Kendall Gretsch Fund for Adaptive Athletes

Geographic Scope: Illinois residents only

Focus Areas: Promotes sports and adaptive athletics for children and adults with spina bifida

Eligible Activities:

• Sports-related registration fees
• Equipment expenses
• Travel expenses for sporting events
• Adaptive sports including wheelchair basketball, swimming, sled-hockey, taekwondo, para-triathlon, Nordic skiing, wheelchair tennis

Award Information:

• In 2022-23, distributed 38 awards totaling over $10,000
• Met all financial requests received
• Also provides matching grants in partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) for adaptive equipment
• Made $1,000 gift to YMCA in Champaign, IL to start wheelchair basketball team

Eligibility:

• Illinois residents with spina bifida (children and adults)
• Both elite and beginner athletes

Background:
Established by six-time Paralympic medalist Kendall Gretsch of Downers Grove, Illinois. Kendall was born with spina bifida and competes in para-triathlon and Nordic skiing. She won two golds in women's biathlon sprint and cross-country long distance at 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games, gold in paratriathlon wheelchair event at 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and bronze, silver, and gold medals in biathlon events at Beijing 2022 Paralympics. She is the fifth American to claim gold medals at both summer and winter Paralympic Games.

Contact:

• Phone: (773) 444-0305
• Email: info@i-sba.org
• Website: i-sba.org/sportsfund
• Applications sent to people on ISBA's mailing list

Application Process

• Distribution: Fund applications are sent to Illinois residents on ISBA's mailing list living with spina bifida
• To Apply: Contact ISBA to sign up for the free mailing list
• Contact Information:
  • Phone/Text: (773) 444-0305
  • Email: info@i-sba.org
  • Website: i-sba.org/sportsfund
• Required Information: Proof of spina bifida diagnosis may be required