U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), is accepting proposals for the 2012 Olympic Opportunity Fund. The program will provide $1.6 million in grants to community-based organizations to create and expand Paralympic sport and physical activity programs for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. Completed applications are due by May 11, 2012.
Through this program, from funding through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the USOC and partner organizations will collaborate to increase the number and quality of opportunities for physically or visually impaired veterans to participate in physical activities within their home communities and in more advanced Paralympic sport programs at the regional and national levels.
“This grant funding is an integral key to the rehabilitation and health of our disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces,” said Chris Nowak, director, VA National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. “Organizations providing adaptive sport opportunities and programs for veterans can stretch their resources further and serve more veterans. We are pleased to partner with the USOC to offer this funding.”
The USOC will award community-based programs with grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 (up to $1.6 million total). Organizations eligible to apply for the Olympic Opportunity Fund include Paralympic Sport Clubs, USOC member organizations, military and veteran organizations, universities, and other community-based organizations that provide Paralympic sports programming or opportunities to disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.
More information, including the request for application (RFA) documents can be found on the U.S. Paralympics website.
