If you’re living with a disability, you already know how hard it can be to pay for things insurance won’t cover. Adaptive equipment. Rehabilitation. Special treatments. Education or training related to your disability.
There’s a grant that could help with some of those costs. It’s called the Christian Fund for the Disabled (CFD), and it’s run by Joni and Friends, a Christian disability ministry.
Eligible applicants could receive up to $2,500 toward a current disability-related need.
It’s not for everyone, and you’ll need a sponsor and several documents to apply. But if this sounds like it could fit your situation, here’s what you need to know.
What Is the Christian Fund for the Disabled?
The Christian Fund for the Disabled is a matching grant program from Joni and Friends.
The program can help people with disabilities pay for certain needs when insurance, Social Security, or other funding sources aren’t available to cover the cost.
Individual grants may be used for things such as adaptive equipment, rehabilitation, special treatments, and certain disability-related education or training expenses.
This isn’t a general hardship grant, though. You can’t simply apply for cash to use however you want, and individual applicants need a sponsoring organization.
Who Can Apply?
The Christian Fund for the Disabled serves people with disabilities who have specific, current needs.
Individual applicants must have a permanent street address, and Joni and Friends does not provide international grants.
Your request also needs to involve a current disability-related need that isn’t already being covered by insurance, Social Security, or another funding source.
Most importantly, you’ll need a sponsor.
Why Do You Need a Sponsor?
Individual applications must be sponsored by a church, Christian organization, or Joni and Friends Area Ministry office.
This isn’t just someone who signs your application.
The sponsoring organization must be willing to receive and distribute the grant funds on your behalf. In other words, Joni and Friends doesn’t simply send the grant money directly to you.
Sponsors are also generally expected to provide matching funds toward the request.
If you’re unable to secure matching funds, don’t automatically assume you can’t apply. Joni and Friends says it may consider applications without matching funds, but your sponsoring church or organization must provide a letter explaining why matching funds aren’t available.
That doesn’t guarantee funding, but it gives applicants without matching support a possible path forward.
What Can the Grant Pay For?
For individual applicants, eligible expenses may include:
- Adaptive needs and equipment;
- Rehabilitation;
- Special treatments; and
- Certain training or special education expenses.
The training and education category can include Christian college scholarships of up to $2,500 as well as seminars or conferences focused on disability-related issues.
The program has a specific purpose, so it doesn’t cover every financial need a person with a disability may have.
Joni and Friends lists several expenses that aren’t eligible, including general living expenses, debts, non-prescription drugs, expenses already covered by another funding source, and non-current or non-essential requests.
If your biggest concern right now is paying for rent, food, utilities, or another everyday expense, this probably isn’t the right grant for that need.
Our hardship grants list includes other programs that may be a better fit.
You can also check our guides to private grants for people with disabilities and financial help for people with disabilities for additional resources.
How Much Can You Get?
The maximum CFD grant for an individual is $2,500.
That’s the maximum, not a guaranteed award. The amount you may receive will depend on your request and the foundation’s decision.
There’s another important limitation to know before applying: Joni and Friends says applicants are typically restricted to one grant award.
If you’ve already received assistance through this program, contact the organization before preparing another application to find out whether you’re eligible to apply again.
What Do You Need to Apply?
This application takes some preparation, especially because your sponsoring organization has paperwork to complete too.
The required materials include:
- A completed application and budget;
- A signed endorsement letter from your sponsoring organization;
- Supporting documentation related to your disability and request;
- A written supplier quote for each item you’re requesting funding for;
- A Hold Harmless Agreement signed by the applicant;
- A Statement of Faith signed by your sponsoring organization; and
- A W-9 from your sponsoring organization.
Joni and Friends says supporting documents must be scanned. Photos of documents taken with a phone aren’t accepted.
Because incomplete applications can’t be considered, it’s worth going through the requirements carefully before submitting everything.
How Do You Apply?
Start by finding a church, Christian organization, or Joni and Friends Area Ministry office willing to sponsor your request.
Once you have a sponsor, gather your supporting documents, price quotes, and required forms.
You can review the requirements and start the process through the official Christian Fund for the Disabled page.
Because both you and your sponsor have paperwork to complete, don’t wait until the last few days before the deadline.
When Is the Deadline?
The current deadline for completed applications is November 1, 2026.
Joni and Friends operates four CFD grant cycles during the year:
- February through May;
- May through August;
- August through November; and
- November through February.
If you’re trying to apply during the current cycle, aim to have everything submitted by November 1, 2026.
If you miss that deadline, check with Joni and Friends about the next application cycle and its specific deadline.
Relief Recap
The Christian Fund for the Disabled could provide up to $2,500 for certain disability-related expenses, including adaptive equipment, rehabilitation, special treatments, and qualifying education or training costs.
You’ll need a church, Christian organization, or Joni and Friends Area Ministry office to sponsor your request, and sponsors are generally expected to provide matching funds. Applicants who can’t obtain matching funds may still be considered if their sponsor submits an explanation.
For the current cycle, completed applications are due November 1, 2026.
If this grant doesn’t cover the type of expense you need help with, don’t stop here. Our guide to hardship grants for low income Americans includes other programs that may be a better match.
