Applying For Grants

Before becoming an amputee, I was involved in many sports such as road biking, mountain biking, triathlons, scuba diving, kayaking, and hiking. One of my other loves is wildlife photography, sometimes going on a trek to get to my destination. One of my biggest questions was how will I cycle, or mountain bike with only one leg. And I certainly did not want to wait to get my new leg and be efficient with it to do any of my favorite activities. I then discovered an organization called Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) located in Bend, Oregon. They introduced me to adaptive mountain biking, road biking, and adaptive skiing, all of which I can do with one leg.

I signed up for Crank Camp put on by OAS where I was fitted for a Bowhead RX adaptive hand-cycle mountain bike. The camp was for two days of instruction on how to use the bikes and then some rides on some single tracks. One ride was 14 miles of downhill single tracks, rock gardens, and a little bit of climbing. At the end of the two days, I was hooked and wanted to get my own adaptive mountain bike, so I could ride whenever and wherever I wanted to.

I got home from the camp and began my research to find the same bike that I rode in Crank Camp. I was blown away at how much they cost. $16,000, and that was just the base model. When you add on the shocks and all the bells and whistles that I would want for my bike, it comes out to $19,000. I could buy a used car for that amount. How on earth was I going to afford this? This is when I was told about grants that I could apply for to help with the cost of my bike. Not only are the grants for athletic equipment but some grants all off to help with the cost of traveling to an athletic event or the cost of entry fees.

The most well-known foundation is the Challenged Athletes Foundation, but with a little research, I was able to nail down other foundations all well. There are several foundations you can apply to, I am going to list what I have found that amputees do qualify for.

Challenged Athletes Foundation: This is a great foundation that helps all types of athletes with all kinds of disabilities. The maximum amount that they will award is $3,500. Their application process will take some time as there are a lot of applicants for the committee to go through that apply. Their application cycle is only once a year. Go to their website at https://www.challengedathletes.org/ for more information on the grants that they have to offer.
Surfgimp Foundation: Although inspired by an adaptive surfer, the foundation will consider applications for many types of adaptive sports, and other physical activities, including funding or partially funding the purchase of adaptive equipment or prosthetics. They also help cover the cost of equipment, travel, lessons, support personnel, entry fees, etc.
The grant amount that they award ranges from $1,000 to $2,500, and the application window is usually from October 1 and closes on December 1. For more information visit their website at https://surfgimpfoundation.org/
Gohawkeye Foundation: They offer grants biannually for sports equipment and help applicants with funding for adaptive sports experience. Awards are based on funds available at the time of the awards cycle. The dates for each cycle vary from year to year, so it would be a good idea to check their site a few times a month to ensure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply. Applicants are evaluated by essay content quality and financial need. Take time with your essay before submitting your application as this is a big deciding factor on which athlete will be awarded funds. For more information visit their website at https://gohawkeye.org
High Fives Foundation: The High Fives Foundation’s Empowerment Fund offers two grant cycles each year, designed to support individuals recovering from life-altering injuries in pursuing goals related to outdoor adventure sports. I was awarded a $5,000 grant in October of 2024 which helped me with the cost of my Bowhead RX hand-cycle adaptive mountain bike. High Fives offers two grant cycles every year.
Grant Cycle 1
January – March
Application Window: January 1 – 31
Review Period: February
Decision Notifications: By March 1
Grant Cycle 2
July – September
Application Window: July 1 – 31
Review Period: August
Decision Notifications: By September
For more information on their grant process visit their website at https://highfivesfoundation.org/
Victoria’s Victory: The Victory Scholarship program allows those with mobility challenges to have access to the resources they need to lead more independent lives. The foundation accepts applications for the following
Activity-Based Training Hours
Caregiver Hours
Home & Vehicle Modifications
Mobility Equipment
They have a biannual application window, one in fall, and one in spring. The application window dates change from year to year, check their website at https://victoriasvictory.org/ for more information.

Here are a few tips when applying for grants

Take time to read through all the literature that pertains to the grant you are applying for. Every grant is different.
If you have any questions on the application, email, don’t call the foundation to clarify what they are asking of you.
Don’t wait until the last minute to fill out your application. Some foundations will award applicants on a first-come-first first-serve basis. You may be asked to produce letters from medical professionals such as your doctor or physical therapist as to why you would be a good candidate. You also may be asked to produce quotes from vendors you plan on working with if you will be using the funds for athletic equipment. Example: I had to show an itemized quote from the Bowhead company for the adaptive bike I wanted to purchase. Every foundation will ask you for your tax returns.
Don’t rush through the application. If you are asked to write an essay, put some thought into it. It would not hurt to have someone else read it and give you some feedback.
Apply to as many grants as you can that you qualify for.
All this takes time and if you wait until the last minute you may miss out on free money