It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence, and enhances quality of life.
CAF’s flagship grant program is designed to remove the barriers that exist between adaptive athletes and their pursuit of sport and fitness. Applicants can request either a Sports Expenses Grant or an Equipment Grant. This program is open to all challenged athletes, defined as individuals with a permanent physical disability who are pursuing an active lifestyle through physical fitness or competitive athletics. Eligibility requires that the individual's disability significantly impairs mobility, affects the neuromuscular system, impairs balance or motor control, using the International Paralympic Committee’s classification structure as guidance. Proof of disability from a medical professional is needed, but those with hearing impairments, and intellectual and developmental disabilities do not qualify for this support.