Challenged Athletes Foundation

WHAT IS THE CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION (CAF):

The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a unique nonprofit that helps people with physical challenges live full, active lives through participation in fitness activities and competitive sports.

CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.

Often times the expensive cost of adaptive sports equipment can be an obstacle that keeps those with physical challenges on the sidelines. Most medical insurance does not cover adaptive sports equipment; they deem these “luxury” items. CAF believes sport is a right and therefor helps overcome this economic barrier.

WHAT CAF DOES:

Over past 21 years, the Challenged Athletes Foundation has raised in excess of $60 million and satisfied 9,500 funding requests from physically challenged athletes in all 50 states and more than 25 foreign countries.

-Access for Athletes GRANTS:
o In April 2014, CAF distributed their 2014 Access for Athletes grants to 1,469 challenged athletes, totaling $3.1 million.

o The funding and support provided by the Challenged Athletes Foundation can be the difference between “getting into the game” and being left on the sidelines.

o The Challenged Athletes Foundation funds the purchase of expensive adaptive equipment (like running prosthetics, racing chairs and handcycles) and helps pay for coaching and travel expenses for athletes at all levels. More often than not, these costs are not covered by conventional medical insurance.

Through additional programs CAF also provides support for people with physical challenges of all ages and ability:

- Operation Rebound – provides support for injured military and first responders, to get them from the front line to the finish line.

- Catch A Rising Star –provides important coaching and instruction through more than 20 free clinics and camps conducted throughout the country. Whether learning adaptive swim strokes, how to run on prosthetic running blades, or how to maneuver a handcycle, more than 600 athletes annually are provided with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in sports and in life.

- Project N.Ex.T. – a mentorship program that pairs the newly injured or physically challenged people just discovering sports and fitness with accomplished mentors that have overcome similar challenges.

- Reach High – community outreach. Challenged athlete spokespersons attend public events and speak to community groups to change negative perceptions surrounding people with challenges.

For more than 20 years now, CAF has been there when the unthinkable happens. From the Haiti earthquake and the Boston Marathon attacks to tragic car accidents or life-altering illnesses, CAF has helped individuals, and their families, heal through sport by showing them there is nothing they can’t do.

HOW TO SUPPORT:

Through special events, partnership events, and individual fundraising, CAF helps everyone, at any level, make a difference in the lives of challenged athletes.

CAF puts on many unique, first-class fundraising events as ways to get involved and make a difference. CAF events are challenging and rewarding, but most importantly allow people to see first-hand how they are changing the lives of challenged athletes.

You can fundraise for CAF by participating in a number of additional partner events which include a complete calendar of marathons, triathlons and other events throughout the country.

Participate in Race for a Reason and selecting your own athletic race or special event to fundraise for CAF.

Pledge to give an annual gift, or consider CAF in your estate planning.