Quality of Life Grants: How to Apply/Guidelines

Applications deadlines are March 1 and September 1

The Christopher Reeve Foundation (CRF) is committed to funding research that develops treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders.  The Foundation also vigorously works to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities through its grants program, paralysis resource center, and advocacy efforts.

The Quality of Life Grants Program offers grants to non-profit organizations; grants are not made to individuals.  Individuals seeking resources that may be able to provide financial assistance should contact the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, a program of CRF, at www.paralysis.org or call toll-free 1-800-539-7309 and ask to speak with an Information Specialist. Quality of Life grants support non-profit organizations that address the needs of persons living with paralysis (particularly spinal cord injury), their families and caregivers.  Funding is awarded in thirteen categories, including:  accessibility, advocacy, arts, assistive technology, children, counseling, education, employment, health promotion, independent living, practical service, sports and recreation, and therapeutic riding.  Except for the health promotion category, the primary focus of the Quality of Life grants is paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.  To qualify for funding, a non-profit organization does not have to exclusively serve people with spinal cord injuries; however, at least a portion of the population served must have spinal cord injuries.

The health promotion category provides funding to non-profit organizations that address paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries and/or other injuries, diseases and birth conditions, including (but not limited to):  stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, etc.  Grants in the health promotion category are made possible by a cooperative agreement (Grant No. U10/CCU220379-02) between CRF and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Health promotion grants are intended for programmatic activities and not solely for the purchase of equipment for use by individuals.  Health promotion grants also cannot fund advocacy or food.

The Quality of Life Grants Program is focused on paralysis-related physical disabilities. While successful applicants do serve some people with developmental disabilities, we do not, given CRF’s mission and purpose, award funding to non-profit organizations that work exclusively with people with developmental disabilities nor to programs that do not serve individuals with paralysis.

Funding is awarded in amounts up to $25,000 per grant.  The level of funding needed for a proposed project or program should determine the amount of the grant request. As a general rule, grants are not awarded for operating costs nor are they awarded for start-up organizations. Only one request per grant cycle will be accepted from a non-profit organization. Multiple-year grants are not awarded. Grant applicants need not choose the funding category; this is determined by the Committee. The Committee may elect not to award funding in every category in a particular funding cycle. Applications are accepted from organizations based outside of the United States, although priority is given to those with an international scope (i.e., project serves people living in more than one country).

Applications deadlines are March 1 and September 1. Applications should be submitted online by midnight on the appropriate deadline. All supporting materials should be submitted online or received at the address below by the submission deadline.  Applications received after March 1/September 1 will be held for the following funding cycle. The Quality of Life Grants Committee will review each request and make specific recommendations to the Board of Directors (or “Board”) for approval. The Board meets in June and December of each calendar year. All award notifications will be mailed out after the Board has met.

Application Process and Requirements

Grants will only be given to non-profit organizations, and proof of non-profit status is required. See below for additional documentation required of non-U.S. based non-profit organizations.

The Quality of Life Grant Application must be submitted online with the following supporting materials:

• Proposed itemized project budget (required)  -- Must be uploaded with application!!
• Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) Letter of Determination (required)
• Copy of most recent IRS form 990 (required)
• List of Board of Directors (required)
• Photographs (optional) – Electronic preferred (see below)
• Letters of support (optional)
• Certificate of good standing from the state in which the organization is operating (optional)
• Latest annual report (optional)
• Latest organizational budget (optional)
• Most recent audited financial statement (optional) 
• Narrative (optional)  (see below)

All attachments should be uploaded with the application in the “attachments” section, using the appropriate labels in the pull-down menu.  The proposed itemized project must be uploaded with the online application.  Any application received without an uploaded proposed itemized project budget will be disqualified from consideration. 

If for whatever reason requested materials (with the exception of the proposed itemized project budget) are not available in electronic format, please mail them to the address below. All applications and supporting documentation must be received at the address below by the submission deadlines. Please note that all materials submitted are non-returnable.

Donna L. Valente
Director, Quality of Life Grants
Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center
636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A
Short Hills, NJ 07078

While not required, the submission of photos that illustrate the potential impact of an award is encouraged. Electronic submission of photos is preferred and can be done through the on-line application.  Photos submitted may be used by CRF on its website or in its publications. 

If all of the information requested in the online application has been supplied, it is not necessary to attach an additional narrative.  However, you may do so if you feel it will give us a broader understanding of your project.

Grant recipients are encouraged to provide periodic progress reports to CRF. In addition, a final report detailing the expenditure and outcomes of the grant must be submitted to CRF one year after the award is received. 

Grant recipients can reapply for a new grant one year after initial application, following favorable review of their final report. Grant recipients should not rely on CRF for continual funding of their programs or projects; it is strongly recommended that other sources of support also be secured.  Under no circumstances is CRF obligated to continue funding the program of any grantee subsequent to an earlier grant provided by CRF.

In the event the grantee ceases to operate or becomes insolvent, all unused CRF grant money shall be immediately remitted to CRF.  Furthermore, if the original purpose, project and/or program of the grantee changes, the grantee must notify CRF in writing for permission to redirect funds.  If permission is not given, grantee shall remit any and all grant money to CRF.  CRF reserves the right to continue funding a grantee if such grantee’s purpose, project or program changes.

Applications are NOT accepted via fax or email.

Non-Profit Organizations Not Based in the United States

Non-US based organizations should enter any ten-digit number to access the application.  You will likely receive a message that reads “Number is not found in the US Tax Database.”  Hit OK to proceed with the application.  Non-profit organizations located in countries other than the United States are asked to submit documentation of organization’s status as a tax-exempt agency under its country’s laws.  This must be a legal document issued by a governmental agency.

Special Tips:

To help in the preparation of your application, it is suggested that you print of a copy of the application to review what information is required. You may find it helpful to create your answers on a Word document and then cut and paste into the online application where appropriate.

You may start your online application, save it, and return later to finish. To return, simply use the URL in the email message sent to you and the password you created.

Should you experience difficulties in completing the online application, please email qol@ChristopherReeve.org or call Donna L. Valente, Director, Quality of Life Grants, at 800-539-7309 or 973-467-8270, ext. 7211.