Fund raising

Please read this successful Give Forward story

3. Organize a movie fund raiser: Murderball movie fund raiser

4. Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF) provides modest awards for assistive devices, rehabilitative services or arts and humanities projects for the benefit of children with disabilities. Applications may be submitted by families (parent or guardian) for an individual child, or by a non-profit organization for a small group of children.

Applications are available between April and September, by writing to:
 
Disabled Children's Relief Fund
P.O. Box 89
Freeport, New York 11520

Financing

1. American Association of People with Disabilities
   This organization's web site has a link to a credit union which  provides Mobility and Access Loans
   
   Diane DeAngelis, AAPD's Director of Marketing and Member Services, shares the following information:
   
   Members of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) can join the Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) to take advantage of this new loan product. Access Loans are now available for any product, device, or building modification designed to assist someone with a disability. Borrow from $1,500 to $25,000 or more for up to 72 months with no downpayment required. The borrower need not be the beneficiary of the purchase. Qualified purchases include, but are not limited to: Powered-non-vehicle transportation such as scooters, power wheelchairs, stair-climbing power chairs, all-terrain wheelchairs.
   
   Manual transportation such as standard manual wheelchairs, custom sport wheelchairs, and specialized hand cycles.
   
   Adaptive computer and communications equipment such as air tube systems for spinal cord injuries, voice systems for the blind, educational and rehabilitation systems for children and adults.
   
   Durable medical equipment such as slings for lifting paraplegics and quadriplegics, breathing systems, specialized beds.
   
   Rehabilitative equipment such as motorized equipment that exercises muscles and limbs
   
   Accessible building modifications such as bathroom and kitchen accessibility, ramp installation and widening doorways.
2. Bank of America
   Bank of America offers three types of Access Loans: "All-In-One" Vehicle Loans, Home Modification Loans for Homeowners, and Personal Loans for Special Needs.
   Personal Loans for Special Needs allow you to borrow money from the bank to finance the purchase of computers, motorized vehicles, wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment. The loans have lower minimum loan amounts with longer repayment periods as well as fixed interest rates.

Grants

1. SCORE
   SCORE's grant program aims to relieve some of the initial financial burden experienced by families dealing with a spinal cord injury.  SCORE confers grant preference to young people who are injured while participating in athletics.
2. United Healthcare Children’s Foundation
   Grant opportunities up to $5,000 may be available for RT300 candidates that are up to 16 years old  from United Healthcare Children’s Foundation.  Please read the criteria and checklist information carefully to see if you are eligible. Application process.
3. Optimist Clubs are a worldwide volunteer charitable organization that has been "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" since 1919. They encourage community involvement in many activities such as scholarship contests, sports, youth safety and youth recognition. Each Club is autonomous and run by members in their community. Optimists have the unique flexibility to serve the youth of their community in any way they see fit.  They have provided funding for cycles in a number of states.  To find the Optimist Club in your local community, please click on the link above.
4. Variety International - The Children's Charity
   Variety the Children's Charity is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children around the world.  Through our network of 50 Tents (or Chapters) in 14 counties, Variety reaches into communities across the globe to offer financial assistance and services to children and organizations that serve children with special needs.  Through hard work, thoughtful stewardship, and single-minded focus on the needs of the young, Variety strives to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, their families, our communities, and the world...one need at a time.