Grants for adaptive sports equipment

Last updated November 14, 2026. Every listing links to its source.

Grants

• Athletes Helping Athletes Adaptive Bike Grant

  Grants a custom-built adaptive bike with the full cost covered; the program appears focused on children.

  Road Runner Sports

  Eligible athletes (criteria not stated)

  Full cost of an adaptive bike

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion grant list (Apr 2025), not the funder's own page; confirm current terms.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• CAF Adaptive Sports Equipment Grant

  Pays the vendor directly for the full cost of approved adaptive sports equipment (from CAF's preferred vendors) for people with permanent physical disabilities. General mobility, medical and prosthetic components are not covered.

  Challenged Athletes Foundation

  People in the US or US territories with a permanent physical disability that impacts mobility, balance, coordination or limb function; medical verification and one year of financial documents required. No age limit stated.

  Full cost of approved equipment; value varies by equipment type

  Deadline: 2025-26 cycle: applications Oct 1 - Nov 14, 2025; review Nov 2025 - Jan 2026; awards late March 2026. Applicants may apply for only one CAF grant type per year.

  To confirm: Dates are for the 2025-26 cycle; next cycle likely similar timing (fall) but not confirmed. CAF program page could not be fetched.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• CAF Annual Grant Program (Access for Athletes)

  CAF's annual grants fund equipment, training, coaching or competition costs for athletes with physical disabilities; in 2026 CAF reported 4,033 grants worth more than $7 million across all 50 states and 36 countries. Includes a 'Funding Toward Equipment' option separate from the Equipment Grant.

  Challenged Athletes Foundation

  Athletes with physical disabilities (kids and adults); financial documentation required.

  Varies; 2026 total $7M+ across 4,033 grants

  Deadline: Annual fall application window (2025-26 window was Oct 1 - Nov 14, 2025)

  To confirm: Window dates taken from the Equipment Grant guide for the same cycle; 2026-27 window not confirmed.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Chive Charities Grants

  Funds items such as adaptive tricycles, therapy equipment, robotic walkers, mobility items and accessible vans that improve quality of life or are medical needs not fully covered by insurance.

  Chive Charities

  People with rare medical diagnoses, underserved veterans and military families, and first responders

  Deadline: Ongoing (weekly grants to individuals)

  To confirm: Info from UIC DSCC resource directory.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• First Hand Foundation Grants

  Grants for critical medical expenses for children such as medical equipment, surgeries, prescriptions and travel; apply any time, reviewed monthly.

  First Hand Foundation (Cerner)

  Uninsured or underinsured children up to age 18; one grant per child every 12 months

  Deadline: Rolling; reviewed monthly

  To confirm: Medical-equipment focus; whether sports equipment qualifies is not stated. Info from UIC DSCC resource directory.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• GoHawkeye Foundation Grants

  Outdoor adaptive sports equipment grants and sports experience grants for adaptive individuals and organizations.

  GoHawkeye Foundation

  Adaptive individuals and organizations in the US

  Deadline: Two cycles a year, ending June 30 and December 31

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion grant list (Apr 2025), not the funder's own page; confirm current terms.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• High Fives Foundation Empowerment Fund

  Grants for people with life-changing injuries to return to an active life, including adaptive sports.

  High Fives Foundation

  People with life-changing injuries such as spinal cord or brain injuries, amputations or other mobility limitations

  To confirm: Info from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's grant list, not the foundation's own page.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• IM ABLE Foundation Programs

  Provides handcycles, adaptive athletic gear and training programs for people with disabilities.

  IM ABLE Foundation

  Kids and adults with disabilities

  To confirm: Info from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's grant list; IM ABLE may focus on a regional area - not confirmed.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Independence Fund Mobility & Adaptive Sports

  Mobility devices, adaptive sports support, advocacy and caregiver retreats for severely wounded veterans.

  The Independence Fund

  Severely wounded veterans and their caregivers (adults)

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion grant list (Apr 2025), not the funder's own page; confirm current terms.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• K2 Adventures Foundation Grants

  Grants for people with disabilities; reviewed quarterly.

  K2 Adventures Foundation

  No age limit stated

  Usually up to $5,000

  Deadline: Reviewed quarterly

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion grant list (Apr 2025), not the funder's own page; confirm current terms.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Move United Member Organization (Chapter) Grants

  Move United gives nearly $1 million a year to local member organizations for youth, veteran and education/training adaptive sports programs; families benefit through their local chapter rather than applying directly.

  Move United

  Move United member organizations (not individuals)

  Nearly $1 million per year total

  To confirm: Organization-level grants; individuals should ask their local chapter.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Semper Fi & America's Fund Assistance

  Financial relief during hospitalization and recovery, adaptive equipment, housing, transportation and career support for wounded, ill and injured service members and their families.

  Semper Fi & America's Fund

  Service members, veterans and their families (adults)

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion list; adaptive sports specifics not confirmed on the Fund's own page.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Team Catapult Grant Program

  Grants toward training and equipment for physically challenged members.

  Team Catapult

  Physically challenged members

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion grant list (Apr 2025), not the funder's own page; confirm current terms.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Team PossAbilities Grants & Scholarships

  Grants for members with physical disabilities toward quality-of-life, reintegration and member-specific needs.

  Team PossAbilities

  Free members with physical disabilities (e.g. amputation, stroke, SCI, TBI, MS, spina bifida)

  Deadline: Applications June 1 - August 31

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion grant list (Apr 2025), not the funder's own page; confirm current terms.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• The Active Fund

  Grants toward adaptive sports and recreation equipment for people paralyzed by an acquired spinal cord injury, plus a $500 'Try It First' grant toward program or rental fees at an adaptive sports program.

  Kelly Brush Foundation

  US residents with paralysis from an acquired spinal cord injury. Not eligible: spina bifida, cerebral palsy, MS, post-polio, Guillain-Barre, ALS and other conditions. No minimum age stated; applicants under 13 may have help completing the form.

  No set min/max; grants rarely exceed $5,000, average about $3,500; Try It First grant $500

  Deadline: Spring and fall cycles; deadlines fall on a Wednesday at 5pm ET; no late applications. Past recipients wait 2 years to reapply.

  To confirm: Exact 2026-27 dates not in guidelines; a third-party listing showed a 23-Sep-2026 deadline (unverified). Covers kids and adults with SCI.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Triumph Foundation Grants & Equipment Exchange

  KMF Grant, awards and an Equipment & Supply Exchange for people with spinal cord injury who face insurance gaps or financial hardship.

  Triumph Foundation

  People with spinal cord injury

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion grant list (Apr 2025), not the funder's own page; confirm current terms.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Medical Grants

  Grants to families toward children's medical costs not fully covered by insurance; the list we read says this can include wheelchairs, therapies and adaptive sports gear.

  UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation

  Children under 17 (as listed)

  To confirm: Info from Wheels in Motion grant list (Apr 2025), not the funder's own page; confirm current terms.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program (VA-SPORTS)

  Federal grants to organizations that run large-scale adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and service members; veterans benefit by joining a funded local program rather than applying themselves. FY2026 round: $16 million, about 100 awards.

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Veterans Sports Programs

  Applicants: non-federal entities with significant experience running large-scale adaptive sports programs. Participants served: veterans and Armed Forces members with disabilities (not non-veterans).

  Up to $750,000 per organization for 12 months; $16,000,000 total in FY2026

  Deadline: FY2026 round closed May 13, 2026, 3pm ET via Grants.gov; performance period from about Sept 30, 2026

  To confirm: Adults/veterans only. FY2027 notice not yet seen; usually published in spring.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Variety Freedom Program

  Variety chapters give grants to children and children's organizations for mobility equipment including adaptive bicycles and trikes, manual and power wheelchairs, standing and walking aids; families apply through their local Variety office.

  Variety - the Children's Charity of the United States

  Children with disabilities and children's organizations (criteria set by local chapter)

  To confirm: Page lists no age/income rules or application steps; local chapters (e.g. Variety of Western PA 'My Bike', Variety St. Louis, Variety Wisconsin) run their own programs.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

Borrow equipment first

• Angel City Sports Adaptive Sports Equipment Loaner Program

  Los Angeles, CA

  Lends racing wheelchairs, throwing chairs and sport wheelchairs (tennis/basketball). Fill out an interest form; staff follow up to check skill level and fit.

  Angel City Sports

  Deadline: Rolling

  To confirm: Page does not state age, location limits, cost or loan length.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• BORP Adaptive Cycling Center (Berkeley) rentals

  Berkeley, CA

  One of the world's largest adaptive bike fleets (handcycles, recumbent trikes, side-by-side tandems and more) at Aquatic Park, Berkeley, with hourly day-of rentals during open hours (typically Thu and Sat), group rides and custom programs for schools. New riders can book a free 30-minute first-time call.

  Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP)

  Children, youth and adults with physical disabilities or visual impairments, plus family and friends; active BORP membership requested

  Hourly rental rates not listed

  Deadline: Closed after Nov 21, 2026 for predicted flooding; hopes to reopen Feb 2027; closed every January

  To confirm: No minimum age stated.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• BORP Adaptive Cycling in Golden Gate Park (free)

  San Francisco, CA

  Free, first-come first-served adaptive bike use in Golden Gate Park, funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

  Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP)

  Kids and adults with physical disabilities or visual impairments and their families

  Free

  Deadline: Saturdays June-October, 10am-3pm

  To confirm: Seasonal; check BORP calendar.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• FAAST Rec & Fitness AT Device Loan Program

  FL

  Florida's state assistive technology program ran a loan and demonstration program for handcycles, sports chairs and wheelchair exercise equipment, funded by a Craig H. Neilsen Foundation grant (Oct 2021).

  Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) - Florida's state AT program

  People with spinal cord injuries in Florida

  No borrowing fee mentioned

  To confirm: Described as a two-year grant program starting 2021-22; may have ended - confirm with FAAST. Every state has an AT Act program that may lend devices; sports gear varies.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

Adaptive gear makers

• Enabling Technologies (sit-skis)

  Denver, CO

  Denver maker of adaptive sit-skis: the Bi-Unique introductory bi-ski used by many adaptive programs, the higher-performance Dynamique bi-ski, Pique and Monique mono-skis, and mono-ski accessories. Also offers servicing/repair and sells used gear.

  Enabling Technologies

  Sit-skiers (kid sizes not stated)

  To confirm: Prices not shown. Repair and used-gear pages seen in search results, not read.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Ottobock Running & Sport Prostheses

  Makes running and sport prosthetic feet for below- and above-knee amputees, child and adult: 1E90 Sprinter (elite running), 1E91 Runner (jogging to competition), 1E93 Runner Junior for active children up to about age 13 (max 45 kg), and 1E95 Challenger for high-impact team sports like basketball and football. A clinic locator helps find a provider.

  Ottobock

  Children and adults with lower-limb amputation; Runner Junior for kids up to about 13

  To confirm: Prices not listed; usually fitted through a prosthetic clinic (page offers a clinic locator).

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• PER4MAX Sport Wheelchairs

  Grand Prairie, TX

  Texas maker of sport wheelchairs: Thunder Basketball and Titanium Thunder Basketball, Thunder Tennis, Thunder Softball, Thunder Adjustable, the X-Fit training chair, and the Thunder Mini multi-sport chair designed for youth and junior athletes.

  PER4MAX

  Wheelchair athletes; Thunder Mini made for youth/junior players

  Starting prices (as listed): Thunder Mini $3,445; Thunder Basketball/Tennis $3,895; Thunder Softball $3,995; X-Fit $4,345; Thunder Adjustable $4,595; Titanium Thunder Basketball $7,745

  To confirm: Prices are 'starting at' and may change.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

• Top End (High Performance Mobility)

  Pinellas Park, FL

  Maker of sport-specific wheelchairs and handcycles since 1986: racing chairs, basketball chairs, rugby chairs, three-wheel tennis chairs and handcycles, built for sports and recreation use only. Listed by the Challenged Athletes Foundation as a Premier Grant Partner vendor.

  Top End / High Performance Mobility (formerly Invacare Top End)

  Wheelchair athletes (sizes for kids not stated)

  To confirm: Factory showroom visits by appointment only. Company's own website not read.

  Source, checked November 14, 2026

Questions people ask

Are there grants for adaptive sports equipment?

Yes. This page lists 19 grants that help pay for adaptive sports equipment, fees or travel, from national foundations and sports groups. Each card says who qualifies and the amount when the funder publishes it.

How do I pay for a sport wheelchair or sit-ski?

Families often combine a grant with fundraising and help from a local adaptive program. Try equipment first through a loan program or the adaptive program's own gear before buying, since sport chairs and sit-skis are sized to the athlete.

Do I need to be a competitive athlete to get a grant?

No. Some grants are for beginners and recreational athletes and others are for athletes training for competition. Read who each grant is for on its card and on the funder's page.