Athletics for Persons with Disabilities Grant

The Athletics for Persons with Disabilities grant program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and is funded through the state budget to support inclusive athletic programming. This program is designed to provide financial assistance to statewide nonprofit athletic organizations that serve individuals with disabilities. It reflects an ongoing state commitment to improving access to organized sports, physical activity, and competitive opportunities for individuals who may otherwise face barriers to participation. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund athletic training and competition programs for individuals with disabilities. Organizations receiving funding are expected to deliver structured sports training opportunities and organize athletic competitions that are accessible and inclusive. These activities aim to promote physical health, skill development, and community engagement while also supporting athletes in reaching competitive goals at local, state, and national levels. Funding provided through this program is limited strictly to program-related expenses. Allowable costs include personnel expenses such as salaries and fringe benefits, as well as operating costs like facility space, consumables, equipment, and participant travel. Additionally, funds may be used for contracted services necessary to deliver programming. Administrative expenses are not permitted under this grant, and there are no caps on individual program budget line items as long as all costs are justified and directly tied to program delivery. Capital expenditures such as land, buildings, or vehicles are not allowable. Eligibility for this grant is restricted to a small number of identified statewide nonprofit athletic organizations with demonstrated capacity to serve athletes with disabilities. Applicants must be able to provide athletic programming across the state or support national-level competitions. They are required to demonstrate experience working with individuals with disabilities and the organizational ability to deliver both training and competitive events that meet program standards. The application process requires submission through the SAGE system and includes a comprehensive set of materials. Applicants must provide updated agency information, a board of directors listing, detailed program descriptions, objectives, scope of services, a needs assessment, certifications, and a proposed program budget. Required attachments include certifications regarding debarment and lobbying, as well as an organizational resolution. Applications are evaluated based on organizational qualifications, demonstrated need, financial management practices, program design, and the level of services provided. The application deadline for this funding cycle is August 14, 2026, and all submissions must be completed by that date. The grant period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, defining the timeframe in which funded activities must be completed. There is no technical assistance meeting scheduled for this cycle. Applicants seeking additional information may contact Jennifer Underwood at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs via phone or email. Grantees are required to comply with all applicable state requirements, including fiscal and audit standards, and must submit regular performance and financial reports. Program outcomes are evaluated based on the number of individuals served, the frequency and scale of competitions organized, and the organization’s ability to deliver measurable results aligned with program goals. This program operates on a recurring annual basis, consistent with state budget allocations and ongoing support for adaptive athletics.

Ensure statewide service capacity is clearly demonstrated; align program outcomes with required performance metrics; provide detailed and justified program budget; emphasize experience with athletes with disabilities