TRUCKEE, Calif. — High Fives Foundation, a Truckee based non-profit, announced its distribution of $500,500 in grants across North America to support athletes recovering from life-changing injuries.

Through its Empowerment Fund 2026 Grant Cycle 1, the non profit awarded 123 total grants. The cycle aims to represent the organization’s continued commitment to helping individuals rebuild, rediscover, and return to the sports and lives they love. The grants supported 61 new athletes and 62 returning athletes as they progress through their recovery journeys.

High Fives Foundation’s Empowerment Fund offers two grant cycles annually, providing critical resources to individuals recovering from life-changing injuries. The program supports goals tied to outdoor adventure sports, bridging the gap between recovery and return to play. The next grant cycle opens July 1, 2026.

“With this grant I will be able to get a fully customized wheelchair for my body,” shared Makayla Noble. “By working with the creator, I will be able to add unique features that make sense for me and my body. I am so excited!”

Grant Cycle 1 of 2026 marked another impactful chapter for High Fives Foundation, with adaptive equipment continuing to represent the largest area of support. A total of 90 grants were awarded in the category, distributing $359,750 to athletes pursuing recovery through movement, sport, and outdoor access.

Top-funded equipment included the Bowhead Reach, Bowhead RX, DynAccess Hydra sit-ski, ReActive Adaptations handcycles and the Outrider USA Coyote 4WD — tools that provide athletes with the ability to reconnect with trails, mountains and outdoor experiences that play a vital role in both physical and mental recovery.

Healing Network services also remained a key component of support, with 30 grants totaling $78,550 awarded for services such as physical therapy, rehabilitation training, personal and strength training, massage therapy and acupuncture. Additional funding included 13 medical equipment grants totaling $44,600, two program grants totaling $5,500 and four living expense grants totaling $12,100.

For Charles Patten, the opportunity represented a return to a lifelong passion.

“This grant will help me obtain my own sit-ski, allowing me to return to the mountain and continue the sport that has always been central to my mental well-being,” Patten said.

Cycling-related grants represented the largest sport category, with 50 grants totaling $237,550, followed by snow sports with 15 grants totaling $47,600, surf with eight grants totaling $14,400 and moto with six grants totaling $9,600. Athletes shared firsthand how this support continues to shape their recovery journeys and future goals.

“This grant will positively impact my recovery by giving me consistent access to adaptive mountain biking, which will help me stay active, build strength and improve my overall health,” said Javier Trujillo-Ortega. “It also supports my mental well-being by keeping me engaged, motivated and connected to the outdoors and the adaptive sports community.”

“This grant will support my recovery by enabling participation in road and gravel cycling, helping rebuild strength, endurance and independence,” shared Jamie Pacenta. “It will also provide consistent, year-round training to improve overall conditioning and support daily function and adaptive sports.”

Beyond sport-specific resources, Grant Cycle 1 also supported everyday independence through home accessibility improvements and vehicle modifications. Funding helped athletes complete bathroom renovations, install threshold ramps and secure adaptive vehicle features such as hand controls and kneel actuators, reinforcing that recovery extends far beyond recreation and into daily life.

The foundation’s impact has reached athletes across 47 U.S. states and territories, as well as Canada.

Grant funding is also helping athletes pursue elite competition goals.

“This grant will support my goal of training for and competing in the 2026 track and field nationals in javelin and shot put, with the ultimate aim of returning to Team USA for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles,” said Tricia Downing.