If you or someone you love is an adaptive athlete, you already know the truth: adaptive sports equipment is expensive. A single mono-ski can cost $4,000 or more. Handcycles, sport wheelchairs, and adaptive climbing gear often carry price tags that put them out of reach for families already stretching every dollar. And that’s before you even think about the cost of getting to a camp, a clinic, or a competition.
That’s where the GoHawkeye Foundation comes in. This grassroots nonprofit has quietly become one of the most approachable funding sources for adaptive athletes in the United States, and today we’re breaking down everything you need to know to apply.
What Is the GoHawkeye Foundation?
The GoHawkeye Foundation is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit started in 2014 by Michael “Hawkeye” Johnson, a longtime instructor with the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program. Hawkeye spent 21 years teaching adaptive athletes and raised $50,000 for the program by hiking 6,000 miles. When he launched GoHawkeye in 2014, he brought that same scrappy, boots-on-the-ground spirit with him.
The results speak for themselves:
- 155+ adaptive individuals helped with grants
- 10 adaptive organizations funded
- Over $450,000 distributed in equipment and experience grants
- 90%+ of funds raised go directly to athletes (a stellar ratio for any nonprofit)
- 4,000+ miles hiked by Hawkeye himself for fundraising
Because GoHawkeye runs entirely on volunteers, almost every dollar donated actually reaches the people who need it. That’s rare, and it’s worth celebrating.
The Two Types of GoHawkeye Grants
The foundation offers two grant categories, and both use the same application process whether you’re applying as an individual athlete or as an organization.
1. Sports Equipment Grant
This grant helps cover the cost of adaptive sports equipment, things like:
- Mono-skis, sit-skis, and outriggers
- Handcycles and racing wheelchairs
- Adaptive climbing and paddling gear
- Sport-specific prosthetics
- Any other adaptive equipment that enables you to participate in your sport
You’ll need to submit a specific quote or estimate from the retailer and here’s an important detail: grant funds are sent directly to the retailer, not to you. This keeps the process transparent and ensures the money goes exactly where it’s supposed to.
2. Sports Experience Grant
This grant funds the experience side of adaptive sports, like:
- Adaptive sports camps
- Clinics and skill-building programs
- Travel to competitions or training events
- Individual adaptive experiences (guided trips, lessons, etc.)
GoHawkeye especially likes to support camps run by established adaptive sports organizations, but they also fund individual experiences. Just like with equipment grants, you’ll need a detailed quote or estimate from the vendor.
How Much Money Can You Get?
Here’s the honest truth: GoHawkeye grants rarely exceed $5,000. This isn’t a “cover everything” kind of grant, and the foundation is upfront about that.
Instead, GoHawkeye positions itself as the organization that helps finish your funding puzzle. They want to see that you’re actively fundraising on your own, applying for other grants, or contributing personal savings. If you’ve raised most of what you need and you’re stuck on that final chunk, you’re exactly the kind of applicant they love to support.
Who Qualifies for GoHawkeye Grants?
The grants are open to:
- Adaptive individuals living in the United States
- Adaptive sports organizations based in the United States
“Adaptive” generally refers to athletes with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities who need modified equipment or programming to participate in sports. GoHawkeye doesn’t publish a rigid list of qualifying diagnoses, which means the door is open to a wide range of athletes.
When Can You Apply?
GoHawkeye runs a biannual grant cycle with two deadlines each year:
- May 1 at 12:00 AM
- November 1 at 12:00 AM
Mark these on your calendar and give yourself plenty of runway to gather documents and write a thoughtful essay.
What You’ll Need to Apply
Before you sit down to fill out the application, gather these items:
- A specific quote or estimate from the retailer (for equipment) or vendor (for experiences)
- Proof of income — either the correct tax form or an SSI letter
- A thoughtful essay explaining who you are, what you want to accomplish, and why this grant matters
- Any supporting documentation the application requests
Critical tip: Black out your Social Security information before submitting any tax documents or SSI letters. Protecting your personal information is essential, and GoHawkeye specifically requests this.
Also worth noting: the application literally will not submit without the correct files attached. Double-check everything before hitting send.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Based on what GoHawkeye tells applicants directly, here’s how to give yourself the best shot:
- Be specific. Don’t say “I want a handcycle.” Say which model, from which retailer, and why it fits your needs.
- Write a thoughtful essay. GoHawkeye explicitly states that “a well thought out essay receives serious consideration.” This isn’t a box to check, it’s your chance to make your case.
- Show your fundraising efforts. Demonstrate that you’ve been actively working toward your goal through other grants, personal savings, or community fundraising.
- Read the Terms & Conditions carefully. This isn’t just legal boilerplate; it can affect whether your application gets considered.
- Ask questions early. If anything is unclear, email hawkeye@gohawkeye.com before the deadline, not after.
How to Apply
Head to the GoHawkeye grants page and choose the application that matches your need — either the Sports Equipment Grant or the Sports Experience Grant. The applications are the same whether you’re applying as an individual or an organization.
Relief Recap
The GoHawkeye Foundation offers a genuine, well-run path to funding adaptive sports equipment and experiences, with grants up to about $5,000 and a friendly, no-nonsense application process. If you’re an adaptive athlete (or you love one), bookmark the May 1 and November 1 deadlines and start gathering your quotes and paperwork now.
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