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Sam Schmidt Foundation (Conquer Paralysis Now)

Annual Giving
$12.7M
Grant Range
$50K - $10.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Revenue: $12.7 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $33.5 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Research grants up to $50,000 per category; $20 million total planned over 10 years for CPN Challenge
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

Website: www.conquerparalysisnow.org

Email: info@conquerparalysisnow.org

Phone: (702) 463-4874

Headquarters:

  • Indianapolis, IN: 1300 E 96th St Ste 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240-0149
  • Las Vegas, NV: 701 E. Bridger Avenue Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Research Grant Inquiries: cpnchallenge@conquerparalysisnow.org

Overview

Founded in 2000 by former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt following a racing accident that left him quadriplegic (C-3/4/5 spinal cord injury), the Sam Schmidt Foundation was rebranded as Conquer Paralysis Now (CPN) in 2014-2015. With total assets of $33.5 million and annual revenue of $12.7 million, the organization leads the charge for a cure to paralysis by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and technological advances. To date, CPN has invested more than $15 million in research and programs. The foundation operates two DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Centers in Las Vegas (opened 2018) and Indianapolis (opened 2024), providing cutting-edge, long-term rehabilitation for people with paralysis and neurological conditions. Schmidt's motto, "It's not if, but when?" reflects the organization's commitment to finding a cure, with his trademarked logo "Racing to Recovery" symbolizing that "a cure for spinal cord injury is my checkered flag."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CPN Challenge Program - Plans to award nearly $20 million in grants and prizes over 10 years, including a $10 million grand prize. The Challenge is divided into three stages of increasing difficulty, with Stage I providing seed funding to a wide range of non-traditional approaches.

Individual grant categories include:

  • New Investigator Award: $50,000 - Attracts and supports new researchers in the field of SCI with novel approaches (two grants available)
  • The Lone Star Foundation Collaboration Award: $50,000 - Funds interdisciplinary collaborations (two grants available)
  • Michael Fux Foundation Reaching & Grasping Award: $50,000 - Research towards restoring reaching and grasping function (two grants available)
  • Out of the Box Awards: $50,000 - Provides initial funding for risky, high-potential research ideas (two grants available)
  • Translation Awards: $50,000 - Moves research from animal experiments towards human clinical trials (two grants available)
  • Trial & Error Prize: Recognizes research outlining proposed reporting standards for spinal cord injury experiments

Quality of Life Grants - Provides grants for specified, qualified projects to organizations throughout the country benefiting people with paralysis and other life challenges. Examples include funding for wheelchair ramps, sports opportunities, and adaptive equipment.

College Scholarships - Provides scholarships for individuals with spinal cord injuries/paralysis pursuing higher education.

Priority Areas

  • Spinal cord injury research and cure development
  • Activity-based therapy and neurorecovery programs
  • Regenerative medicine including neurostimulation and stem cell therapies
  • Innovative rehabilitation strategies
  • Clinical trials and breakthrough technologies
  • Quality of life improvements for individuals with paralysis and neurological disorders
  • Support for organizations serving people with disabilities

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly documented. The research focus is specifically on paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and neurological disorders.

Governance and Leadership

Sam Schmidt - Founder and Chairman of the Board. Former IndyCar driver who became quadriplegic following a crash at Walt Disney World Speedway in January 2000. Schmidt states, "if you don't try, nothing will happen," reflecting his approach to both recovery and the foundation's mission.

Brandi Kurka - Principal Officer

Board of Directors includes:

  • Bill (Treasurer)
  • Ed Mattix (Secretary)
  • Todd Davis - Has looked for opportunities to use technology to solve real-world problems
  • Adell Means - Business strategist, entrepreneur, and community leader with more than 20 years of experience who brings business discipline and community commitment to the Board
  • Michael Kret - Board Member

Staff Leadership:

  • Christine Louck - Chief Financial Officer

The organization honors Don Brooks in memory as a founding board member.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Research Grants (CPN Challenge):

  • Applicants must register on omnicompete.com before submitting entries for the CPN Challenge
  • Email research grant inquiries to: cpnchallenge@conquerparalysisnow.org
  • The Challenge was launched through a multi-stage competition structure

For Quality of Life Grants: Specific application procedures for quality-of-life grants to organizations are not publicly documented on their website. Organizations interested in quality-of-life grants should contact the foundation directly at info@conquerparalysisnow.org or (702) 463-4874.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Contact the foundation directly for timeline information.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. For the CPN Challenge, unsuccessful applicants received the opportunity to resubmit in later rounds.

Application Success Factors

Based on the CPN Challenge structure and mission, successful applications likely demonstrate:

For Research Grants:

  • Novel, non-traditional approaches to spinal cord injury treatment
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration bringing together different fields
  • High-risk, high-potential research ideas that push boundaries
  • Clear pathway from animal research to human clinical trials
  • Focus on practical outcomes: standing, reaching and grasping, bowel and bladder control
  • Strong potential for translation into therapies that help patients

For Quality of Life Grants:

  • Direct benefit to people with paralysis and neurological conditions
  • Projects serving organizations that support the disability community
  • Programs that enhance independence and quality of life
  • Examples from past funding include wheelchair ramps and adaptive sports opportunities

Sam Schmidt's Philosophy: The foundation embraces Schmidt's motto "if you don't try, nothing will happen" and seeks researchers and organizations willing to take calculated risks to advance the field.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • CPN focuses on two distinct funding streams: cutting-edge research to cure paralysis and practical quality-of-life improvements for those living with disabilities
  • The organization values bold, innovative approaches and is willing to fund high-risk research with transformative potential
  • With $33.5 million in assets and a 10-year, $20 million research grant program, CPN represents significant long-term funding opportunity
  • The foundation operates hands-on rehabilitation centers (DRIVEN), demonstrating commitment beyond grant-making to direct service provision
  • Research grants emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and translation of findings into clinical applications
  • Quality-of-life grants support organizations serving people with paralysis - contact the foundation directly as application process is not publicly documented
  • The personal story of founder Sam Schmidt, a quadriplegic former race car driver, drives the mission with urgency: "It's not if, but when?" regarding finding a cure
  • Beyond grants, CPN offers Day at the Races programs connecting newly injured individuals with resources and hope through the racing community

References

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