KBF Awards $358,000 in Largest Ever Active Fund Grant Cycle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Kelly Brush Foundation Awards $358,000 in Largest Active Fund Grant Cycle in Organization History

BURLINGTON, VT (November 18, 2020) – The Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF) is thrilled to announce that 111 people with spinal cord injuries received $358,000 in grant funding for adaptive sports equipment this fall. This was the most funding ever awarded in one grant cycle in the organization’s 15 year history.

Due to Covid-19 the KBF cancelled all of its in-person fundraising events in 2020. However, the organization’s supporters from across the country stepped up to participate in virtual events and pledged their support in order to ensure that people with spinal cord injuries had the opportunity to find happiness and health through recreation. Their support made it possible for the KBF to not only have a fall 2020 grant cycle, but to have the largest amount ever granted by the organization.

The KBF awarded $358,000 in grant funding to 111 people living in 31 states across the U.S. The grants included 23 road handcycles, 15 offroad handcycles, 9 monoskis, 9 basketball chairs, 8 all-terrain chairs, 6 rugby chairs, 4 tennis chairs, 4 nordic sit-skis, 19 “try-it-first” grants to help people get more experience with specific equipment, and other assorted equipment.

“This year has been challenging in so many ways, especially for our grant recipient community,” said Executive Director Zeke Davisson. “People are experiencing more barriers to getting active and increased financial strain. It makes it harder than ever to purchase the adaptive sports equipment that people with SCI need in order to participate in sports. Thanks to our incredible supporters we were able to help more people than ever before and provide hope and happiness at the end of a difficult year.”

The Active Fund consists of a spring and a fall grant cycle, with two opportunities per year for people to apply for adaptive sports equipment funding. The next opportunity to apply will be the Spring 2021 Active Fund grant cycle, which will open in January. Check the website for updates, information, and applications: kellybrushfoundation.org/theactivefund

Media Contact:
Whitney Coombs, Kelly Brush Foundation, 802-846-5298 ext 104

About Kelly Brush Foundation
The Kelly Brush Foundation is a dynamic and growing Burlington, Vermont-based non-profit inspiring and empowering people with spinal cord injuries to be active and working closely with the alpine ski racing community to improve safety. The Kelly Brush Foundation was founded in 2006 by Kelly and her family after Kelly sustained a spinal cord injury while racing in an NCAA alpine ski race. To date the Kelly Brush Foundation has awarded over 1,064 adaptive sports equipment grants to people in 48 states.