Quality of Life Grants Program

Guidelines

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) 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 two types of grants to non-profit organizations; grants are not made to individuals. The first type of grant supports non-profit organizations that address the needs of persons living with spinal cord injuries, their families and caregivers. Within this grant, funding is awarded in twelve categories: children, arts, sports and recreation, education, advocacy, accessibility, practical service, independent living, assistive technology, therapeutic riding, employment and counseling. To qualify for this grant, a non-profit organization does not have to exclusively serve the spinal cord injured community; however, at least a portion of the population served must have spinal cord injuries.

The Quality of Life Grants Program also offers health promotion awards to non-profit organizations that address 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. The health promotion awards are made possible by a grant (Grant No. U10/CCU220379-02) that CRPF received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the fall of 2002. Health promotion grants are intended for programmatic activities and not solely for the purchase of equipment for use by individuals.

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 CRPF’s mission and purpose, award funding to non-profit organizations that work exclusively with people with developmental disabilities.

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. It is strongly recommended that each non-profit organization submit only one request per grant cycle.

Deadlines for submission of applications are April 1 and October 1; applications and all supporting materials must be received in the CRPF offices on or before the deadline date. Applications received after April 1/October 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 that have received tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code and are not private foundations under section 509(a) of the Code. See below for additional documentation required of non-U.S. based non-profit organizations.

The Quality of Life Grant Application and a two- to three-page program narrative must be submitted along with the following supporting materials:

  • Copy of IRS Letter of Determination showing non-profit 501(c)3 status of the organization
  • Charter or certificate or articles of incorporation
  • By-laws
  • Certificate of good standing from the state in which the organization is operating
  • Proposed project or program budget in detail
  • Most recent audited financial statement
  • Copy of most recent IRS form 990
  • Copy of non-profit organization’s current operating budget
  • List of Board of Directors
  • Latest Annual Report (if not available, a statement describing the non-profit organization’s purpose and recent achievements)

While not required, the submission of photos that illustrate the potential impact of an award is encouraged. Electronic submission of photos is preferred; the photos submitted by some successful applicants may be used by CRPF on its website or in its publications. Please note that all materials submitted are non-returnable.

At intervals throughout the grant period, grant recipients will be required to provide progress reports to CRPF. In addition, a final report detailing the expenditure and outcomes of the grant must be submitted to CRPF one year after the award is received.

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

In the event the grantee ceases to operate or becomes insolvent, all unused CRPF grant money shall be immediately remitted to CRPF. Furthermore, if the original purpose, project and/or program of the grantee changes, the grantee shall remit any and all grant money to CRPF. CRPF reserves the right to continue funding a grantee if such grantee’s purpose, project or program changes.

The Quality of Life Grant application, program narrative and supporting materials should be mailed together to the following address:

Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center

Quality of Life Grants Program

636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A

Short Hills, NJ 07078

Applications are NOT accepted via fax or email.

Non-Profit Organizations Not Based in the United States

When applying for a Quality of Life grant, non-profit organizations located in countries other than the United States are asked to submit additional supporting documentation. Specifically, each non-profit organization must include the following with their proposal:

  • The non-profit organization’s status as a tax-exempt agency under its country’s laws. This must be a legal document issued by a governmental agency.
  • Documentation of the signing of a treaty that recognizes tax-exempt entities worldwide by the non-profit organization’s home nation and the U.S.