High Fives Foundation Launches Empowerment Fund (Cycle 2)

The High Fives Foundation Empowerment Fund provides up to $25,000 in need-based financial support for individuals in North America recovering from life-altering injuries. It funds adaptive sports, outdoor recreation, and adaptive equipment to support rehabilitation, independence, and long-term recovery for people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, and other mobility-limiting conditions.

What is the High Fives Foundation Empowerment Fund?

The Empowerment Fund is a financial assistance programme created by the High Fives Foundation to support individuals recovering from serious, life-changing injuries.

It focuses on using outdoor adventure sports and adaptive recreation as tools for:

• Physical rehabilitation
• Mental recovery and resilience
• Independence building
• Confidence restoration
• Long-term reintegration into active life

The programme is aligned with the Foundation’s mission of prevention, recovery, and empowerment through sport.

Core Purpose and Recovery Philosophy

The Empowerment Fund is built on the belief that adaptive sport plays a critical role in recovery.

It supports:

• Physical recovery through movement-based rehabilitation
• Emotional healing through outdoor engagement
• Social reintegration through adaptive sports communities
• Skill rebuilding and independence
• Long-term lifestyle adaptation after injury

Key Focus Areas and Themes

The fund supports recovery journeys linked to adaptive sports and physical recreation.

Medical and Injury Types Supported:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Amputations
• Other mobility-limiting life-altering injuries

Eligible Causes of Injury:

• Outdoor action sports accidents
• Military service-related injuries
• Vehicle accidents
• Falls and similar trauma incidents

Programme Themes:

• Adaptive outdoor sports participation
• Rehabilitation through sport
• Recovery-focused recreation
• Adaptive equipment access
• Physical independence and mobility support
• Confidence and mental resilience building

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility is based on injury type, residency, and recovery goals.

Eligible Applicants:

• Individuals with qualifying life-altering injuries
• Military personnel with service-connected injuries
• People pursuing adaptive sports-based recovery goals

Residency Requirement:

• Must reside in North America
• Recovery activities must take place within North America

Health Requirement:

• Must maintain valid and current healthcare coverage

Important Inclusion Criteria:

• Injury does NOT need to have occurred in North America
• Must demonstrate clear adaptive sport or recreation recovery goals

Who is NOT Eligible?

Applicants are not eligible if:

• Injury is due to congenital degenerative conditions
• Injury is caused by certain medical accidents outside scope
• Injury is caused by violent acts
• Recovery goals are not linked to adaptive sport or recreation
• Application has been denied three times previously
• Reapplication is attempted within one year of a denial

Funding Amount and Limits

• Maximum funding per application: up to $25,000
• Requests must not exceed this limit
• Funding is need-based and case-specific

What the Fund Covers

The Empowerment Fund supports recovery-related expenses directly connected to adaptive sport.

Eligible Costs:

• Adaptive sports equipment
• Mobility and accessibility gear
• Outdoor recreation equipment
• Recovery-related travel (when justified)
• Sport-specific adaptive technology
• Program participation costs
• Rehabilitation-related physical activity expenses

Core Requirement:

All funding must directly support recovery through adaptive sport or outdoor recreation.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit detailed documentation to demonstrate eligibility and recovery goals.

Required Information:

1. Injury Details

• Type of injury
• Date of injury
• Circumstances of injury

2. Recovery Goals

• Clear description of rehabilitation objectives
• Explanation of adaptive sport involvement
• Long-term recovery vision

3. Funding Justification

• How funding will support recovery goals
• Connection between equipment/program and rehabilitation

4. Budget Plan

• Full cost breakdown
• Itemized expenses
• Total request (max $25,000)

How the Empowerment Fund Works

Step 1: Eligibility Review

Applicant confirms injury type and residency eligibility.

Step 2: Application Submission

Submit injury narrative, recovery goals, and budget.

Step 3: Review Process

Applications are assessed based on:

• Medical eligibility
• Alignment with adaptive sport recovery model
• Financial need
• Clarity of recovery plan

Step 4: Funding Decision

Approved applicants receive funding for approved recovery goals.

Step 5: Implementation

Funds are used for adaptive sports participation and recovery support.

Key Conditions and Restrictions

• Must be recovery-focused (not general financial aid)
• Must support adaptive sport or outdoor recreation
• Must be within North America
• Must maintain healthcare coverage
• Must not exceed $25,000 request limit
• Must not be reapplying after 3 denials (with restrictions)

Why This Programme Matters

The Empowerment Fund supports recovery by:

• Enabling access to adaptive sports and recreation
• Improving physical rehabilitation outcomes
• Supporting mental health and resilience after trauma
• Increasing independence for injured individuals
• Providing access to expensive adaptive equipment
• Building inclusive outdoor sports communities
• Reinforcing sport-based recovery models

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants often face rejection due to:

• Weak connection between injury and adaptive sport goals
• Missing or incomplete injury documentation
• No clear recovery plan or outcomes
• Request exceeding $25,000 limit
• Applying from outside North America
• Ineligible injury type (e.g., degenerative conditions)
• Lack of detailed budget breakdown
• Reapplying too soon after denial

Key Concepts Explained

Adaptive Sports

Sports modified or designed for individuals with physical disabilities or injuries.

Life-Altering Injury

A serious injury that significantly affects mobility, independence, or physical function.

Rehabilitation Through Sport

Recovery model using physical activity and sport to restore function, confidence, and independence.

Mobility-Limiting Injury

Any injury that restricts movement or physical capability long-term.

Empowerment Model

A recovery approach focused on independence, confidence, and active lifestyle rebuilding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the High Fives Foundation Empowerment Fund?

It is a grant programme supporting recovery through adaptive sports for individuals with serious injuries.

2. How much funding is available?

Up to $25,000 per applicant.

3. Who can apply?

Individuals in North America with qualifying life-altering injuries.

4. What types of injuries qualify?

Spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, and other mobility-limiting injuries.

5. What can the funding be used for?

Adaptive equipment, sports participation, and recovery-related recreational expenses.

6. Can military personnel apply?

Yes, if they have service-related injuries and adaptive sport recovery goals.

7. Can I reapply if I am rejected?

Yes, but only after one year, and not after three total denials.

Conclusion

The High Fives Foundation Empowerment Fund is a targeted recovery grant that uses adaptive sports and outdoor recreation as tools for rehabilitation. By funding equipment, activities, and recovery goals up to $25,000, it helps individuals with life-altering injuries rebuild independence, confidence, and physical capability while fostering long-term healing through active engagement.