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Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.3 million+ (Quality of Life Grants) + $3.1 million (Research Grants)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications in fall, awards by December 31
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000 (depending on program tier)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (primarily) with international eligibility for research grants

Contact Details

Address: 636 Morris Turnpike Suite 3A, Short Hills, NJ 07078

Phone:

  • Toll-free: 1-800-225-0292
  • International: +1 973-379-2690
  • National Paralysis Resource Center: 973-467-8270

Email: [email protected]

Quality of Life Grants: QOL@ChristopherReeve.org

Website: www.christopherreeve.org

Overview

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation was established in 1982 (merged with American Paralysis Association in 1988) and is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury through funding innovative research while improving quality of life for people living with paralysis. With assets of approximately $25 million, the Foundation operates under a dual mission of "Today's Care. Tomorrow's Cure®." Since 1999, the Quality of Life Grants Program has awarded over $48 million to more than 4,000 projects across the United States. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated a historic milestone: the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for spinal cord injury. The organization also launched SCI Ventures, the world's first philanthropic venture fund dedicated to catalyzing the funding and commercialization of innovative SCI treatments. President and CEO Maggie Goldberg, who has been with the organization for over twenty years, emphasizes the Foundation's role as an "unbiased partner, with the capability to bring together key players across the ecosystem."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Quality of Life Grants (Two Cycles Annually):

  • Direct Effect (Tier 1): $5,000 - $24,999 for a wide array of programs and activities
  • Priority Impact (Tiers 2-4): Higher maximum award amounts for targeted high-priority issues; 12-18 month project timelines
  • Expanded Impact (Tier 5): Approximately four grants of up to $100,000 each; 24-month project timeline
  • Application Method: Online portal, twice yearly (spring and fall cycles)

Research Grants:

  • Pre-Clinical Research RFA: $250,000 maximum over 1-2 years for pre-IND/pre-IDE stage drug and biologics development
  • Clinical Trial Support: Grants up to $3.1 million for SCI research and clinical trials
  • Application Method: Two-stage process with initial Letter of Interest, then invitation-only full application

Priority Areas

Quality of Life Grants:

  • Programs serving people with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other conditions (stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, ALS)
  • Adaptive sports and recreation programs
  • Accessible playground and facility construction
  • Peer support groups and community engagement programs
  • Aquatics and fitness programs
  • Caregiving support for families caring for loved ones with disabilities
  • Special consideration for: wounded military veterans and families, cultural communities, persons at risk of incarceration, non-majority groups, homeless, tribal communities, rural residents, and newly injured individuals

Research Grants:

  • Neuroprotection, regeneration, and plasticity research
  • Bladder control and management studies
  • Brain-computer interface technology for reversing upper limb paralysis
  • Preclinical therapeutic development and testing

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not make grants to individuals—only to qualified nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)), municipal and state governments, school districts, recognized tribal entities, and institutions such as community or veterans hospitals.

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Maggie Goldberg—with the Foundation for over 20 years, brings personal experience having recovered from a C2 spinal cord injury at age 16. As she states: "Christopher and Dana continue to be a source of tremendous inspiration, and their legacy of work on behalf of the paralysis community is strong and enduring."

Board Chair: Jim Calbi—elected October 2023, serves as Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

Board Members:

  • Alexandra Reeve Givens—President & CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology (daughter of Christopher and Dana Reeve)
  • John M. Hughes—Chair Emeritus
  • Tom Londres—Chair, Research and Planning Committee
  • All three of Christopher Reeve's children serve on the board of directors

Director, Quality of Life Grants Program: Daniel McNeal

The Foundation's leadership emphasizes collaboration and serving as a convener of key stakeholders across the paralysis and spinal cord injury ecosystem.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Quality of Life Grants: Applications are completed online through the Reeve Foundation grants portal (accessed via www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=christopherreeve). The Foundation offers two grant cycles annually—spring and fall.

Pre-Application Support:

  • Free Application Technical Assistance Webinar held each cycle with Q&A period
  • Questions can be submitted to QOL@ChristopherReeve.org
  • Questions are aggregated and answered in a Q&A document posted on the website
  • Individual pre-award assistance by telephone or email is not available to ensure fairness

Research Grants: Two-stage process beginning with Letter of Interest submission, followed by invitation-only full grant application for selected applicants.

Decision Timeline

Quality of Life Grants:

  • Spring Cycle: Applications typically due early March
  • Fall Cycle: Applications typically due early October
  • Awards announced by December 31 following the application deadline
  • Funded projects in Tiers 1 & 2 must be completed in 12 months; Tier 3 in 18 months; Tier 4 & 5 in 24 months

Research Grants: Timing varies by Request for Applications (RFA); milestone-based funding over 1-2 year grant terms.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rates. However, recent data shows:

  • 2024: 81 grants awarded
  • 2023: 139 grants awarded
  • 2022: 156 grants awarded
  • 2021: 183 grants awarded
  • 2024 Quality of Life cycle: 112 organizations received $3.3 million+ in funding

Since 1999, more than 4,000 Quality of Life grants have been awarded totaling over $48 million.

Reapplication Policy

For Previously Awarded Grantees: Organizations can re-apply for funding one year after the close of their grant and notification of grant closure by the Foundation.

For Unsuccessful Applicants: The Foundation does not provide "direction or comment on denied applications" as providing feedback would create an "unfair advantage over other applicants." No explicit waiting period is stated for reapplication, suggesting organizations may apply in subsequent cycles. For specific questions, contact QOL@Reeve.org.

Application Success Factors

Use Outcome-Based Evaluation: The Foundation emphasizes telling "a more in-depth, rich, and impactful story highlighting the success of your work." Applications should clearly describe how the project will be evaluated and how success will be measured, listing major outputs and outcomes.

Demonstrate Direct Impact on People with Paralysis: Successful applications clearly articulate how the project will directly benefit individuals living with paralysis, their families, and caregivers. Recent funded examples include:

  • High Fives Foundation: $24,549 for adaptive mountain bike programming (2024-2025)
  • YMCA of Central Stark County: $5,152 for Community Fitness Accessibility
  • Accessible playground construction in Crescent Springs, Kentucky
  • Peer support groups in Belton, Texas
  • Aquatics programs for veterans in Long Beach, California

Align with Priority Populations: The Foundation gives "special consideration to organizations that serve returning wounded military and their families, and those providing targeted services to cultural communities, including persons at risk of incarceration, non-majority groups, homeless, tribal communities, rural residents, and newly injured people with paralysis."

Leverage Technical Assistance: Attend the free Application Technical Assistance Webinar offered each cycle. Review the comprehensive Application and Program Guidelines documents thoroughly before applying.

Understand the Tier Structure: Match your project scope and budget to the appropriate tier—don't ask for a Tier 1 grant if your project requires Tier 3 or higher funding levels.

Follow All Guidelines: Read Eligibility Criteria, Funding Restrictions, and Application Guidelines carefully. The Foundation provides extensive documentation to help applicants understand requirements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Dual Mission Alignment: Projects should align with either "Today's Care" (quality of life improvements) or "Tomorrow's Cure" (research/clinical trials), with most nonprofits applying through Quality of Life grants
  • Outcome Focus: Strong applications demonstrate measurable outcomes and clear evaluation methods—show exactly how you'll know if your project succeeded
  • Priority Populations Matter: Highlighting service to veterans, rural communities, cultural minorities, tribal communities, or newly injured individuals can strengthen applications
  • Two Shots Per Year: With spring and fall cycles, plan strategically about which cycle best fits your project timeline and organizational capacity
  • Tiered Approach: Understand which tier matches your project scope—starting with Tier 1 ($5,000-$24,999) is appropriate for most first-time applicants
  • No Feedback on Denials: Since the Foundation doesn't provide feedback on unsuccessful applications, consider having external reviewers assess your application before submission
  • Webinar Participation: The free technical assistance webinar is your best opportunity to understand current priorities and application expectations—attend it
  • Collaborative Spirit: The Foundation values its role as a convener and unbiased partner; demonstrate how your work fits into the broader paralysis community ecosystem

References

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