Established in 1997, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a unique organization that recognizes the athletic greatness inherent in all people with physical challenges and supports their athletic endeavors by providing grants for training, competition and equipment needs

Since 1994, CAF has raised more than $11 million – allowing the Foundation to satisfy thousands of funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries. Eighty-two cents of every dollar raised by CAF provides funding and programs that get challenged athletes into the game. Whether it’s a $2,000 handcycle, helping underwrite a $15,000 running prosthetic or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar injury, CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, competitive lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. At the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece 45 of the 235 participating U.S. athletes (almost 20 percent) were supported by CAF. More recently at the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games in Torino, Itlay, CAF supported 23 of the 56 (41 percent) participating U.S. athletes.

Why Do Challenged Athletes Need Funding? There are 54 million people living with a physical challenge in the United States. Equipment that allows these individuals to engage in active lifestyles is very expensive –in fact, for many, it’s cost-prohibitive. A single handcycle runs upwards of $2,000 and adaptive training and competition expenses can make moving to the “next level” of athletic performance an insurmountable barrier for many challenged athletes. Funding provided by CAF helps make it possible for more physically challenged people to gain access to this equipment and to the enhanced self-esteem that comes from participation in sports. To ensure these needs are met in perpetuity, CAF has worked hard over its first decade to build and grow an endowment fund that will continue to assist physically challenged athletes indefinitely.   How Does CAF Help? The CAF gives grants to physically challenged athletes so they can purchase handcycles, sports chairs, race wheelchairs and help pay for the competition and training it takes to pursue a life of physical fitness and sports. Grants are awarded to persons with any type of physical disability and for a wide range of sports. The CAF does not discriminate by age, disability, sport or level of ability. The thousands of athletes that the CAF has assisted range from world class athletes competing on an international level to those who are recently disabled and desire to become more active.

 

How Planet Ultra Supports The Challenged Athletes Foundation Since 2005, Planet Ultra hosts an annual fundraiser - "Solvang's Finest Century - A Ride To Benefit Challenged Athletes Foundation." A large portion of the proceeds are donated directly to CAF. Riders are encouraged to make additional donations for hats, jerseys and vests, as well as to fundraise on their own through the CAF Race For A Reason program. We also host our annual Christmas Club Century, where riders gain entry to the fun by making a minimum donation to CAF or bringing an unwrapped toy. For all other Planet Ultra cycling events, we donate a minimum $1 per rider to CAF. Beginning in 2007, at most single day rides, Planet Ultra will raffle off great prizes including free ride entries. Every penny from the raffles will be donated to CAF. To make a donation using a secure online website, click here. If you prefer to make a donation by mail or in person at one our events, you may use this pdf form.

 

How Planet Ultra riders, volunteers, staff, and friends can support the Challenged Athletes Foundation Support CAF by simply sending in a donation with your entry or through our fundraising link once it's up for 2007. Collect donations from your friends and send those in too! As an incentive, Planet Ultra will award the highest fundraiser who raises at least $5,000 a free pass to all Planet Ultra single day events for a year! Individually fundraise through the CAF Race For A Reason Program. When you register for the program, be sure and select Planet Ultra as your registration choice. You'll get your own fund-raising webpage which is easily edited or updated at any time. CAF and Kintera.org will track everything for you: How much you've raised, who has supported you, and everything else, plus you can use their site to send out emails and updates to your friends and supporters. It's really easy to use, plus it's very effective and totally secure. IIf you want to pursue "in-person" fund-raising around town, work, family and the like, be sure to request CAF's free, and extensive, "fund-raising kit."