Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs 2026: VA, Foundations
Quick Answer: If you're running an adaptive or disability sports program, the one dedicated federal grant is VA's Adaptive Sports Grant Program for disabled veterans and service members: its FY2026 notice offered up to $16 million with awards up to $750,000, and VA says the FY2027 notice is coming soon.
Full answer and how we checked it
Youth and community adaptive programs that don't serve veterans rely on private foundations that report giving on IRS Form 990-PF, local parks partnerships, schools and donors. Equipment like sport wheelchairs and sit-skis is often the easiest single ask to explain.
Data note: Foundation counts come from Grantsights analysis of IRS Form 990-PF grant records tagged to youth and children, grouped by recipient state and pulled October 29, 2026, with filings mostly from tax years 2023 through 2025. Federal totals are USAspending.gov obligations by fiscal year.
In this guide (12 sections)
- $16 Million for Veterans: The VA Adaptive Sports Grant
- Youth and Community Adaptive Sports: No Dedicated Federal Grant
- 3 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to VA
- 5 Local Partners Worth More Than a Small Grant
- Which Foundations Fund Adaptive Sports: What 990-PF Filings Show
- Pricing Adaptive Equipment Requests
- What VA Doesn't Tell You About Funding Adaptive Sports
- Common Mistakes in Adaptive Sports Grant Requests
- A 12-Month Adaptive Sports Funding Calendar
- Related Guides for Sports and Disability Programs
- FAQ: Common Questions
- Sources
Foundations near you already fund this work. See three in your state that take requests, with how to apply. Free, about a minute.
Foundations that fund this work
38,167 private foundations gave to youth clubs, camps, scouts and children's programs
From their own IRS Form 990-PF filings (tax years 2019 to 2025). Pick your state to see who gave there, with one foundation in full. About the list
Across the US, these foundations gave 241,391 grants totaling $9,713,736,850.
Historical giving does not establish an open application or eligibility for your organization. For-profit operators should check each foundation's applicant rules before buying.
The full list names all 38,167, state by state: what each gave, to whom, for what, and a link to its filings. One payment, no subscription.
Whether you run a sled hockey team, a wheelchair basketball club, an adaptive ski school, a Paralympic sport club or a recreation program for kids with disabilities, this guide explains what VA requires and how to build a foundation base for everything else.
Adaptive sports source review, Grantsights, October 29, 2026: Grantsights checked VA's Adaptive Sports Grant Program page (opens in a new tab), the VA-SPORTS-26 notice on Grants.gov (opens in a new tab), the VA-EQUINE-25 notice, USAspending.gov totals for assistance listing 64.034, and 990-PF filings naming adaptive athletics. Where official sources stop: VA explains eligibility for veteran programs. It doesn't cover youth or community programs that don't serve veterans.
$16 Million for Veterans: The VA Adaptive Sports Grant
According to VA's grant program page (opens in a new tab), VA awards grants to qualifying organizations to plan, develop, manage and implement adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces, as authorized under 38 U.S.C. 521A. The program is run by the National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events office.
| VA-SPORTS-26 detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Posted on Grants.gov (opens in a new tab) | March 27, 2026 |
| Closed | May 13, 2026 |
| Total available | Up to $16,000,000, subject to funds |
| Award ceiling | $750,000 |
| Assistance listing | 64.034 |
| Next round | VA says the VA-SPORTS-27 notice will be available soon on Grants.gov (opens in a new tab) |
According to USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab), assistance listing 64.034 obligated about $13.3 million in FY2024 and $7.0 million in FY2025. Year-to-year totals vary with award timing, so treat them as a rough scale rather than a forecast.
The eligibility test
VA's page says an organization must be a non-federal entity with significant experience managing a large-scale adaptive sports program. Under 38 CFR 77, VA lists three ways to qualify:
| Route | What VA requires |
|---|---|
| 1 | Affiliated with a National Paralympic Committee or a National Governing Body authorized to provide Paralympic sports |
| 2 | An adaptive sports program of a National Governing Body that meets additional requirements |
| 3 | At least 50 persons with disabilities participate, or eligible participants live in at least five congressional districts |
Federal agencies can't receive the grant, though VA encourages them to partner with non-federal groups. Before applying you need a Unique Entity ID and current SAM.gov (opens in a new tab) and Grants.gov (opens in a new tab) registrations.
What the grant pays for
VA's page lists authorized activities: instruction, participation and competition in adaptive sports; training and technical assistance for program administrators, coaches, recreation therapists and instructors; and coordination, Paralympic classification, athlete assessment, sport-specific training, local program development, sports equipment, supplies and program evaluation.
That list is broad. Equipment and local program development are both named, which means a qualifying club can request sport chairs or hand cycles alongside coaching costs.
Equine therapy grants
VA has also run a separate equine therapy track under the same listing. Specifically, the VA-EQUINE-25 notice on Grants.gov (opens in a new tab) estimated $5,000,000 in total, with a $750,000 ceiling, and required applicants to manage the grant in a nonprofit capacity. According to Grants.gov, it was posted June 3, 2025 and closed July 2, 2025. Therapeutic riding programs serving veterans should watch for the next one; see Grantsights' grants for therapeutic riding programs.
Get grant deadline alerts by email
About once a week, we email a short list of open grant calls with real deadlines from different funders. It isn't limited to the programs in this guide.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Youth and Community Adaptive Sports: No Dedicated Federal Grant
None of the 64.034 money is meant for youth programs that don't serve veterans. Programs for kids and adults who aren't veterans don't have a federal grant built for them. That's an honest gap. The money comes from:
| Source | What it usually pays for |
|---|---|
| Private and family foundations | Equipment, scholarships, coaching, travel to competitions |
| Community foundations | Startup costs, local programs, accessible facility upgrades |
| Parks and recreation departments | Facility time, staff, shared programming |
| Schools and districts | Partnerships for unified or adaptive school sports |
| Corporate and business sponsors | Events, uniforms, team travel |
| Participant fees with scholarships | Part of operating costs |
A partnership with your city or county parks department can be worth more than a grant. Free gym time, pool lanes or ice time is a cost you don't have to raise, and parks staff may help with liability coverage questions.
3 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to VA
The VA grant is the biggest dedicated source in this field, so it's tempting to apply the day the next notice appears. Answer these 3 questions first. If any answer is no, don't apply this round; build toward the next one.
- Do you meet one of the 38 CFR 77 routes? VA's page lists Paralympic or National Governing Body affiliation, a National Governing Body adaptive program, or at least 50 participating persons with disabilities or participants from at least five congressional districts. Count from your own rosters, not estimates.
- Will the grant serve veterans and service members? VA's program is for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. A youth-only program isn't a fit, however strong it is.
- Can you manage federal reporting? A federal award brings SAM.gov (opens in a new tab) registration, financial reports and record keeping under federal grant rules. If no one on your team has managed one, line up a bookkeeper or a partner organization first.
If all three answers are yes, read the instructions posted on VA's grant program page, then gather participant data, equipment quotes and coach credentials before the notice opens.
5 Local Partners Worth More Than a Small Grant
For community programs, partners often supply more value than cash. Put each partner's contribution into your budget as in-kind support, valued at what you'd otherwise pay:
| Partner | What it can contribute | How to value it in a budget |
|---|---|---|
| Parks and recreation department | Gym, pool, ice or field time | The rate the department charges other renters |
| School district | Facilities, transport, adapted physical education staff | District rental rates and bus costs |
| University recreation therapy or adaptive athletics program | Coaching clinics, student volunteers, classification events | Hours times a reasonable rate |
| Hospital rehabilitation department | Referrals, therapist volunteers, space for intake | Hours times a reasonable rate |
| Local sports clubs | Shared fields, coaches, used equipment | Rental and resale value |
Writing in-kind support into the budget shows funders the program is bigger than its cash, and it helps when a funder or VA asks what else supports the work. Get each partner's commitment in a short letter on its letterhead.
Which Foundations Fund Adaptive Sports: What 990-PF Filings Show
Grantsights counted 241,241 youth and children grants in 990-PF records pulled October 29, 2026. According to IRS rules, private foundations disclose each grant on IRS Form 990-PF (opens in a new tab), so adaptive sports and disability recreation grants can be found by purpose.
These tax year 2025 filings name adaptive athletics, disability recreation or children with disabilities:
| Foundation behind the gift | Organization | State | Amount | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Debra K Howe Charitable Trust | Bella's Angels | FL | $308,247 | Resources for children with lifelong disabilities |
| J and C Davis Family Foundation | University of Arizona Foundation | AZ | $250,000 | Adaptive Athletics Program |
| The Josetta Fund | Jill's House | VA | $75,000 | Care for families raising kids with disabilities |
| Sean Nicholas Michael Shockey Foundation | Hunting with Heroes | WY | $5,000 | Disabled veterans recreational program |
The range is wide, from $5,000 to over $300,000. University adaptive athletics programs draw large gifts, and a community club can sometimes partner with one for coaching, classification events or facility access.
State counts for the youth cause:
| Program's state | Youth grants | Foundations that gave | Say they take requests | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 13,253 | 3,793 | 905 | $5,000 |
| Washington | 5,866 | 1,303 | 390 | $5,000 |
| Colorado | 5,680 | 1,686 | 461 | $6,250 |
| North Carolina | 5,310 | 1,416 | 445 | $5,000 |
| Arizona | 3,175 | 982 | 298 | $5,000 |
| Utah | 2,322 | 666 | 206 | $5,000 |
| Montana | 1,880 | 416 | 147 | $5,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1,411 | 450 | 181 | $4,000 |
| Idaho | 1,404 | 399 | 150 | $5,000 |
| Vermont | 1,043 | 299 | 93 | $5,000 |
Get the funder list for your state
Adaptive sports programs can look through the Grantsights youth and children funder list for their state for free, with request-friendly funders on top and their recent grantees beside them. Watch for funders that support youth sports leagues, disability services or summer camps. $29 once unlocks the full list in every state; the $99 yearly plan opens every cause list, which helps when your program also fits health or community funders. Grantsights refunds either in full within 30 days.
Pricing Adaptive Equipment Requests
Use these 5 item types as a checklist for any equipment request. Equipment requests are concrete and easy for funders to picture. Prices vary by sport, size and supplier, so Grantsights doesn't publish standard figures. Get written quotes and build the request from them.
| Item type | What to include in the request |
|---|---|
| Sport wheelchairs | Quote per chair, number of athletes sharing each, expected years of use |
| Sit-skis, sleds, hand cycles | Quote, storage plan, who maintains them |
| Adapted fitness or court equipment | Quote, where it's installed, hours of use per week |
| Transport | Van or trailer quote, insurance, driver plan |
| Fitting and repairs | Annual maintenance budget |
A shared fleet is a strong story: one set of chairs used by 30 athletes across three seasons is a good value, and funders can see the math.
What VA Doesn't Tell You About Funding Adaptive Sports
These 4 points come straight from VA's own rules, read from an applicant's side.
- The 50-participant line matters. A small program may not meet VA's size test alone. Affiliating with a Paralympic sport club network or a National Governing Body can open the door.
- Classification and coaching cost money. VA names Paralympic classification and coach training as allowable. Foundations may not think of them, so explain why they matter.
- Liability insurance is part of the budget. Funders who pay for equipment will ask who's covered when it's used.
- Veteran and youth programs can share gear. If you run both, document how VA-funded equipment is used for veterans and keep it separate in your records.
Common Mistakes in Adaptive Sports Grant Requests
Read your draft against these 5 points before you submit it.
- Applying for VA funds without meeting the size or affiliation test. A common mistake that wastes weeks.
- Asking for "equipment" without quotes. Specific numbers win.
- No participant data. Count athletes, sessions, disabilities served and miles traveled to reach you.
- Overstating outcomes. Claiming medical results from sport is a red flag. Report participation, retention and athlete feedback.
- Expired registrations. VA requires SAM.gov (opens in a new tab) and Grants.gov (opens in a new tab); see the SAM.gov registration guide.
A 12-Month Adaptive Sports Funding Calendar
| Months | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check whether you meet VA's eligibility routes; contact your sport's governing body |
| 2 to 3 | Watch Grants.gov (opens in a new tab) for VA-SPORTS-27; prepare quotes and participant data |
| 4 to 5 | Meet your parks and recreation department about facility time |
| 6 to 8 | Send equipment requests to 15 foundations that fund youth sports or disability programs |
| 9 to 10 | Ask local businesses to sponsor events and travel |
| 11 to 12 | Report athletes served and equipment use to every funder |
See how to write a grant letter of inquiry and how to read a 990-PF. The Grantsights grant database lists VA and other open notices.
Related Guides for Sports and Disability Programs
These 7 pages cover funders that overlap with adaptive sports. Adaptive programs share funders with grants for youth sports leagues, grants for disability services, grants for autism organizations and grants for veterans organizations. Programs that build accessible play spaces should see grants for playgrounds. Programs that serve youth in foster care can compare notes with grants for foster care programs, and veterans' groups that also restore veterans' graves can see grants for cemetery associations.
FAQ: Common Questions
What is the VA Adaptive Sports Grant? A VA grant for programs serving disabled veterans and service members, up to $750,000 per award in FY2026.
Who is eligible for the VA Adaptive Sports Grant? Experienced non-federal programs that meet one of three 38 CFR 77 tests.
Is there federal money for youth adaptive sports? Not through VA. Youth programs rely mainly on foundations and local partners.
Do foundations fund adaptive athletics? Yes, from $5,000 to $250,000 in the examples above.
How big is a typical foundation grant to youth programs? Most state medians are $5,000.
Sources
Last updated October 29, 2026. Published by Grantsights from public sources. See our editorial policy, how we build and check guides, corrections and how we make money.
Related Guides
Complete Guide
Federal Grants for Nonprofits 2026: Where to Apply
Federal grants for nonprofits 2026: nonprofits got $42.7B in direct federal grants in FY2025, $25.4B from HHS. How to register, apply, and win subgrants.
Grants for Youth Sports Leagues in 2026: Who Funds Them
Grants for youth sports leagues in 2026: why federal money goes to parks departments, the IRS rules first, and which foundations give $5,000 grants.
Amber Grant 2026: Rules, $15 Fee, Grants for Women
The Amber Grant gives three $15,000 grants a month plus three $75,000 year-end grants, for a $15 fee. Other real grants for women, and scam signs.
Federal Grants for HBCUs 2026: Find Federal Funding
Compare 6 federal funding routes for HBCUs, from Title III Part B formula aid to NIH RCMI, DOD HBCU/MI, and USDA 1890 capacity grants.
Federal Grants for K-12 Schools 2026: All Programs
K-12 schools get $80B+ in federal funding yearly across 12+ programs. Title I, IDEA, ESSER wind-down, and competitive grants.
Federal Grants for Rural Organizations (2026)
Federal grants for rural groups in 2026: USDA Community Facilities grants cover up to 75% of costs and EDA up to 80%. Compare 15+ programs by status.