Established in 1997, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a unique organization that recognizes the athletic greatness inherent in all people with physical challenges and supports their athletic endeavors by providing grants for training, competition, operations, education and equipment needs. Grants are awarded for a wide range of physical challenges, across the entire spectrum of sport. CAF does not discriminate by age, disability, sport or level of ability. The hundreds of athletes assisted by CAF range from world class athletes competing on an international level to those who are recently disabled and are intent on becoming more active. Grants are distributed once a year, with applications being accepted from September 1st to December 1st each year.

Why do challenged athletes need funding?
There are 54 million people living with a disability in the United States alone. Worldwide the numbers are even more staggering. Equipment that allows these individuals to engage in active lifestyles is very expensive – in fact, for many, it’s cost-prohibitive. A single handcycle runs upwards of $2,000 and adaptive training and competition expenses can make moving to the “next level” of athletic performance an insurmountable barrier for many. Funding provided by CAF helps make it possible for more disabled people to gain access to this equipment and to the self-esteem that comes from participation in sports. To ensure these needs are met in perpetuity, CAF has worked hard over its first decade to build and grow an endowment fund that will continue to assist physically challenged athletes indefinitely.

There are Four Primary CAF Programs; all focus on CAF's mission to strengthen the minds and bodies of physically challenged individuals around the world by making possible active, healthy lifestyles.

Access for Athletes – CAF’s core mission; provides funding and support for training, competition and equipment needs to physically challenged athletes.
Catch a Rising Star – A fitness and mentoring program that helps physically challenged people take the first step towards full, active lifestyles.
Operation Rebound – Provides post-rehabilitation support and mentorship to American soldiers and veterans who suffered traumatic injuries in Afghanistan or Iraq that resulted in a permanent physical disability.
Emmanuel Fund – The Emmanuel Fund supports “CAF Ambassador to Ghana” Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah’s efforts to change perceptions, conditions, and treatment of the physically challenged persons in Ghana.
Reach High – Conducts outreach to inspire and educate people with physical challenges and our communities by showing them “what is possible” for challenged athletes.

If you or your children participate in sports, you already know the sense of pride, self-esteem and strength it brings to all of us. Whether it be that pre-work run in the mornings or extended ride on the week-end, sports helps our mental attitudes, happiness, heart and so much more. We're lucky. Please help us extend the same benefits to physically challenged individuals who are not so lucky.

Donate now to give a lifelong gift to these individuals.