VA awards $16 million in adaptive sports grants to 91 organizations serving disabled veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the one-year grants on Oct. 6. Its recipient list names local nonprofits from Utah to Montana, along with local governments, universities and a few companies, but not what each one receives.
Washington. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Oct. 6 that it has awarded $16 million in new grants to 91 community-based organizations that run adaptive sports programs for veterans and service members with disabilities. The grants run from Sept. 30, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2027, according to the program's page.
The department said the money supports competitive and recreational activities such as archery, hunting, fishing, skiing, cycling and wheelchair sports. VA has awarded more than $150 million through its Adaptive Sports Grant Program since the program was established, the department said.
VA's recipient list gives each organization's name, city and state, but not the amount of its grant. Two regional VA offices published state totals. VA Montana Health Care said on Oct. 6 that three Montana organizations received more than $390,000, and the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System said on Oct. 7 that three Utah organizations received $256,674 in all.
VA's recipient list gives each organization's name, city and state, but not the amount of its grant. Two regional VA offices published state totals the next day and the same day. The VA Salt Lake City Health Care System said three Utah organizations received $256,674 in all, and VA Montana Health Care said three Montana organizations received more than $390,000.
Not every recipient is a charity. By the Herald's count, the list also includes three local governments, the Chicago Park District, the City of Reno and Miami-Dade County; two universities; and three applicants listed as limited liability companies.
Not every recipient is a charity. By the Herald's count, the list also includes three local governments, the Chicago Park District, the City of Reno and Miami-Dade County; two public universities; and at least three limited liability companies.
Who can apply
The grants are authorized under Section 521A of Title 38 of the U.S. Code. They pay for instruction, participation and competition in adaptive sports; training for program administrators, coaches, recreation therapists and instructors; and equipment, supplies, Paralympic classification of athletes and program evaluation.
Any non-federal entity with significant experience managing a large-scale adaptive sports program may apply; federal agencies may not. Under VA's rules, a program qualifies if it is affiliated with a National Paralympic Committee or a National Governing Body authorized to provide Paralympic sports, if it is a governing body's own adaptive sports program meeting further requirements, or if at least 50 people with disabilities take part or its participants live in at least five congressional districts.
The program's page says the funding notice for the next round, VA-SPORTS-27, will be available soon on the federal grants portal. It gives no date.
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