Ability360 Athletic Grants
Individual Athletic Grant
Team360
Team360 gives the opportunity for Ability 360 Sports & Fitness Center members, volunteers and staff that are interested in a more individual competitive setting to participate in community events and competitions.
Our mission of promoting independence and integration within the community is practiced by allowing members to take the skills and training they have learned, by putting them into practice in community and competitive settings; such as a 5K/10K run or a triathlon. These events provide more independent challenges while promoting growth and need for competitive adaptive sports in our community.
You can be a part of Team360. If you are interested in more information please contact Nick Pryor at NickP@ability360.org.
Team360 Athlete Grant Application
Introduction
Dear TEAM360 grant applicant,
Please read the information carefully before beginning your application as it outlines the requirements each applicant must meet to be considered for funding from Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center and TEAM360.
It is the mission of Ability360 to offer and promote programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community.
TEAM360 offers grants to members of the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center who have a disability.
Please complete the application exactly as instructed, including financial statements and all necessary documentation.
TEAM360 reserves the right to award a partial grant based upon the number of grant applications submitted and budgetary constraints.
Note: Cash reimbursement for equipment purchases will not be given. All equipment purchases will be paid for with a TEAM360 voucher or purchased directly by TEAM360.
What to Include
The following information is REQUIRED to be included in your application:
- REFERENCE LETTERS: Include two letters of reference along with phone numbers.
- One letter must come from a medical professional (ONLY physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or prosthetist) verifying your qualifying physical challenges.
- One letter must come from a fellow athlete, peer, family member, teacher, coach, or employer.
- YOUR UPDATED BIOGRAPHY OR STORY: 1-3 paragraphs about yourself, including how you came to be in your current situation and what a grant will help you accomplish. If you have competed in your sport before, please provide information on your results and participation. Please be thorough when writing your biography.
- A HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO OF YOURSELF: Preferably in your sport or at play in a high resolution digital file such as a .jpg or PDF.
Requirements
The TEAM360 grant program is HIGHLY COMPETITIVE and not every applicant will receive a grant. Please be thorough and demonstrate a competitive need for the item or funds for which you are applying.
TEAM360 considers the following criteria when assessing each grant application:
- Must be an active member of Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center with a physical disability.
- MOTIVATION: Applicant’s desire to improve upon fitness and achieve their goals.
- EFFORT OF GRANT APPLICATION: Only completed applications submitted by the deadline will be considered. Incomplete applications or applications that have been submitted with illegible documents may be declined.
- VOLUNTEER WORK: An applicant’s participation and willingness to give back to the community, coach, teach, mentor, and contribute to the growth and success of others will be considered.
Post-application
You will receive an email verifying your completion of this grant application.If you do not receive a verification email it is likely that we did not receive your application. Your application will then be reviewed by the TEAM360 board.
If approved for a grant, you will be required to do the following:
- Sign a letter of agreement.
- Make arrangements with Ability360 for reimbursement or direct purchase of what grant funds are going towards.
- Follow up with TEAM360 with regard to your results and accomplishments in relation to this grant.
- Represent TEAM360 and its mission in a positive manner with social media posts and wearing TEAM360 apparel and/or equipment.
For any questions, please contact Nick Pryor, NickP@ability360.org or (602) 386-4286.
Grant Categories & Requirements
TEAM360 offers three different grant categories for which you can apply. Each person may submit a request in only one category:
- Competition/travel expenses
- Coaching/training expenses/Gym memberships/Team Fees
- Small equipment expenses less than $500
If you are requesting equipment, no partial payments will be made for equipment. Please research specifications on the internet, talk with coaches, and fellow team members to research what kind of equipment is right for you.
You must have been participating in your sport for at least six (6) months or have a recommendation from a coach to be eligible for an equipment grant.
Please note that equipment grants will match your athletic activities and accomplishments. If you are at a recreational level of play, you will be awarded a recreational-valued equipment grant. The grant amount will not exceed $500. Please consider these figures when making your grant request.
Contact
Nick Pryor
(602) 386-4286
NickP@ability360.org
Grant Application
Grant Cycle is ongoing and can only be applied for once per year.
Youth Athletic Grant
JAAM Youth Athletic Equipment Grant
Established 2015 | The mission of the JAAM Foundation is to provide adaptive sports equipment to junior athletes in the greater Phoenix area.
In 2020, JAAM and Ability360 agreed to join forces and have Ability360 administer the JAAM grant process. It is both JAAM’s and Ability360’s intent to support existing adaptive programs in the Valley by providing program equipment for junior athletes. This enables new athletes to experience the different sports opportunities and see what is best for them. And, when an athlete commits to a specific sport(s), JAAM will assist in securing customized equipment for each athlete.
Research has found that participating in adaptive sports provides many benefits for the athlete, including:
- Social Support System
- Increased Self-Confidence
- Peer-Education System
- Continuing Education
- Developing Leadership Skills
- Quality of Life Improvement
All of these lead to helping the athletes identify necessary resources to gain employment and mentorship.
JAAM Foundation Grant Application
Introduction
Dear JAAM grant applicant,
Please read the information carefully before beginning your application as it outlines the requirements each applicant must meet to be considered for funding from JAAM.
Please complete the application exactly as instructed, including family financials and all necessary documentation. The grant must be completed in its entirety to be considered.
JAAM and Ability360 reserve the right to award a partial grant based on the number of grant applications submitted and budgetary constraints.
NOTE: Cash/Check reimbursement for purchases will not be given. All purchases will be paid for with a voucher or purchased directly by JAAM and Ability360.
What to Include
The following information and actions are REQUIRED to be included in your application:
- Reference letters: Include two letters of reference along with phone numbers.
- One letter must come from a medical professional (ONLY physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or prosthetist) verifying your qualifying physical challenges.
- One letter must come from a fellow athlete, peer, family member, teacher, coach, or employer.
- Your updated biography or story: How you came to be in your current situation and what a grant will help you accomplish. If you have competed in your sport before, please provide information on your results and participation. Please be thorough when writing your biography.
- A high resolution photo of yourself: Preferably in your sport or at play in a high-resolution digital file such as a .jpg or PDF.
Requirements
Can apply for (1) new sports wheelchair or (2) sport-related expenses (e.g., upgraded equipment, travel expenses, and/or coaching/training expenses)
- Athlete may apply every three (3) years for a new sport chair.
- Two (2) sports chairs total can be granted during youth sports participation unless approved by review committee.
- Athletes may apply for sport-related expenses yearly, between applying for a new sport chair.
- National and local grants MUST be applied for in order for the JAAM application to be considered.
- Ages 12-18
Post Application
You will receive an email verifying your completion of this grant application. If you do not receive a verification email it is likely that we did not receive your application. Your application will then be reviewed by the review committee.
If approved for a grant, you will be required to do the following:
- Sign a letter of agreement.
- All chairs obtained through grant funds must be returned to JAAM and Ability360 when a new chair has been acquired. JAAM and Ability360 will work with adaptive sports programs in Arizona to relocate used equipment where it is needed.
- Make arrangements with JAAM and Ability360 for the direct purchase of new equipment.
- Follow up with JAAM and Ability360 in regards to your results and accomplishments, seasonally, in relation to this grant.
NOTE: Should the athlete decide to no longer play or become inactive, we kindly request that the equipment be returned to Ability360.
For any questions, please contact Nick Pryor, NickP@ability360.org or (602) 386-4286.
Application
JAAM Athlete Profiles / Recipients
Mo
Mo started playing wheelchair basketball in 2019. His coaches recognized his talents right away and he was able to get a customized basketball chair through the JAAM grant in 2021. He was thrilled to get his new chair and commented, “I still can’t stop smiling right now! The chair fits me so good and my whole game is going to change next year!” He received a scholarship to play wheelchair basketball at the University of Illinois and will be starting his year this fall. He plans to return to Phoenix following his graduation to continue playing and being involved with Ability360.
Braulio
Braulio just finished his second season with the Ability360 wheelchair Suns basketball team. Since the first time he started playing wheelchair sports, he has loved every second of it. He has participated in multi-sports camps as well as wheelchair basketball camps, which have helped bring him out of his shell and build his confidence. Thanks to the JAAM Foundation and his coaches at Ability360, he received his own sports chair, which would not have been possible without this support. His goal is to be able go to college to further his academics as well as continue to play adaptive sports and maybe, one day, even go to the Paralympics and be part of the USA wheelchair basketball team.
Rumi
Rumi is an accomplished air rifle competitor and a recipient of a JAAM grant for her own equipment. She is one of the top shooters in the country and hopes that her new equipment will help her reach top of the podium at Junior Nationals this summer. She is known as a steady shooter with calm nerves, a huge asset to her sport. Having her own equipment will enable her to practice as often as needed and move closer to her goal of one day being on the podium at the Paralympics.
Evan
Evan is an Ability360 and JAAM alumnus who is the current head coach of para track and field at the University of Alabama in their inaugural season. During his senior year, he won a National Championship for the wheelchair basketball team at Alabama. Sports have always been important to Evan, as a spectator and a participant. He found adaptive sports at a young age and the opportunities afforded him through sport have helped to form the man he is becoming.
Molly
After a cancer diagnosis in 2021, Molly was left unable to play her favorite sport, soccer. She didn’t know how she could ever be active again and missed so much being part of a team. Molly soon found wheelchair basketball and fell in love. Although basketball was new, the feeling of being on a team and her competitive nature soon kicked in. At the end of her first season, Molly was fitted for a JAAM chair through the grant program. She has many more seasons ahead of her and can’t wait to see where her new chair will take her.
Lyndsie
Lyndsie started playing wheelchair basketball in 2019. As she became more competitive, she was able to get a JAAM grant for her chair in 2021. She absolutely loved making the chair “hers.” She has progressed so much and is able to do what she loves in a chair built just for her that fits perfectly. She will move up to join the Ability360 women’s team next season.
Callie
Callie is a new athlete with Ability360, she is 9 years old and loves wheelchair basketball. She and her family found Ability360 in 2024 and she has participated in the the youth adaptive sports camps to try all adaptive sports available at Ability360. Basketball practice is officially underway and she is very excited to be on the team with her new chair provided by the JAAM scholarship. Callie loves Legos and board games, and of course watching TV in her spare time.
Will
Will has been an Ability360 athlete since 2018. He started his basketball journey at an early age; he was very reserved young man but through sports, has turned into one of the senior players and leaders on the Varsity team. He’s become someone the younger players look up to as an example. He graduated high school in 2025 and now has his sights set on college at GCU or ASU in the fall.