USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Fencing is proud to announce that with the support of the Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF), we are looking to grow parafencing! KBF has recently released its fall cycle for The Active Fund, which is a grant for individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury to purchase adaptive sports equipment.

Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging, Shannon Jolly shared “As we continue growing the sport of fencing, it's important that we increase access for everyone, which as we know, can be difficult with the costs associated with equipment. As such, I'm thrilled to work alongside KBF to provide equipment to grow our parafencing program.”

Beth Mahr, USA Fencing’s Parafencing Manager, shared the same sentiment, “The Kelly Brush Foundation has been making a great impact in access opportunities for athletes in a variety of adaptive sports. We are so excited to add parafencing to that list and provide some of our athletes will additional grant opportunities for the necessary equipment.”

USA Fencing and the Kelly Brush Foundation are also collaborating to add Parafencing to the KBF's Active Project, a first-of-its-kind digital platform that provides people with disabilities with all the resources they need to return to sports. With instructional videos, a directory of programs and events, and the ability to connect with other fencers across the country, the Active Project will help more people discover and learn about Parafencing than ever before.

About the Kelly Brush Foundation

KBF is dedicated to making active lifestyles a reality for those who have experienced a spinal cord injury. They offer the inspiration to believe and the grants to enable anyone to buy the equipment they need to get out and go. But the KBF funds more than just recreation, because when you’re out there on the hill, road or trail, as your heart rate rises and you feel the wind on your face, disability fades away. An active lifestyle forges connections with others — both new friends and old, in and out of a chair.

The KBF was founded by Kelly and her family after Kelly was injured in 2006 at an NCAA alpine ski race. Since our founding, we’ve been committed to ski racing safety and will continue to advocate and provide resources so that every ski racer is training and competing on the safest possible venues.

Applicants

Eligible applicants for this grant are individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury who reside in the United States. Through the Active Fund, the Kelly Brush Foundation provides grants for individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury to purchase adaptive sports equipment. The equipment can be any piece of sports or recreation equipment specifically designed for people with disabilities that allow the applicant to be active. The Grant Committee does want it noted that first-hand experience using the desired equipment in the environment intended for use is extremely important.

They will give preference to equipment that provides fitness benefit, but will consider applications for power equipment in the case where the applicant can explain why that type of equipment is the best and most appropriate for him/her to live an active lifestyle.

The deadline to apply for the grant is September 13 at 5 pm Eastern. The application link can be found here.