ACL's National Paralysis Resource Center will open a new application cycle for the Direct Effect Quality of Life grants (up to $25,000) and the Expanded Effect Quality of Life (up to $100,000) grants on February 3, 2020. Applications are due March 16.
Quality of Life (QOL) grants are federally funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. This program recognizes projects and initiatives that foster community engagement, inclusion and involvement, while promoting health and wellness for individuals living with paralysis and their support networks.
The Direct Effect QOL grants offer up to $25,000 to nonprofit organizations for projects that address the needs of individuals living with paralysis, their families, and caregivers. The grant may fund a wide range of projects such as, adaptive sports, fitness and wellness, educational opportunities, and more.
The Expanded Effect QOL grants are awarded to previously funded QOL grantees whose programs and/or projects have achieved demonstrable, successful impact. Approximately six grants of up to $100,000 each will support significant expansion of strategies and programs that are evidence-based, show innovate promising practices, and/or best practices in the field they serve to improve quality of life for people with paralysis, their families, and caregivers.
Applicants are encouraged to read the updated Application and Program Guidelines, which include new Eligibility Criteria, and an overview of the QOL grant program and the QOL grant application process. Scoring rubrics and application review forms are now included in the guidelines to enable applicants to better understand how their proposals are evaluated.
QOL grant applications are available and are to be completed online through the Reeve Foundation online grants portal by Monday, March 16 at 11:59 pm ET.
The Foundation is no longer able to provide individual pre-award assistance either by telephone or email. However, they welcome questions about the application process to QOL@ChristopherReeve.org. All questions submitted via email will be collected, aggregated, and answered in a Questions and Answers document posted on their website. The deadline for emailed questions is Friday, February 14.
ACL funds the National Paralysis Resource Center to provide comprehensive information for people living with spinal cord injury, paralysis and mobility-related disabilities and their support networks. Resources include information and referral by phone and email in multiple languages including Spanish; a peer and family support mentoring program; a military and veterans program; multicultural outreach services; quality of life grants; and a national website.