If a physical disability has made sports or fitness feel out of reach because of cost, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) might be able to help. Since it started, CAF has awarded over 60,000 grants for adaptive equipment, training, and competition costs, and many recipients come from households earning under $50,000 a year.
CAF isn’t one grant. It’s several, each built for a different need. Find the one that fits you below.
Do You Qualify for Any CAF Grant?
Before diving into specific programs, you’ll want to know:
- You must have a permanent physical disability that affects mobility, neuromuscular function, balance, or motor control. You’ll need to submit medical verification of your disability.
- CAF does not fund chronic pain, hearing, cognitive, or developmental disabilities
- Grants go to individuals, not teams, and are not available to non-disabled applicants
- All ages and skill levels can apply, from total beginners to Paralympic hopefuls
You can apply for one main grant per year. Fitness membership grants are separate and can be applied for in addition.
What Grants Does CAF Offer?
There are several different grant programs that have different requirements.
What is it? CAF’s core, globally available grant program, and the one most people apply for first.
What can you get? Help with adaptive equipment costs
Who’s eligible? Anyone meeting CAF’s general disability criteria above and live in the United States. Priority goes to applicants without access to other funding sources.
How do you apply? Applications open every fall, and awards are announced the following March. Apply through the CAF grant portal.
What is it? CAF’s core, globally available grant program, and the one most people apply for first.
What can you get? Help with long-distance travel for competitions, event entry fees, coaching and training expenses, and even small equipment purchases (like tires or parts) to help maintain your existing equipment.
Who’s eligible? Anyone meeting CAF’s general disability criteria above, worldwide. Priority goes to applicants without access to other funding sources.
How do you apply? Applications open every fall, and awards are announced the following March. Apply through the CAF grant portal.
What is it? A grant specifically for athletes with lower limb differences or amputations who need sport-specific prosthetics.
What can you get? A sport-specific Össur prosthesis designed to support athletic performance, not everyday walking.
Who’s eligible? Athletes with a lower limb difference or amputation who live in the United States. you need to have a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) also.
How do you apply? This program accepts applications year-round, with decisions typically made within 60 days. Apply through the CAF grant portal.
What is it? A year-round program built specifically for veterans, active military, and first responders with physical injuries.
What can you get? Support for adaptive sports equipment, training, and competition, tailored to the needs of injured service members and first responders.
Who’s eligible? U.S. military members, honorably discharged veterans, and first responders with a qualifying physical injury or condition. You’ll need a letter of recommendation from a coach, teammate, friend or professional.
How do you apply? Applications are accepted year-round, with decisions typically made within 90 days. Apply through the CAF grant portal.
What is it? A grant that covers gym membership rather than equipment, giving eligible athletes free access to stay active.
What can you get? A complimentary EōS Fitness Platinum Plus membership that includes one free geust pass per visit. You ahve to use it at least four times per year or you will lose it.
Who’s eligible? People with a permanent physical disability who are at least 13 years old and live close to a participating location.
How do you apply? You can apply for this even if you’ve already used your one main grant for the year. Apply through the CAF grant portal.
What is it? A grant that covers gym membership rather than equipment, giving eligible athletes free access to stay active.
What can you get? A complimentary YMCA membership that also covers up to three additional household members or caregivers, at select locations only. If you get one, you have to use it at least four times a year or you will lose it.
Who’s eligible? People with permanent physical disabilitiies who live in San Diego County CA and want to participate in sports or fitness. The person applying must be at least 3 years old.
How do you apply? You can apply for this even if you’ve already used your one main grant for the year. Apply through the CAF grant portal.
What is it? A regional grant specifically for Idaho residents.
What can you get? Adaptive equipment, along with competition, training and sports-related support.
Who’s eligible? Idaho residents who have a permanent physical disability.
How do you apply? Accepted year-round, with decisions typically made within 30 days. Apply through the CAF grant portal.
What Documents Will You Need?
Across most CAF grants, expect to provide:
- Medical verification of your disability (a one-time upload, good for future applications too)
- Financial documents, like tax forms or benefit letters
- One or more photos, ideally showing you being active
Some grants may ask for a bit more, so check the specific program page before you apply.
What If CAF Isn’t the Right Fit?
If you don’t quite meet CAF’s criteria, or you need help outside of sports and fitness, our guides to financial help for disabled people and private grants for individuals with disabilities cover other options.
Relief Recap
Cost shouldn’t be the reason someone with a disability can’t get back to the sport or fitness routine that matters to them. CAF built these programs to close that gap, and there’s a real chance one of them fits your situation. Take a look at your documents, pick the program that matches your needs, and apply through the CAF portal.
