Reeve Foundation awards more than $25K for adaptive mountain biking gear, camps

High Fives Foundation has been awarded $24,549 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2024 Direct Effect 1st Cycle Quality of Life grants.

Seventy-three grants totaling $1,472,579 were awarded. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations empowering individuals with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 3,800 grants totaling $44 million have been awarded. Funding was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living.

The Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center has several grants under the Quality of Life program awarding grants in different category areas and varying in different amounts.

“These grants are dedicated to restoring independence to our community members,” Dan McNeal, Director of the Quality of Life Grants Program at the Reeve Foundation said. “Our primary mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with paralysis. We are honored to collaborate with numerous committed organizations that tirelessly ensure accessibility and inclusivity and are integral to their programs.”

High Fives Foundation will use the grant to grow its adaptive mountain bike programming by expanding its fleet of adaptive mountain bike equipment, updating safety gear and hosting adaptive mountain biking camps. The grant will also help raise awareness about adaptive sports, and foster inclusivity and accessibility in outdoor recreation.

“We’re truly honored to receive this grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation,” Roy Tuscany, CEO and founder of High Fives Foundation said. “Their support allows us to grow our adaptive mountain biking program, providing more access, camps and equipment for athletes of all abilities. We’re grateful for their partnership in helping us create greater opportunities for individuals living with paralysis.”

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. Through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being and independence of individuals living with paralysis, and provides comprehensive information, resources and referral services assisting more than 130,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence.

The project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of a financial assistance award totaling $8,700,000 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS.

High Fives Nonprofit Foundation focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and provides resources and hope if they happen. The foundation was formed as a way to “pay-it-forward” by founder Roy Tuscany, after his own recovery from a spinal cord injury. The Foundation has expanded to help 815 athletes from 47 states & territories and Canada since its inception in 2009. The High Fives Foundation is a California-based, national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.