Challenged Athletes, Inc.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in San Diego, California, established in 1997. Its core mission is to provide opportunities and support to individuals with physical disabilities, enabling them to pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF operates on the belief that participation in sports at any level fosters increased self-esteem, encourages independence, and enhances overall quality of life.

CAF's services primarily involve providing grants for adaptive sports equipment, prosthetics, training, coaching, and competition expenses, which are often not covered by insurance. The foundation offers various programs, including an Annual Grant Program, a Lower Limb Sports Prostheses Grant Program, and specialized support for U.S. military, veterans, and first responders through Operation Rebound. Additionally, CAF organizes sports clinics and community events to introduce adaptive sports and build a supportive network for athletes. The organization has supported tens of thousands of athletes across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and numerous international countries.

In recent news, CAF successfully raised over $3.5 million through its Million Dollar Challenge and San Diego Triathlon Challenge fundraising events in October 2025. Demonstrating its ongoing impact, the foundation distributed $7 million in adaptive sports grants to 4,033 athletes in 2026. Co-founded by Bob Babbitt, Jeffrey Essakow, and Rick Kozlowski, with Virginia Tinley serving as Executive Director, CAF maintains its position as a leading global adaptive sports funder. The organization holds a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator, reflecting its commitment to transparency and effectiveness.