You can log into your 2023 portal using this link: https://webportalapp.com/sp/home/cafgrant_23

There are two steps you must take during the grant distribution process:

1. Accept & Redeem Grant
2. Upload Receipts

STEP 1: Accept & Redeem Grant (Deadline: May 31st, 2023)

Once you’ve received notification that you have been awarded a grant, log in to your grant portal, click on the tile at the bottom of the homepage, and click on “Step 1: Accept & Redeem Grant”. In this step, you will:

1. Review your grant award details
2. Read your grant terms and conditions
3. Accept (or decline) your grant
4. Receive instructions on how to receive your grant

You must accept your grant and submit Step 1 by May 31^st, 2023. Failure to accept your grant by this date will result in the forfeit of your 2023 grant.

STEP 2: Upload Receipts (Deadline: January 31^st, 2024)

Receipts must be uploaded into Step 2 in your grant portal by January 31^st, 2024. Receipts must be dated between the March distribution date and January 31^st, 2024. You may upload and save receipts in your grant portal throughout the year, or upload them all at once. When all of your receipts have been uploaded, you will submit Step 2. Upon submission of Step 2, you will have completed the requirements for your 2023 grant.

For answers to common questions and information about Equipment Grants, click HERE

For answers to common questions and information about Sport Expense Grants, click HERE

For answers to common questions and information about Funding Towards Equipment Grants, click HERE 

An application may have been denied for one or more of the following reasons:

Income – Our grant program aims to serve those with the greatest financial need first. Applicants who did not establish a financial need based on income level may not have been considered for approval.

Ineligible Grant Request – Requests for non-sport related equipment or support (as outlined in the application), could not be considered for a grant.

Infeasible Grant Request – Requests that were infeasible based on applicant’s location, price of equipment, or listed need for support may not have been considered for a grant.

Incomplete Application – Applications that were missing required documentation may not have been considered for a grant. Additionally, applications that included documentation that was illegible or unable to be translated may not been considered for a grant.

Ineligible Disability – Individuals who do not have permanent physical disabilities or individuals with strictly cognitive or intellectual disabilities are not eligible for grant consideration. CAF uses the International Paralympic Committee’s eligibility criteria as a guideline.

If you received a Sport Expense Grant, CAF will send your grant funds directly to you. Once you accept your grant in Step 1, you will be given instructions for how to receive your grant funds and will be given payment options to select from. You must submit Step 1 in order for CAF to process your funds and send them to you. Step 1 must be submitted by May 31^st, 2023.

The purpose of this grant is to remove the financial barriers that will prohibit the athlete from playing their sport. Examples of inappropriate use of these funds would include:

• Travel expenses for coaches or additional family members
• Fuel expenses for personal vehicle outside of competition travel
• Lodging expenses for any additional/extended travel outside of competition dates
• Expensive meals
• Tournament memorabilia
• Medical or rehab services, including any form of physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, etc.
• Non-sport equipment
• Personal expenses not related to sport or competition
• Nutrition supplements
• Uniforms or articles of clothing
• Technology with a fitness component (FitBits, Apple Watches, etc.)

When in doubt, ask yourself if the expense is necessary to make the athlete’s athletic endeavors possible. The misuse of funds will result in the recipient being ineligible for future grants. If you have questions about use of funds, contact [email protected].

Yes! This grant category gives you flexibility to use the funds for any or all the listed sports expenses. You could use awarded funds all for one competition, or you could use the funds for a competition and a training expense and an equipment expense.

Funds can be used for equipment maintenance, upgrades, or refurbishments for your existing adaptive equipment, or to purchase smaller equipment items that help you train or compete in your sport (home weights, training equipment, attachments, etc.)

No. Grant funds must be spent within the grant cycle, which begins on the day of distribution in March and ends on January 31, 2024.

We are unable to accept requests for grant changes for recipients of Sport Expense Grants.

Yes. Uploading receipts is a required part of receiving a CAF grant. By accepting your grant, you agree to upload receipts into your grant portal by January 31, 2024, to show how grant funds were used. CAF is subject to an annual audit, and we must be able to account for the funds we distribute. Failure to upload receipts this year will result in the challenged athlete being ineligible to receive grant funds in the future. We encourage you to take photos of all receipts in case a physical receipt is lost or misplaced.

Receipts will be uploaded in Step 2 in your grant portal. All receipts must be uploaded and Step 2 must be submitted by January 31, 2024.

Yes, you can upload receipts throughout the year. You can login to upload receipts as you obtain them, or you can save all receipts and upload them all at once.

If you have shared expenses with other individuals on one receipt (ex: you split a hotel room or rental car with another person and your bill shows the total amount instead of just your portion of the payment), please indicate on the receipt your portion of the payment/how much you paid. You should always have a paper trail of receipts showing how your funds were spent.

Receipts are required to be submitted. We understand that sometimes receipts can be lost or misplaced, especially during trips, which is why we highly recommend that you take a photo or make a copy of all receipts as you collect them. Get in the habit of immediately taking a photo of your receipt as soon as you receive it so that in case you lose the physical receipt, you have a backup copy. We will also accept bank/credit card statements that show the expense transaction and date. Photos of receipts are acceptable.

Submitting receipt is a part of the grant process, as outlined in the Grant Agreement form signed by all recipients. If you fail to submit your receipts, you will not be eligible for future CAF grant opportunities. Please reach out to the grants team at [email protected] if you have questions.

If you do not use all of your grant funds, or have remaining funds at the end of the grant cycle, you must return the funds to CAF. Funds may not be carried over to the next grant cycle. You can send grant funds back to CAF by sending in a check to CAF, or by contacting [email protected] to inquire about how to return funds.

If mailing a check, please make payable to Challenged Athletes Foundation and send to CAF Headquarters (Address: 9591 Waples St, San Diego, CA 92121) and indicate the recipient’s name on the memo line.

You have been awarded a Sport Expense Grant. Please read the following terms and conditions of this grant carefully:

• This Sport Expense Grant can cover any expenses associated with an athlete’s training, competitions, and/or equipment purchases and maintenance. For full explanation of what funds can be used for, Click Here <Link to PDF of Grant Agreements>

• The purpose of this grant is to remove the financial barriers that will prohibit the athlete from participating in/playing their sport. Funds cannot be used for the following:
  • Travel expenses for coaches or additional family members (outside of guides/parent traveling with youth)
  • Fuel expenses for personal vehicle outside of competition/training travel
  • Lodging expenses for any additional/extended travel outside of competition dates
  • Expensive meals
  • Tournament memorabilia
  • Medical or rehab services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, etc.
  • Non-sport equipment
  • Conferences
  • Uniforms or articles of clothing
  • Technology with a fitness component (FitBits, Apple Watches, etc.)
• You will be required to upload receipts to your grant portal to show proof of purchases before 1/31/2024. CAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which conducts an annual independent audit. Failure to submit receipts for any reason could impact your ability to receive future grants. Photos of receipts are acceptable.
• Grant funds are to be spent on purchases/expenses within the 2023 grant period (March 21^st, 2023 – January 31^st, 2024). Grant funds are NOT to be used as reimbursement for past purchases/expenses.
• Unused grant funds must be returned to CAF before the grant cycle ends on 1/31/2024. Please contact [email protected] to learn more about returning grant funds.
• No requests to change your grant will be accepted.

Once you accept your grant in Step 1, you will see instructions on how to place your order for your equipment through CAF’s preferred vendor that you were awarded equipment from. It is important that you follow the ordering instructions exactly and do not order your equipment any other way. CAF will ONLY pay our preferred vendor for your equipment. Equipment orders must be placed by September 30, 2023.

Once your order has been finalized with your vendor, they will provide you a receipt or order confirmation, which you will upload into Step 2 in your grant portal. They will bill CAF for the amount you were awarded. Upon submission of Step 2, you will have completed the 2022 grant redemption process.

Your CAF grant covers the baseline version of the equipment you were awarded. It does not cover any upgrades, customizations, and, if applicable, shipping costs.  Equipment grant recipients will be responsible for paying for any upgrades, customizations, or additions to your equipment, as well as shipping costs. Before placing your order, please discuss any out-of-pocket costs with your vendor, as they will have record of what you were awarded from CAF and can inform you of any additional expenses.

Yes. Equipment grant orders must be placed with CAF’s preferred vendor by September 30^th, 2023. This gives you 6 months from grant distribution day to contact your vendor and place your order. Recipients who do not place their order with their vendor by September 30^th will lose their 2023 grant.

IMPORTANT: You are required to order the equipment you were awarded through the preferred vendor listed in your grant award details, and by following the instructions listed in Step 1. CAF has established partnerships with our vendors, and they offer us discounted pricing that other distributors cannot. CAF will ONLY pay the vendor you were awarded for your equipment. You may not order your equipment through a vendor of your choosing, even if they sell the equipment you applied for or were awarded.

Yes. Once your order is placed, the vendor will provide you with a copy of your order/invoice. This will be your receipt. You must upload your receipt into Step 2 in your grant portal by 1/31/24.

Receipts will be uploaded in Step 2 in your grant portal. All receipts must be uploaded and Step 2 must be submitted by January 31, 2024.

As a general rule, CAF does not accept requests to change equipment vendors. In very rare cases, CAF may consider a request to change the equipment vendors only if the athlete’s ability to participate in sport is significantly impacted by the equipment they were awarded. If you believe that a change in your equipment vendor is essential for your participation in sport, please contact [email protected] before accepting your grant to inquire about your options.

You may request to change your grant category from “Equipment Grant” to “Sport Expense Grant”. To inquire about this change, email [email protected].

You may also inquire with your vendor about switching to a different piece of equipment sold by your vendor. Ask your Vendor for information about the new equipment and obtain a price from them. CAF will pay the original amount you were granted to the Vendor.

You have been awarded equipment through one of CAF’s preferred vendors. Please read the following terms and conditions of this grant carefully:

• The Grant Item listed in Step 1 in your grant portal is the equipment you have been awarded. CAF has sole discretion on equipment items granted, as stated in the application.
• Once you accept your grant (below), you will be given instructions on how to place your grant order with the CAF preferred grant vendor listed. CAF has partnerships with equipment manufacturers (Preferred Vendors) who offer generous discounts for granted equipment. CAF will ONLY pay our Preferred Vendor for your equipment. You must follow the directions exactly as they are listed to order your granted equipment.
• The CAF preferred vendor will invoice CAF for the equipment you were awarded after you have placed you order. CAF will pay for the entire cost of the equipment at a baseline level. Any upgrades, additions, customizations, or shipping charges (if applicable) will be your responsibility to pay before you receive your chair. Your vendor will review all costs with you. Monetary funds will NOT be sent to you.
• You are required to place your equipment order with CAF’s Preferred Vendor by September 30, 2023. Failure to order your equipment by this date will result in your grant being revoked. If you have difficulty ordering your equipment by this deadline, please contact [email protected]
• If you accept this equipment grant, you will not be eligible to apply for another equipment grant until the Fall of 2024 (if under 18) or the Fall of 2025 (if over 18).
• You are not permitted to sell granted equipment for financial gain. CAF grant equipment that is no longer used due to being outdated or outgrown should either be donated to a local adaptive sports program/team or given to another athlete free of charge in an effort to advance adaptive sport. Selling CAF grant equipment will result in an individual being prohibited from applying for future CAF grants for a minimum of 5 years.
• You are required to upload your order form/invoice that your vendor will provide you after your order is complete. This will act as your receipt. Your receipt must be uploaded by 1/31/24.

Changes to Awarded Equipment Grants:

• As a general rule, CAF does not accept requests to change equipment vendors.

• In very rare cases, CAF may consider a request to change the equipment vendors only if the athlete’s ability to participate in sport is significantly impacted by the equipment they were awarded.
• If you believe that a change in your equipment vendor is essential for your participation in sport, please contact [email protected] before accepting your grant to inquire about your options.
• You may request to change your grant category from “Equipment Grant” to “Sport Expense Grant”. To inquire about this change, email [email protected].
• NO grant change requests will be considered after May 31.

If you received a Funding Towards Equipment Grant, CAF will send your grant funds directly to you. Once you accept your grant in Step 1, you will be given instructions for how to receive your grant funds and will be given payment options to select from. You must submit Step 1 in order for CAF to process your funds and send them to you. Step 1 must be submitted by May 31, 2023.

You are permitted to use these funds to purchase any comparable sport equipment, even if it is not what you listed in your application. Please see below FAQ to see what funds CANNOT be used for.

No. Grant funds must be spent within the grant cycle, which begins on the day of distribution in March and ends on 1/31/2024.

The purpose of this grant is to remove the financial barriers that prohibit you from purchasing adaptive equipment. You may not use grant funds to purchase the following:

• Non-sport equipment, including everyday wheelchairs, mobility devices
• Electric/motorized equipment
• Rehabilitation equipment
• Technology with a fitness component (FitBits, Apple Watch, etc.)

If you have a question about equipment eligibility, please contact [email protected].

You may request to change your grant to a Sport Expense Grant. To inquire about this grant change, please email [email protected].

Yes. Uploading receipts is a required part of receiving a CAF grant. By accepting your grant, you agree to upload receipts into your grant portal by January 31^st, 2024 to show how grant funds were used. CAF is subject to an annual audit, and we must be able to account for the funds we distribute. Failure to upload receipts this year will result in the challenged athlete being ineligible to receive grant funds in the future. We encourage you to take photos of all receipts in case a physical receipt is lost or misplaced.

Receipts will be uploaded in Step 2 in your grant portal. All receipts must be uploaded and Step 2 must be submitted by January 31, 2024.

If you do not use all of your grant funds, or have remaining funds at the end of the grant cycle, you must return the funds to CAF. Funds may not be carried over to the next grant cycle. You can send grant funds back to CAF by sending in a check to CAF, or by contacting [email protected] to inquire about how to return funds.

If mailing a check, please make payable to Challenged Athletes Foundation and send to CAF Headquarters (Address: 9591 Waples St, San Diego, CA 92121) and indicate the recipient’s name on the memo line.

You have been awarded a grant for Funding Towards Equipment. Please read the following terms and conditions of this grant carefully:

• This Funding Towards Equipment Grant can cover any expenses associated with purchasing sport equipment from the vendor of your choosing.

• Funds can be used towards the purchase any sport-related equipment, even if it differs from the equipment you listed in your application.
• This is considered an equipment grant. Accepting this grant means you will not be eligible to apply for another equipment grant until the Fall of 2024 (if under 18) or Fall of 2025 (if over 18).
• Equipment grant recipients are not permitted to sell granted equipment for financial gain. CAF grant equipment that is no longer used due to being outdated or outgrown should either be donated to a local adaptive sports program/team or given to another athlete free of charge to advance adaptive sport. Selling CAF grant equipment will result in an individual being prohibited from applying for future CAF grants for a minimum of 5 years.
• You will be required to upload receipts to your grant portal to show proof of purchases before 1/31/2024. CAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which conducts an annual independent audit. Failure to submit receipts for any reason could impact your ability to receive future grants. Photos of receipts are acceptable.
• Grant funds are to be spent on purchases/expenses within the 2023 grant period (March 21, 2023 – January 31, 2024). Grant funds are NOT to be used as reimbursement for past purchases/expenses.
• Unused grant funds must be returned to CAF before the grant cycle ends on 1/31/2024. Please contact [email protected] to learn more about returning grant funds.
• You may request to change your grant to a Sport Expense Grant for funding towards coaching, training, competitions, and equipment maintenance/small equipment purchases. To inquire about a grant change, please contact [email protected].

Go to the Grant Portal login and click on “Forgot Your Password?” located on the login page. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have trouble logging in.

Log into the Grant Portal. On the Home page, you always have access to Profile. Click the EDIT button to update any of your profile information.