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The Active Fund
The Fall Active Fund Is Closed
Stay Tuned for When the Spring Active Fund Grant Cycle is Announced. Scroll for Guidelines & Info.
The Kelly Brush Foundation is dedicated to making active lifestyles a reality for anyone with a spinal cord injury. Life is better active!
Through the Active Fund, we provide grants for individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury to purchase adaptive sports equipment. We believe in the power of sport and recreation to foster inclusion and overcome the barriers of paralysis. We have helped over 1,800 people from 50 states purchase handcycles, monoskis, sport chairs, racing chairs, hockey sleds, and much more.
If you need assistance filling out the application please email: [email protected]
- The applicant must fill out the application form unless the applicant is younger than the age of 13 or the applicant’s disability prevents the use of a computer. Regardless, the applicant must contribute and consent to all answers.
- We do not make any exceptions for late applications. All components of an application must be received by the deadline. If you do not get a confirmation email after hitting submit, please call 802-846-5298 ext 103.
- If you have previously received a grant from the Kelly Brush Foundation, you cannot apply for another 2 years. This does not apply for “Try It First” grant recipients, who are eligible the following cycle.
- If you have previously been denied by the Kelly Brush Foundation, you may reapply at any time, paying special attention to improve upon the reason for denial.
- There are three possible decisions an applicant may receive:
- Award (either full or partial)
- Denial
- “Try It First” Grant – an award of $500 to go towards program or rental fees at an adaptive sports program to gain experience with the equipment applied for.
- While we do not have a minimum or maximum award amount, the average grant is generally around $3,500.
- We only pay reputable adaptive sports equipment vendors directly. We DO NOT provide funding to the grant recipient or reimburse for equipment already purchased.
- If you receive a grant, we may use your first name, state of residence, photos, and answers to specific questions for marketing purposes. But more importantly, we do want to stay in touch and hear about your experience with your new equipment.
Got Questions? Click here to view our FAQs.
Please Note – meeting eligibility requirements is not a guarantee of a grant award.
Eligible Applicants
Individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury who reside in the US.
Other conditions are not eligible for our grant programs, including (but not limited to) spina bifida, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, post-polio, Guillain-Barre, Strohl Syndrome, ALS, all other neuropathies, and all other conditions causing disability.
Eligible Equipment
Any piece of sports or recreation equipment specifically designed for people with disabilities that allow an applicant to be active. It should be noted that first-hand experience using the desired equipment in the environment you intend to use it is extremely important to the Grant Committee.
We give preference to equipment that provides some fitness benefit. We do, however, consider applications for power equipment where the applicant can persuasively explain why that type of equipment is the best and most appropriate piece of equipment for him/her to live an active lifestyle.
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We will not consider applications for:
- Non-adaptive sports equipment such as standard bicycles, skis/boots/poles, automotive equipment, etc.
- Accessory upgrades (such as wheelsets)
- Everyday wheelchairs
- FES equipment
- Motorized wheelchair attachments
- Indoor exercise equipment such as trainers (for handcycles), gym equipment, stationary bikes or rowing machines
- Guns and bows (only the adaptive equipment that might be used to operate them)
- All other non-adaptive equipment
Quotes that include accessories such as sport computers, tee shirts, premium wheelsets, and other accessories will be reduced by the amount of such accessories when considered by the Grants Committee.
Before Beginning:
The application is done in it’s entirety through the online portal, which will prompt you to register and create an account. You will need to upload all documents to that portal, we cannot accept any attachments via email or post.
Application Checklist:
What you will need to complete the online application.
→ Documentation of Paralysis – A letter on the letterhead of a treating physician or primary care provider.
→ Vendor Quotes – 2 personalized quotes from reputable adaptive sports equipment vendors.
→ Financial Documentation – Your relevant financial documentation of income and/or wealth.
→ Personal Recommendation – A recommendation from a coach, instructor, peer you plan to be active with, or someone else that can speak to how the equipment will affect your life.
→ Photos & Video (Optional)
For full application information and tips, please read the Guidelines:
The Fall Active Fund Is Closed.
Stay Tuned for When the Spring Active Fund Grant Cycle is Announced.
