Quality of Life Grants Program: Direct Effect- Tier 1

The Quality of Life Grants Program, managed by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, provides funding of up to $25,000 for projects that support individuals living with paralysis. This program emphasizes community engagement and health promotion in all U.S. states and territories. It focuses on funding initiatives that directly impact those affected by various conditions, such as spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis, fostering inclusion and well-being.

See separate grant page for High Impact Priority Impact Quality of Life grants. High Impact Priority Quality of Life grants are offered once per year, in the 1st grant cycle. See separate grant page for Expanded Impact Tier Quality of Life grants which are currently being offered once per year, in the 1st grant cycle.
Program overview
As a pillar of the Paralysis Resource Center, the Quality of Life Grants Program, pioneered by the late Dana Reeve, impacts and empowers people living with paralysis, their families and caregivers by providing grants to nonprofit organizations whose projects and initiatives foster inclusion, involvement and community engagement, while promoting health and wellness for those affected by paralysis in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Grants have been awarded in all fifty states, a number of U.S. territories and though we no longer fund projects outside of the United States of America, grants have previously been awarded in 33 countries outside the U.S.
Quality of Life Grant Details
Grants are awarded to organizations that address the needs of people living with paralysis caused by spinal cord and other injuries, diseases or birth conditions, including (but not limited to) stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Direct Effect (Tier 1) is open-focused and awards grants of up to $25,000 to support a wide range of projects and activities. Grants fund programs and projects that will clearly impact individuals living with paralysis and their families.
Direct Effect Quality of Life grants fund specific budget items up to a total of $25,000 to support the wide range of projects and activities that will clearly impact individuals living with paralysis and their families. Funded projects must be completed within 12 months after the award is received.
Examples of funded projects may include (but are not limited to):
sports wheelchairs for a wheelchair basketball team; adapted glider in a community playground; kayak for a rowing program; accessible gym equipment; hydraulic lift at a pool; electronic door openers at a community center; workshop education series on sex and sexuality with a spinal cord injury; wheelchair accessible picnic table at a county fairground; program for preventing abuse in adaptive sports; camp programs; subsidized lessons for therapeutic riding; transportation costs for an inclusive afterschool program; and support groups.
See Types of Direct Effect (Tier 1) Projects Funded
Direct Effect grants will have short- to mid-range impact. Long-range impact and sustainability are not expected for projects at this level. Grantees will be required to submit a 6-month interim report and a final report and evaluation survey at the end of the project.

Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, municipal and state governments, school districts, recognized tribal entities, and community or veterans hospitals.