Helping people find support and resources is a core part of 180 Medical’s mission. Our founder, Todd Brown, started 180 Medical after his own spinal cord injury (SCI), and we continue to honor that mission by sharing helpful guides and financial aid opportunities.
Below, you’ll find a list of spinal cord injury grants, scholarships, and programs that can help with sports, mobility, education, and more.
Sports and Adaptive Athletics Grants
These spinal cord injury grants help people with SCI and other disabilities stay active through adaptive sports, training, and equipment support.
Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)
- Helps people with physical disabilities pursue athletic goals and get involved in sports
- Provides grants for training, coaching, and adaptive equipment support, including wheelchairs and prosthetic devices
- Learn more: Challenged Athletes Foundation
Kelly Brush Foundation
- Supports people with spinal cord injuries who want to lead active lives
- Provides grants for adaptive sports equipment such as sit-skis or handcycles
- Learn more: Kelly Brush Foundation
IM Able Foundation
- Works to make physical activity more accessible for people with physical or cognitive disabilities
- Grants available for adaptive sports equipment
- Learn more: IM Able Foundation
Spinal Cord Opportunities for Rehabilitation Endowment (SCORE)
- Helps people who have been paralyzed while participating in sports or recreational activities
- Offers grants for rehabilitation therapy, sports equipment, home renovations for accessibility, and other quality-of-life improvements.
- Learn more: SCORE
Vehicle and Adaptive Mobility Equipment Grants
The following listed grants offer help in financing adaptive vehicles as well as mobility equipment.
The Mobility Resource – State Grants for Wheelchair Accessible Vans
- Connects people with disabilities to state and private grant programs
- Helps fund wheelchair-accessible vans, lifts, and other mobility equipment
- Learn more: The Mobility Resource
Tip: Some state rehabilitation or vocational programs may also help fund adaptive driving equipment. Check your state’s Department of Rehabilitation for more options.
Military Grants for Veterans With Spinal Cord Injuries
These grants offer financial assistance to service members with a spinal cord injury, paralysis, or other physical disabilities.
The Semper Fi Fund (SFF)
- Provides resources for injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Offers support for veterans and their families during rehabilitation
- Learn more: Semper Fi Fund
Semper Fi & America’s Fund
- Supports active service members, veterans of the United States military, and their families
- Provides financial assistance and resources to veterans and families during all recovery stages
- Learn more: Semper Fi & America’s Fund
High Fives Foundation
- Provides resources and inspiration to athletes and veterans with spinal cord injuries
- Offers grants for veterans and those pursuing outdoor adventure sports
- Learn more: High Fives Foundation
US Department of Veterans Affairs Adaptive Sports Grant Program
- Provides funding to adaptive sports organization serving United States veterans
- Supports rehabilitation, adaptive sports assistance, and therapy resources
- Learn more: VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program
Tip: Veterans may qualify for additional support through their local VA medical center’s adaptive sports or recreation department.
General Purpose Spinal Cord Injury Grants
Below are some additional general purpose grants and support programs for people with a spinal cord injury.
Byron Riesch Paralysis Foundation
- Helps fund the latest medical research on paralysis
- Assists those with neurological disorders
- Offers grants for financial assistance and research on cures
- Learn more: Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation (BRPF)
Travis Roy Foundation
- Focuses on empowering spinal cord-injured individuals through adaptive equipment grants to help enable independence
- Funds SCI research to benefit people with chronic injuries
- Offers grants for durable medical equipment
- Learn more: Travis Roy Foundation
Be Perfect Paralysis Awareness Foundation
- Provides direct financial aid to individuals living with spinal cord injuries or paralysis
- Offers grants for financial assistance and scholarship opportunities
- Learn more: Be Perfect Foundation
Friends of Man
- Works with referring professional to supply mobility equipment and supplies for those with qualifying disabilities
- Offers grants for financial assistance and durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other assistive devices
- Learn more: Friends of Man
Dream2Walk
- Offers financial assistance at approved recovery-based therapy facilities
- Grants available for financial assistance for approved physical therapy
- Learn more: Dream2Walk
Triumph Foundation
- Helps cover the gap in insurance coverage for those with spinal cord injuries
- Provide necessary equipment through various missions such as the Keep Moving Forward Grant program, the Employment Achievement Award, and the Equipment and Supply Exchange
- Offer grants for financial assistance and assistive technology
- Learn more: Triumph Foundation
Cindy Donald Dreams of Recovery Foundation
- Committed to creating positive change for people facing the challenges from spinal cord injury (SCI) or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Offers grant to help affected individuals receive therapy
- Learn more: Cindy Donald Dreams of Recovery Foundation
Spinal Cord Injury Scholarships
180 Medical offers annual scholarship opportunities for college students with spinal cord injuries and other specific medical conditions.
180 Medical College Scholarship Program
This scholarship is open to college students of all ages who plan to attend a 2 or 4-year college in the fall of each applicable year. Applying students must be under the care of a physician for one of the following medical conditions:
- Spinal cord injury
- Spina bifida
- Neurogenic bladder
- Transverse myelitis
- Ostomy (urostomy, colostomy, or ileostomy)
180 Medical Ron Howell Caregiver Scholarship
This scholarship is our way to give back to the primary unpaid caregivers who support their loved ones with disabilities such as spinal cord injuries.
It has always been our mission at 180 Medical to connect our customers and their families with essential resources. You can find additional guides, educational information, product news, and more by signing up for our e-mail newsletter or reading more on the 180 Medical blog.
