donations allow each eligible athlete to receive a custom built Adaptive Bike from AHA. Plus, AHA is 100% supported by Road Runner Sports! Together, AHA and Road Runner Sports ensure that all of your donations go to purchasing Adaptive Bike so that 100% of the cost is covered for each family.
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Bishstrong Foundation
The Bishstrong Foundation, Inc. (“BF”) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which aims to inspire and encourage individuals with spinal cord injuries or limited mobility issues to remain active.
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Catch A Lift
The Catch A Lift Fund enables post 9/11 combat injured veterans all over the U.S. to recover and rehabilitate both physically and mentally through physical fitness, motivation and support.
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Team Catapult
It is the mission of Team Catapult to facilitate a lifestyle of health and fitness to physically challenged individuals, so they may meet their personal goals. We strive to motivate and unite communities by demonstrating that disabilities place no limit to an athete’s capabilities.
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Chive Charities
Chive Charities is committed to championing those most in need, targeting four cause categories: Veterans, first responders, rare medical diagnosees and their families.
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Colorado Fund for Muscular Dystrophy
The Colorado Fund for Muscular Dystrophy (CFMD) was established in 2012 by friends and family of Aileen Colorado, who passed away from complications of pneumonia in 2011. Born with congenital muscular dystrophy, Aileen never let her disability stop her from living a fulfilling life and a career helping people with disabilities.
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Dare 2 Tri
Through the Ability Fund, Dare2tri provides financial and equipment grants to eligible athletes who have a physical disability or visual impairment. The goal of the Ability Fund is to eliminate the barrier of high-priced equipment, travel, coaching, and race entry fees.
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David's Chair
Because of donations given by grants, sponsors, and generous individuals, David’s Chair has taken people and their families on exciting outdoor excursions at locations that are inaccessible to regular wheelchairs.
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Flyin Ryan Foundation
The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation exists to challenge students, athletes and others to independently explore what is important to them and to take ownership of those ideas by composing a personal set of Core Values to serve as the basis for their daily attitude and decision making. We believe that an internally imposed sense of identity is a vital component of a life that reflects high quality decisions and a greater sense of well-being.
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Genesis Foundation for Children
The Genesis Foundation For Children provides funding for clinical, informational, and therapeutic programs for children born with physical and intellectual challenges and genetic disorders.
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Getting Back Up
Getting Back Up works to help those living with a spinal cord injury improve their quality of life TODAY by providing goods and services which can help make a difference in someone’s IMMEDIATE situation.
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Gridiron Heroes
Gridiron Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation provides immediate, as well as, long term resources and support to individuals sustaining a catastrophic spinal cord injury through activities associated with high school football.
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High Fives Foundation
The High Fives Foundation's Empowerment Fund offers two grant cycles each year, designed to support individuals recovering from life-altering injuries in pursuing goals related to outdoor adventure sports. Learn more about how each cycle is structured below.
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Horizon Foundation
Since its founding in 1997, Horizon Foundation has funded non-profit organizations that meet the mission goals in places where our trustees live and work. Grant funding concentrates on building organizational and community-wide effectiveness, developing opportunities, raising aspirations, and generally making a positive and lasting difference.
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IM Able Foundation
IM ABLE Adaptive Equipment Grants are awarded to individuals with physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral challenges residing in the Mid-Atlantic region, providing adaptive sports gear and group fitness programs.
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The Independence Fund
The Independence Fund is committed to empowering our nation’s catastrophically wounded, injured, or ill Veterans, helping them to overcome the physical, mental, and emotional wounds sustained in service. We are dedicated to improving the lives of both Veterans and their families.
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The Go Hawkeye Foundation
The GoHawkeye grant program is open to adaptive individuals and organizations in the United States and consists of adaptive sports equipment and adaptive sports experience grants.
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I Run for Bob
I Run for Bob aims To improve quality of life and provide otherwise inaccessible experiences to individuals with limited mobility.
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J-Rob Foundation
J-Rob Foundation, Inc. is a not for profit committed to providing adaptive sporting equipment to children with physical disabilities or challenges. The Foundation also funds adaptive sports opportunities for athletes. The adaptive sporting equipment may include, but is not limited to racing wheelchairs, hand cycles, monoskis and bi-skis. We strive to encourage children who are already overcoming physical challenges to participate in sports.
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LA84
Born out of the 1984 Olympic Games, the LA84 Foundation moves communities forward by ensuring every child has access to the benefits of sports. As a nationally recognized leader in youth sports, we are action oriented, supporting and elevating programs that drive youth development, promote equity, and inspire future generations.
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The Motion Project
Motion Project Foundation was developed to assist individuals who suffered a spinal cord injury and their families to put recovery in motion, rise above from the catastrophic injury and improve their overall health. providing funding for medical equipment, home or vehicle modifications, intense therapy rehabilitation, advocacy, or other services and activities to improve lives of individuals with a spinal cord injury and show there is hope after tragedy.
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Muscular Dystrophy Family Fundation
The Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation uses its collective resources to help those with a neuromuscular disease live safer, more independent lives. Ways in which the MDFF provides support include adaptive equipment, home modifications, and transportation.
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Outdoor Ability Foundation
At the Outdoor Ability Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to empower disabled children aged 8 to 19 by providing grants for the purchase of adaptive equipment. This equipment not only enables them to explore and enjoy the great outdoors but also supports their participation in activities such as hunting and fishing.
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Project 34
Founded by former ASU baseball teammates Cory Hahn and Trevor Williams, Project 34 was created with the overarching goal to positively impact the lives of those living with a spinal cord injury. Cory and Trevor were teammates on the 2011 baseball team, when Cory became paralyzed from the chest down after an injury to his C-5 vertebra during a game.
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SCORE
SCORE (Spinal Cord Opportunities for Rehabilitation Endowment) is a non-profit organization that provides modest financial grants to people paralyzed while participating in sports or recreational activities.
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Stand Up and Play Foundation
The mission of the stand up and play foundation is to provide wheelchair users and others with impaired mobility the opportunity to stand up and engage in recreational and everyday activities through access to VertaCats/paramobiles, clinics, and recreational programs. Our organization introduces the VertaCat/ paramobile and other adaptive equipment to wheelchair users through clinics and demonstrations where we reinforce the mental and physical therapeutic benefits of standing.
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Steadfast Foundation
The Steadfast Foundation is dedicated to assisting young people in their battle against cancer and people with mobility challenges expand their horizons. The Steadfast Foundation was founded in 2006 by Ryan Miller, to benefit people battling cancer, especially those with childhood forms of the disease. Since then, Steadfast has broadened its scope and initiatives in an effort to assist, inspire, and empower people living with disabilities, by helping them to become more independent, gain equality, enjoy the benefits of inclusion and accessibility, and to become happier and healthier through the magic of mobility and the outdoors.
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Still Standing Foundation
Still Standing is a non-profit organization committed to facilitating access to adaptive equipment. With the support of generous contributions, we empower individuals with disabilities to achieve their activity goals, tailored to their unique circumstances. Every cent of your contribution directly supports our mission.
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Surfgimp Foundation
Surfgimp Foundation's mission is to support, through financial grants, individuals with disabilities who require assistance to pursue an active lifestyle.
Sometimes a disabled individual needs assistance from other people to experience their greatest adventures. Our vision is to help facilitate these adventures by providing support for some of the extra expenses that can be incurred such as equipment, travel, lessons, entry fees, and more.
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Tighten The Drag
At Tighten The Drag Foundation, it is our goal to help everyone with a SPINAL CORD INJURY have a better quality of life. We provide information to help you navigate the world of Spinal Cord Injury. We STRONGLY believe that RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE through activity based exercise programs, recreational adaptive sporting events, good health and nutrition and a positive state of mind.
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Two Angels Foundation
The Two Angels Foundation focuses on helping children (under 21 years old) living in Colorado with physical disabilities live the most active and normal lives possible by providing them with adaptive bikes.
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War fighter Engaged
The mission of War fighter Engaged is To support veterans and the wider disability community through innovative, inclusive gaming experiences, education, and advocacy for a more accessible future.
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Wheel to Walk
Wheel to Walk Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps children with disabilities, 20 years and younger, obtain medical & adaptive equipment or therapy services not provided by insurance. They strongly believe that no child or young adult with special needs go without items that could improve the quality of their daily life. -
Wheels for Wheels
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to serving, uplifting and mobilizing the disabled community through advocacy, education and realized successes that foster compassion and advance accessibility.
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The Sterling Thomas Push Push Pray Foundation
The Sterling Thomas Push Push Pray Foundation is dedicated to inspiring hope, empowering, and enriching the quality of life of individuals living with spinal cord injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No - we do ask applicants to list their diagnosis, but we do not require medical proof of disability.
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We do ask applicants to share about their financial situation but do not require applicants to submit tax documents or other proof of income. Our goal is to make sure that this grant program has the largest impact possible, so we would prefer to support individuals who otherwise would not be able to access these opportunities due to socioeconomic barriers.
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We will start with 1-year contracts and will mutually agree upon ongoing support.
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If you have questions as to which grant application is correct for you, email brendan@adaptx.org.
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We ask that recipients utilize the funding within the following calendar year. If you are selected during this Fall 2025 cycle, we ask that you use the funds before the end of 2026.
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We will provide you with AdaptX-branded apparel that we would love for you to wear in your community and in competition. Our marketing team will also work with recipients on strategies to communicate the impact of our grant program and if you’re comfortable doing so, share your story.