Unlocking Opportunities: Grants & Scholarships Guide

Navigating life with a limb difference often means navigating systems - medical, financial, recreational - that weren’t built with your family in mind. But there are organizations out there that see you, celebrate you, and want to help. Whether you're seeking adaptive sports equipment, travel support, camp scholarships, or unforgettable experiences, this guide brings together grants and programs that uplift families and empower kids to thrive.

We’ve gathered these resources because they’re often hard to find unless someone mentions them, you stumble across them, or you’re deep in a search. We’ve been there. So we’re putting it all here - along with a few personal stories - to make the path a little easier and a lot more joyful.

Athletic Grants & Equipment Support

These programs help cover costs for adaptive sports equipment, competition fees, and travel - making it easier for kids to play, compete, and grow.

• Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)

  • Supports: Equipment, training, competition fees

  • Eligibility: Individuals with permanent physical disabilities

  • Timeline: Annual cycle (Oct–Nov)

  • CAF Grants

• Dare2Tri Ability Fund

  • Supports: Adaptive equipment or equipment upgrade, sports-specific prosthetics, coaching & training, and race/travel assistance.

  • Eligibility: Active Dare2Tri Participant

  • Timeline: September

  • Ron Weinert Ability Fund

• Move United Equipment Grant

  • Supports: Adaptive sports equipment

  • Eligibility: Athletes with physical disabilities

  • Timeline: Year-round

  • Move United

• Tatyana McFadden Award

  • Supports: Travel reimbursement for youth athletes

  • Eligibility: Ages 4–18 competing in Move United events

  • Timeline: Summer (for Hartford Nationals)

  • McFadden Award

• AdaptX

  • Supports: Equipment, training, camps

  • Eligibility: Youth and adults with physical disabilities

  • Timeline: Fall cycle

  • AdaptX Grants

• Athletes Helping Athletes

  • Supports: Handcycles for kids

  • Eligibility: Under 18 with physical disabilities

  • Timeline: Rolling

  • AHA Grants

• Scout Bassett Grant

  • Supports: Equipment, training, travel, and costs associated with participating in elite sporting events and competitions

  • Eligibility: Elite Female athletes with Paralympic aspirations

  • Timeline: Varies

  • Scout Bassett Grant

• Hi Fives Foundation

  • Supports: Adaptive sports equipment, healing network, medical equipment, programs, living expenses, and emergency care/injury expense

  • Eligibility: Individuals recovering from life-altering injuries in pursuing goals related to outdoor adventure sports.

  • Timeline: Winter & Summer

  • Empowerment Fund

• Stronger Than You Think

  • Supports: prosthetics for women and girls with limb loss, promoting water safety education to prevent drownings, and equipping Paralympic athletes with the resources they need to compete

  • Eligibility: Prosthetic user, organizations that promote water safety, paralympic athletes

  • Timeline: As Requested

  • STYT Grants

• IM ABLE Foundation

  • Supports: Adaptive sports gear and group fitness programs.

  • Eligibility: Individuals with physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral challenges residing in the Mid-Atlantic region

  • Timeline: Quarterly

  • IM ABLE Grants

Beyond Sports: Music, Mentorship & Magic

Not every opportunity is about athletics. Some programs offer connection, creativity, and celebration in other beautiful ways.

• Team IMPACT
  Pairs youth ages 6-16 with disabilities or serious illnesses with collegiate sports teams for a 2-year mentorship.
  Learn more

• Do It For The Love Foundation
  Brings live music experiences to people with life-threatening illnesses, disabilities, or trauma.
  Apply here

• Jordan Thomas Foundation

  Scholarships awarded to young people with congenital or acquired amputations designed to help further their education, exploring career paths, or following their passions.

  Scholarship Info

• Disabled&

  Disabled Fashion Girlies unite with events that give a little sparkle to our unique kiddos. Sponsorships may be available for some events.

  Events

Camp Scholarships & Fundraising Platforms

Many adaptive camps offer scholarships or fundraising platforms to help families attend:

• Camp No Limits
  Offers scholarships and peer-to-peer fundraising tools for families. We’ve used their platform to raise funds for Mackenzie and other campers over the past few years.
  Camp Info

• Variety of Illinois
  Provides adaptive equipment and inclusion opportunities for children with disabilities.
  Variety Grants

• Cerner Charitable Foundation (Oracle Health Foundation)
  Offers medical grants for children under 18, including equipment and travel.
  Apply here

• Nubability Athletics

  Provides scholarships to cover camp registration fees

  Scholarship Info

Note on Eligibility & Financial Need

While not directly noted, many of the grants listed here are awarded based on financial need. Families may be asked to provide documentation such as income statements, tax returns, or personal letters explaining their financial circumstances. These requirements help ensure that support reaches those who need it most - but they can feel intimidating. If you're unsure how to approach this, some organizations offer guidance or sample letters to help you get started.

Beyond financial need, each grant or program may have additional eligibility criteria - such as age, type of disability, geographic location, or athletic level. Be sure to review each opportunity carefully to understand who it’s designed to support. If you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to the organization directly - many are happy to help families navigate the process.

Support the Mission

Many of these incredible programs rely on donations to continue serving the disability community in meaningful, life-changing ways. If your family is in a position to give, we encourage you to consider donating to the organizations listed here. Your contribution helps ensure that more children can access adaptive equipment, attend inclusive camps, and experience the joy of belonging - regardless of financial barriers.

Mackenzie’s Experience: From Prosthetics to Podiums

Last year, Mackenzie received a Move United Equipment Grant that helped us purchase her first Koalaa Prosthetic - an empowering tool for play, independence, and sport. This year, she received a Challenged Athletes Foundation grant that covered registration fees for some of her competitions. These grants didn’t just ease financial strain - they opened doors to community, confidence, and joy. We would not be able to give her these experiences without the generosity of these organizations and the communities supporting them.

Scroll to the bottom where you'll see what Mackenzie accomplished in her first competitive season!

Why This Matters

Families navigating limb differences often face financial strain from medical costs, travel, and specialized equipment. These grants and programs don’t just offer relief - they offer recognition. They say: your child deserves to play, to belong, to shine.

We hope this guide helps you find the support you need - and maybe even discover something magical along the way. If we missed any, please let us know! email us at info@limbdifferencecollective.org