Meg McCall
Mar 9, 20236 min
Updated: Jan 22
Our goal at Angle Oar is to help as many people as possible experience the transformational powers of the outdoors as independently as possible. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve our designs, adding new products to the mix, and pointing people to other adaptive resources that will get them out on the water or active in some way. Compiling this list of grants is one way we do that.
Fundraising can be a challenging, time-consuming endeavor, so we've put together this list of grant resource,. These organizations may help you in your quest to secure funding for adaptive equipment, such as adaptive kayaking products, handcycles, wheelchair skiing, adaptive soccer or any other recreational activity.
As with any grant, the eligibility criteria, funds available and application deadlines for the grants that follow vary. Some are open to all organizations, some only to veterans, and others only to geographic regions or program participants.
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Grants to individuals with permanent physical disabilities worldwide for travel and competition expenses, coaching and training expenses, and adaptive sports equipment.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation – Quality of Life Grants
Awards grants to non-profit organizations that impact and empower people living with paralysis, their families and caregivers.
Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Grants
Supports organizations conducting SCI research, training in spinal cord medicine, and providing services to assist individuals and families affected by spinal cord injury.
Friendship Circle - Great Bike Giveaway
Povides adaptive bikes to individuals with special needs and raises crucial awareness for the need of adaptive bikes.
Provides select individuals with funding for participation in exercise-based recovery programs and the purchase of adaptable products.
Focuses on providing resources to people who were injured participating in outdoor sports.
I AM ABLE Foundation - Equipment Grants
Provides adaptive sports gear and group fitness programs to individuals with disabilities in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Kelly Brush Foundation – The Active Fund
Provides grants for individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury to purchase adaptive sports equipment.
LL Bean Community Club Fostered Community (CFC) in Partnership with American Canoe Association
Gives paddling clubs that have a specific goal of inviting and recruiting a new and diverse group of paddlers through work that supports the ACA’s mission of education, stewardship, and competition.
Marshall & Mary Brondum Special Assistance Foundation
Aids individuals whose needs are not or cannot be met by already existing charities and/or agencies. These needs may be (but are not limited to) medical, adaptive life-style and financial.
Distributes grants to its member chapters each year for adaptive sports programs and equipment.
Grants to purchase adaptive equipment (e.g., crossbow cocking devices, portable hunting blinds, fishing or skiing equipment) to provide outdoor experiences for the disabled.
Supports specific projects and general operations in areas that include programs for people with disabilities.
Road Runner Sports – Athletes Helping Athletes Foundation
Adaptive bicycling grants for children 18 and under who have a permanent physical disability or severe mobility impairment.
Spinal Cord Opportunities for Rehabilitation Endowment (SCORE) Grants
Provides modest financial grants to people paralyzed while participating in sports or recreational activities.
Triumph Foundation – Keep Moving Forward Grant & Employment Achievement Award
Assists people with spinal cord injuries in getting necessary equipment, supplies and services.
The mission of the Two Angels Foundation is increasing the recreational activities for children living in Colorado with physical disabilities by providing them with adaptive bikes.
Helps children with disabilities, 20 years and younger, obtain medical and adaptive equipment (strollers, car seats, tricycles, wheelchairs) not provided by insurance. Grants currently only open to recipients in Oregon, Washington, Idaho or California.
The Independence Fund – Adaptive Sports Program
Ensures that our most catastrophically wounded, ill or injured veterans are becoming involved in sports.
Grants for specialized equipment to help service members with injuries or illnesses.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Adaptive Sports Grants Program
Gives veterans the opportunity to improve their independence, well-being and quality of life through adaptive sports and therapeutic arts programs.
In our research, we came across a number of other grant resources that may not be geared to adaptive recreation equipment but which may be suitable for other types of assistive technologies, such as mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, scooters, prosthetic devices), hearing aids, computer software or vehicle adaptations. In other cases, eligibility for these particular grants is limited to a geographic area or to participants already involved in a given program.
Avery Fuller Welch Children's Foundation
Provides grants that allow California-based low-income families with children in need of supportive, remedial therapy, including occupational or physical therapy that help with function and mobiity.
Supports individuals in the US with rare medical conditions, veterans and first responders with medically-related needs, providing therapy equipment, mobility devices and more.
Awards grants in the Chicago, IL area that improve self-sufficiency and quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
First Hand provides funding for children whose families cannot afford medical care, equipment, vehicle modifications, or displacement related to care.
Works through referring professionals (case managers, health care workers, etc.) who apply on behalf of their clients needing mobility equipment, prosthetics, hearing aids and much more!
Enhances the quality of life for children in Massachusetts with neurological disease by providing tangible items that increase physical comfort, facilitate social interaction, and build acceptance in the greater community.
The Foundation supports capital projects of nonprofit organizations in the Dallas, Texas area, including therapy facilities, adaptive resources for people with disabilities.
Provides one-time grants, in specific geographic regions, to worthy non-profit organizations that address the needs of children.
Provides wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications as well as other assistive and therapeutic devices for children that have limited mobility due to illness, accident or abuse.
Be Perfect Paralysis Awareness Foundation
Offers direct financial and emotional aid to individuals living with paralysis.
Byron Reisch Paralysis Foundation
Gives assistance (ramps, bikes, vehicle modifications) to those with neurological disorders, with priority to going to spinal cord injuries and people in Wisconsin.
Loma Linda University Health – PossAbilities Grants
Supports PossAbilities members with grants to improve their quality of life and assist with stronger integration of those with disabilities into the community (e.g., equipment, travel, social outings).
Promote programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community. Must be members of Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center
.
Provides grants for assistive technologies helping individuals regain their independence.
We also found a couple of comprehensive resource lists that may be helpful as you drill down to grants or other funding sources available in your state.
In addition to the many opportunities above, nearly every community offers funding to local non-profit groups or scholarships to individuals.
United Way: United Way funding priorities will differ by region and will usually be in the form of annual or multi-year funding for entire programs. Occasional “special” grants may be available for one-time needs, such as purchasing adaptive equipment.
Community Foundation, Rotary Club and Elks Clubs: Many local foundations and civic organizations offer scholarships and small grants to area organizations and individuals.
Government: Many city and/or county municipalities will offer funds for inclusive programming, whether it be through human services or parks and recreation divisions.
Businesses: Check the websites of the large employers in your community to find out what types of grants they might make available to the community.
Of course, there are dozens of other strategies for raising funds besides grants, including corporate sponsorships, hosting events, conducting fundraising campaigns, and even utilizing crowdfunding platforms. We hope, however, that this list of grant sources will get you off to a good start.
If you would like additional ideas or grant writing advice, or need Versa or Gamut product details for your grant application, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@angleoar.com!
P.S. Check out our Adaptive Kayaking InfoGraphic for statistics and information related to kayaking that you might be able to use in your grant application. Also, try our Adaptive Kayaking Equipment Budget Estimating Calculator if you're applying for kayaking-related grants.
Angle Oar LLC's mission is getting people who didn’t think they had the strength or endurance to kayak out on the water and keeping experienced paddlers there longer! We provide adaptive paddles, outriggers and other equipment to people with shoulder problems, physical disabilities or limited upper body strength due to age, injury or ability.