P L E A S E N O T E ! ! ! The 1st cycle 2008 Quaility of Life grants application is now open! The application submission deadline for the 1st Cycle of 2008 opens January 29th, 2008. Previous Quality of Life grantees are required to wait 2 grant cycles before applying for funding again. Previous grantees must submit a copy of the final report of the latest grant with any new request in order to be considered eligible for funding. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE THROUGH THIS WEBSITE – NOT BY EMAIL, MAIL OR FAX. "While working towards a cure, there are millions of people with disabilities who deserve an improved quality of life. It is my passion to help disabled individuals, their families and caregivers in ways that will more immediately give them increased independence, day-to-day happiness and improved access. Our Quality of Life program is about freedom." --Dana Reeve Since 1999, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has provided 1,262 Quality of Life grants for a grand total of $10,118,246 to organizations nationwide that help improve opportunities, access and day-to-day quality of life for individuals living with disabilities, primarily paralysis, and their families. This program recognizes the unique and numerous needs of these individuals and the importance of providing services and programs that enable them to participate in all areas of life. Quality of Life Grants Quality of Life grants, conceived by the late Dana Reeve, are given to programs or projects that improve the daily lives of people living with paralysis, particularly spinal cord injuries. Funding is awarded twice yearly to programs in 3 categories -- the ABCs of Quality of Life: actively achieving, bridging barriers, and caring & coping. Health Promotion Grants Health Promotion grants were launched by the Reeve Foundation in 2001 in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Grant No. U10/CCU220379). These grants are awarded to non-profit organizations that address the needs of people living with paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries and other injuries, diseases and birth defects, including (but not limited to) stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. All funding for the health promotion grants is provided by the CDC's grant to the Foundation. Who Should Apply The Reeve Foundation is dedicated to ensuring, through the Quality of Life grants, that agencies serving individuals with spinal cord injuries and paralysis caused by other injuries, diseases and birth defects have the necessary funding to implement the programs and services vital to these communities. The Foundation aids larger organizations in representing and protecting individuals with disabilities on a national level as well as local groups in having an immediate and practical impact on individual lives. The awards fulfill a variety of needs for the recipient organizations by providing grants of up to $25,000. Funding has been awarded for such needs as dormitory hospital beds for an assistance dog training center, scholarships to adaptive sports and outdoor programs, support groups, advocacy campaigns, websites that promote self esteem for children who use wheelchairs, and outreach programs. The program strives to ensure diversity among recipient organizations. Please note that the Reeve Foundation does not make grants 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 the Reeve Foundation, at Paralysis.org or call toll-free 1-800-539-7309 and ask to speak with an Information Specialist. |