The Cordani Family Grant Program
Achilles International is committed to breaking down barriers to the start line for athletes with disabilities. For many of our athletes, entry costs and organizational challenges can be as daunting as the races themselves. Thanks to the generosity of The Cordani Family Grant Program, Achilles is pleased to provide funding for athletes and athlete-guide teams to help cover travel and destination race related expenses.
David Cordani, Chairman and CEO, The Cigna Group, and seasoned marathon runner and triathlete, has shared a cherished bond with the military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team since 2009. His efforts have supported the team on their racing journeys, acting as a guide in several marathons and even getting his children involved as guides for 5K and 10K races. The transformative impact he has made on the Achilles Freedom Team inspired this effort to fund even more start lines.
Applications will be open from July 8th to August 18th, 2025.
Types of Grants
Travel Race Grants for participation in a select Achilles destination race:
Up to $1,000 for an athlete
Up to $1,500 for an athlete-guide team
One Barrier Breaking Grant of up to $6,000 for an athlete-guide team for an iconic, once-in-a-lifetime, race adventure will be selected from this year’s pool of applicants.
Grants can only be used for race registration fees, hotels and race related travel expenses.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Only US-based Achilles athletes can apply for the Cordani Family Grant. To be eligible, athletes must be an active member of their chapter or Achilles Team USA.
Applications for the athlete-guide team grant must be submitted by athletes (and not guides). Guides included in an athletes’ submission for an athlete-guide team grant must be on Rosterfy and active in their chapters as well.
Selection will be based on a number of criteria including: Achilles workout attendance, financial need, training commitment, a first time race or distance, a personal letter of recommendation and input from local Achilles Chapter Leads.
Prioritized support will be given for the races on the Cordani Family Grant Program application form.
These grants are open to only U.S. civilian athletes with disabilities. (Grants and other opportunities for members of the U.S. military living with a disability can be found via the Achilles Freedom Team here.)
How To Apply
Applicants are required to:
Complete the application in Rosterfy here. You will be asked to include details about which race start lines you’re interested in and what participating in this race would mean to you. Note you will be prompted to log in to your Rosterfy account before being able to view the application.
Provide a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation cannot be submitted by Achilles staff or chapter leads. [View sample here]
If you have more questions please view our Frequently Asked Questions. For further assistance, please contact Elisheva Jasie at ejasie@achillesinternational.org.
Eligible Races
The application form will include a drop-down of the following prioritized Achilles-supported races that qualify for the Cordani Family Grant. There will also be an option to input and select a race not on the list. Athletes receiving the grant will still be required to secure their own race entries by applying via their chosen race’s official website and reviewing the race’s official regulations and course cutoff times.
2025 Achilles NYC Workout and Achilles New Jersey Hope & Possibility®5K & 10K, September 27-28
2025 Marine Corps Marathon, October 26
2026 Chevron Houston Marathon / Aramco Houston Half Marathon / Houston 5K, January 17-18
2026 Los Angeles Marathon / Los Angeles 5K, March 7-8
2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, March (*Challenging to gain entry. Application window typically opens in fall.)
2026 Bank of America Boston Marathon, April 20 (*Challenging to gain entry and requires time qualifier. Application window typically opens in fall.)
2026 RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, May
2026 BMW Berlin Marathon, September (*Strict race finish cutoff time. Application window typically opens in fall.)
2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon / Chicago 5K, October (*Challenging to gain entry. Application window typically opens in fall.)
Other Important Details
The Cordani Family Grant Program is administered by Achilles International and is subject to the availability of funds. Grants are awarded based on various eligibility criteria, including but not limited to training commitment, workout attendance, financial need and input from Chapter Leads.
Applying for this grant does not guarantee selection, and receiving a grant does not guarantee entry into a specific race. Applicants must secure their own race entry through the race organizer.
Funds awarded through this program are intended to assist with race-related expenses, including but not limited to registration fees, travel, and lodging. Grant recipients must provide receipts for reimbursement or payment processing as required. Grant funds will be distributed through Achilles International and its Chapter Leads and will not be transferred directly to individual recipients upfront.
Athletes are eligible for only one grant per calendar year, and priority may be given to applicants who did not receive a grant in the previous year.
Achilles International reserves the right to modify or terminate the grant program at any time without prior notice. By applying for and accepting a grant, recipients agree to comply with all terms and conditions set forth by Achilles International.
Frequently Asked Questions
ELIGIBILITY
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U.S.-based civilian (non-military) athletes who are active Achilles members.
Must be registered on Rosterfy.
Guides cannot apply for grants directly but can be included in an athlete application for an athlete-guide team grant.
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Some of the factors taken into consideration in the selection process are:
Workout attendance
Community engagement
Financial need
First time race or distance
Big, bold or barrier-breaking goal or race
Race training commitment
Input from chapter lead
APPLICATION PROCESS
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To apply you must:
Complete the Rosterfy form here.
On the form you will be asked to select top race preferences from the eligible Achilles races listed in the drop-down; you can also submit another race under “other.”
Submit a personal essay
• Upload a letter of recommendation (not from chapter lead; guide, coach, or friend acceptable).If applying as an athlete-guide team, your guide must be on Rosterfy and you must submit a letter from your guide.
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Anyone who can vouch for you and why you are a good candidate for the Cordani Family Grant can provide a letter of recommendation - it can be a family member, friend, guide, coach, other athlete etc. The letter should include how they know you and why, in their opinion, you should be considered for the grant. Letters of recommendation cannot be submitted by Achilles staff or chapter leads.
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The letter should include how the author knows you and why, in their opinion, you should be considered for the grant. The letter can include the athlete’s background, achievements and personal qualities (ex., dedication, resilience etc.) that align with Achilles values and the Cordani Family Grant’s mission to break down barriers to start lines for athletes with disabilities.
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Grant acceptances will be communicated in early September.
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No. Each athlete can receive only one grant per year. In future years, priority will be given to athletes who haven’t received a grant before.
RACES
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The grant can be used for the following races in this Summer 2025 application window:
2025 Achilles NYC Workout and Achilles New Jersey Hope & Possibility®5K & 10K, September 27-28
2025 Marine Corps Marathon, October 26
2026 Chevron Houston Marathon / Aramco Houston Half Marathon / Houston 5K, January 17-18
2026 Los Angeles Marathon / Los Angeles 5K, March 7-8
2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon*, March
2026 Bank of America Boston Marathon**, April 20
2026 RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, May
2026 BMW Berlin Marathon***
2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon* / Chicago 5K, October
* Challenging to gain entry.
**Time qualifier. Challenging to gain entry.
*** Strict race finish cutoff time.
There will also be opportunities on the form to insert another race or a dream race of your choosing. Priority, however, will be given to Achilles-supported races listed above.
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No, the list of races covered by the grant also includes other distances, including 5ks and half marathons. You can also include your own preferred race on the form.
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The grant is awarded for a specific race or specific races. However, if you do not gain entry into your preferred race:
You may use the grant the following year for the same race, or
Apply it to another Achilles-supported travel race of equal distance with local chapter approval.
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Receiving a grant provides funding assistance - it is not a guarantee that you will get entry into your selected race. You will have to register for your race with the race organizer separately and gain entry through them. Keep in mind that some races are difficult to get into and some require qualifying times. The Achilles team can help direct you on this process but usually cannot get you registrations for the races
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You can input your race in the “other” or “dream race” section for races open for registration in 2025. Our 2026 Cordani Family Grant window will open around December 2025 and include a full cycle of the Achilles-supported races (including the Marathon Tour races) that open for registration in 2026.
FUNDING AND REIMBURSEMENT
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The grant covers race-related costs only, such as race registration fees, travel, accommodations. Coverage is limited to the amount awarded. Expenses beyond your grant amount will not be reimbursed.
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No. Grant funds must only be used for race-related costs.
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The grant is awarded for a specific race or specific races. However, if you do not gain entry into your preferred race:
You may use the grant the following year for the same race, or
Apply it to another Achilles-supported travel race of equal distance with local chapter approval.
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Grant recipients will be eligible for funding only after gaining official race entry. Registration must be handled separately with the race organizer.
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Funding is provided in the form of reimbursement of expenses. Once you have gained acceptance into your race, confirmation of race registration and expenses and receipts should be submitted here for reimbursement. Chapter leaders will also be able to help with pay registration fees and race-related expenses for athletes requiring assistance.
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The grant provides funding only up to $1,000/$1,500 and you will have to fund the rest independently.
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If you are unable to race due to injury, illness, or unforeseen circumstances, you must notify Achilles promptly. If you do not race for other reasons, you may be required to return or reimburse any grant funds already used.
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You cannot promote or fundraise for other organizations for the race you will be participating in with the Cordani Family Grant.
ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES
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By accepting the grant, you agree to:
Keep Achilles updated on your training progress.
Wear an Achilles shirt during the race.
Participate in your selected race and official Achilles events (e.g., pre-race dinner).
Share and post race photos as requested.
Submit a race recap or personal reflection (written, video, or photo).
Represent Achilles positively and respectfully.
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Yes. You grant Achilles the right to use your name, voice, and likeness for promotional, marketing, and public relations purposes related to the grant program.
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You cannot promote or fundraise for other organizations for the race you will be participating in with the Cordani Family Grant.
“Thanks to support from Achilles, I know that there will be opportunities for me to travel to new places and compete in races. It's so special to me that I’ve not only been able to find an organization that supports me, but also one that allows me to combine two of my passions, sports and travel, and make my dreams a reality.”
-Carolyn Cannistraro, Achilles New Jersey