The Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program awards grants to nonprofit organizations that impact and empower people living with paralysis, their families and caregivers.
The Quality of Life Grants Program strives to empower individuals with disabilities and their families by providing grants to nonprofit organizations that improve quality of life through inclusion, access, independence, opportunities for community engagement, and other life-enhancing endeavors.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grants program offers a tiered grants strategy awarding Direct Effect (Tier 1) grants to support a wide array of programs and activities. In addition, they have created Priority Impact grants (Tiers 2, 3 & 4) with higher maximum award amounts that focus on targeted high priority issues for people living with paralysis and their families.
Grants are awarded to organizations that address the needs of people living with paralysis caused by spinal cord and other injuries, diseases or birth conditions, including (but not limited to) stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Types of Grants
The QOL grants program consists of Direct Effect and Priority Impact.
Direct Effect (Tier 1)
It is open-focused and awards grants of up to $25,000 to support a wide range of projects and activities. Grants fund programs and projects that will clearly impact individuals living with paralysis and their families.
Direct Effect grants are offered twice yearly, in the 1st (Spring) and 2nd (Fall) grant cycles.
Priority Impact (Tiers 2-4)
Offers three increasing levels of grant funding. Each tier is targeted to focus on a Priority issue for the community of individuals living with paralysis and their families, as follows:
Tier 2 — Grants of up to $30,000 for the following Priority areas:
Assistive Technology
Disaster Preparedness
Respite/Caregiving
Tier 3 — Grants of up to $40,000
Racial Equity
Rural Unserved and Underserved Populations
Tier 4 — Grants of up to $50,000
Employment
Nursing Home Transition
Priority Impact grants are currently being offered once per year, in the 2nd grant cycle (Fall).
Time Line
Funded projects in Tiers 1 & 2 are expected to be completed in 12 months. Tier 3 projects are allowed 18 months for completion, and Tier 4 & 5 are allowed 24 months.
Eligibility Criteria
The Reeve Foundation aids local grassroots nonprofit organizations that have an immediate and practical impact on individual lives, as well as established nonprofit agencies, municipalities, schools, parks and recreation departments, tribal entities, and large national nonprofit organizations within the United States of America.
Quality of Life grant applications are accepted from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations as noted above and other institutions such as community or veterans hospitals. An organization must have its own 501(c)(3) tax status (or be a part of or chapter of a national organization that is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization). Fiscal Sponsors are NOT allowed to apply on behalf of non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
The Reeve Foundation cannot award grants to individuals, but the team of Information Specialists can help identify resources and organizations that can provide financial assistance.
