Achilles helps connect athletes with disabilities with volunteer guides to run, walk or roll in a safe, supportive and fun environment. Below is a list of organizations who offer grant opportunities for travel and adaptive running equipment for youth, adults and veterans with disabilities.

*All descriptions are sourced from the organizations. This list is not exhaustive and does not represent an endorsement of any one vendor or organization. These are organizations that members of the Achilles community have worked with.

Adaptive Running Equipment Grants

• Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF): CAF’s flagship grant program aims to remove the barriers that exist between adaptive athletes and their pursuit of sport and fitness.

• Dare2Tri: 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.

• 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.

• Kelly Brush Foundation: Through the Active Fund, the Kelly Brush Foundation provides grants for individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury to purchase adaptive sports equipment.

• Move United: The Move United Athlete Grant is available to youth and adult adaptive athletes with a permanent physical disability.

• Women Sports Foundation: The Scout Bassett Grant, established by The Scout Bassett Fund in partnership with the Women’s Sports Foundation and Athletes for Impact, will provide much-needed financial support to women athletes with disabilities and spotlight these athletes’ extraordinary achievements through original and compelling storytelling.

Affordable Running Blades

• Levitate: The company offers more affordable options for custom prosthetics and running blades at a fraction of the typical cost. They regularly host free demos of their gear around the country.

Youth

• Move United: Young athletes with a disability, between 4-18 years old, who plan on competing at any of the Move United sanctioned competitions in 2024 can apply for The Tatyana McFadden award.

• INCLUDEnyc: INCLUDEnyc connects young people to resources and helps them thrive in school, at work, and in the community.

Members of the Military and First Responders 

• Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF): CAF’s Operation Rebound® program strengthens the mental and physical well-being of members of the U.S. armed forces, active military personnel, as well as U.S. law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics with permanent physical injuries, by providing them opportunities to use sports and fitness to re-integrate into our communities and by empowering them through sports.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund: The Service Member & Family Support Program provides financial assistance and tailored support to help with the expenses incurred during initial hospitalization and throughout recovery.