EVERY GIFT IS A SPOKE IN THE WHEEL
Watch Rachel’s Story of Freedom Through Mobility.
Meet Rachel. At 25 she faced her third recurrence of bone cancer.
Everything changed when she found Adaptive Adventures.
“As an 8 time back surgery patient with and 18 disc fusion who was told you’re lucky to even be walking, Adaptive Adventure gave me the opportunity to ride a recumbent bicycle. I can say that riding a bike has been impactful in saving my life and giving me back my independence. Thank you Adaptive Adventures!” – Jean
“Part of the problem people with spinal cord injuries face is just that loneliness and isolation.” – Errick
That isn’t just Errick’s experience. It’s the reality for far too many. Isolation is crushing.
About Adaptive Adventures
Adaptive Adventures is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides and establishes sustainable outdoor sports programs for individuals with physical disabilities and their families in the most underserved communities across the country, providing freedom through mobility and normalizing adaptation in sports. As the only fully mobile adaptive sports program in the country we bring the programs to the people removing all barriers including location, equipment needs and economic status.
Transforming Lives
We promote greater health outcomes and independence for individuals with physical disabilities by providing outdoor adventure education, programming and adaptive equipment.
Fostering Community
We establish sustainable programs across the nation by bringing together participants, caregivers, and allies through collaboration and thoughtful mentorship.
Normalizing Adaptation
We champion the journey to a more accepting world through innovative equipment design, inclusion trainings, and organizational consulting.
Every gift matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $45,000 while match funds last.
Your gift, doubled, puts free adventure in motion.
Movement is medicine. And this year, it’s contagious.
Your gift helps people with physical disabilities find adventure, confidence, and a community that holds them. Free, always.
Every gift matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $45,000, while match funds last.
100% free programs · 45 states, PR, D.C. & Guam · Tax-deductible (EIN 84-1512653)
Free adaptive adventure. Everywhere people live.
Adaptive Adventures is a national 501(c)(3) founded in 1999 that provides free adaptive outdoor recreation, including cycling, paddling, climbing, skiing, and more, for people with physical disabilities, veterans, and their families in 45 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and Guam.
No cost. No pressure to be “ready.” Just a community that says: you belong here, and we saved you a spot.
Every gift is a spoke.
Every spoke makes the wheel stronger.
Every wheel gets someone moving.
Every adventure creates connection.
Your gift isn’t a drop in a bucket. It’s a spoke in something bigger: a whole community turning together. Seven spokes show what that looks like for the people we serve: connection, confidence, independence, community, adventure, belonging, and possibility.
The wheel is already turning.
Here’s what year-round giving makes possible at Adaptive Adventures.
And it changes lives.
Source: Adaptive Adventures participant outcomes, measured with our Thriving Score tool, developed with the University of Illinois Chicago. Program results from 2024 and 2025 participant surveys.
Your gift is in good hands.
In 2025, Adaptive Adventures directed 77.1% of total expenses to core program services, finished the year with positive operating results, and strengthened its financial position, all while growing the support that keeps programs free.
Hear it from the people who live it.
Real stories. Real wheels (and paddles, and ropes, and skis). Press play and see what your gift sets in motion.
[Participant first name] · [Sport]
[One or two sentences in their own words or a short summary of their story. Use person-first language.]
[Participant first name] · [Sport]
[One or two sentences in their own words or a short summary of their story. Use person-first language.]
[Participant first name] · [Sport]
[One or two sentences in their own words or a short summary of their story. Use person-first language.]
Not just another adaptive sports program.
What sets Adaptive Adventures apart? We are the only fully mobile adaptive recreation program in the U.S. We bring free programs to people where they live, led by staff with lived experience, and we welcome caregivers and families into the community.
We come to you
The only fully mobile adaptive recreation program in the U.S. We take programs to unserved and underserved communities, with 650+ programs a year across 45 states, PR, D.C. & Guam.
Always free
No fees, no memberships, no financial barrier to getting outside. That’s a promise we make to every participant.
Led by lived experience
Our team brings 250+ combined years in adaptive recreation, including former Paralympians, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, and Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainers. Our board, staff, volunteers, and committees include people with disabilities.
A whole-community approach
Caregivers and families are part of the adventure. We partner with 180+ organizations a year, from hospitals and climbing gyms to bike shops, outfitters, and universities.
Impact we measure
Our Thriving Score, developed with the University of Illinois Chicago, tracks real outcomes: skills, confidence, mental health, and independence.
Built for veterans, too
55% of the people we serve are veterans. Military operations programming and referral partners like VA Medical Centers help veterans find purpose and peer community.
| Adaptive Adventures | Many local programs | |
|---|---|---|
| Where programs happen | We come to you: 45 states, Puerto Rico, D.C. & Guam | Often one location or region |
| Cost to participants | Always free | Fees or memberships are common |
| Who leads | Staff with lived experience, plus Paralympians, CTRS & CIFT professionals | Varies |
| Families & caregivers | Included in the community | Varies |
| Measured outcomes | Thriving Score with the University of Illinois Chicago | Varies |
| Sports offered | Cycling, paddling, climbing, skiing & more | Often focused on one or two sports |
Choose your spoke.
Every gift is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $45,000, while match funds last.
Want your spoke to keep turning all year? Become a Momentum Maker with a monthly gift.
Put your gift in motion.
Every gift matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $45,000, while match funds last. Campaign runs November 1 – December 31, 2026.
Giving through a donor-advised fund? The simplest path is to recommend your grant directly from your DAF provider’s platform to Adaptive Adventures (EIN 84-1512653). Adaptive Adventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Questions, answered.
What is Adaptive Adventures?
Adaptive Adventures is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1999, that provides free adaptive outdoor recreation for people with physical disabilities, veterans, and their families. Programs run in 45 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and Guam.
What is “A Wheel Good Feeling”?
“A Wheel Good Feeling” is Adaptive Adventures’ year-end giving campaign, running November 1 through December 31, 2026. Gifts fund free adaptive programs, and every gift is matched dollar-for-dollar up to $45,000 while match funds last.
How does the $45,000 match work?
A group of generous donors has pooled $45,000 to match year-end gifts dollar-for-dollar. The match is shared across every way to give, so your gift counts whether you give here, by mail, or on Colorado Gives Day. Once the match pool is reached, gifts are no longer doubled.
What does my gift make possible?
A $500 gift can sponsor a full season. $250 can fund a full day of coached programming. $100 can fund a first adaptive paddling session. With the match, each of those gifts is doubled.
Are Adaptive Adventures programs really free?
Yes. Programs are always free for participants. That is only possible because of donors like you.
Who can take part in Adaptive Adventures programs?
Anyone with a physical disability is invited, regardless of race, background, or sport experience. Veterans, caregivers, and families are part of the community too. Programs include cycling, paddling, climbing, skiing, dragon boating, and more.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Adaptive Adventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 84-1512653), and gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please check with your tax advisor about your situation.
Can I give monthly, through a donor-advised fund, or through my employer?
Yes to all three. Monthly giving makes you a Momentum Maker. If you give through a donor-advised fund, the simplest path is to recommend the grant directly from your DAF provider’s platform. Many employers also match gifts, so check with your HR team.
Be the spoke that keeps it rolling.
Movement is medicine. Community is the dose. Your gift, doubled, gets someone rolling toward connection.
Adaptive Adventures · Freedom through Mobility · A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 84-1512653
Campaign page last updated September 30, 2026
