THE LEE MONTGOMERY ATHLETE ASSISTANCE FUND

Applications for this Assistance Fund can be made from April 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023

The Lee Montgomery Athlete Assistance Fund (LMAAF), established in 2022 by the generosity of The Meijer Foundation, seeks to support and empower athletes with physical disabilities who are training competitively in adaptive sports and looking to take their game to the next level.

What is the goal of the Lee Montgomery Athlete Assistance Fund?

Awards from this fund will assist athletes pursuing opportunities for next-level athletic competition. The LMAAF provides WAS athletes with financial support to learn, grow and practice their favorite sport or participate in a sport that they otherwise might not be able to experience. This Fund will enable new athletes to explore the world of wheelchair and adaptive sports or support seasoned athletes in reaching next-level sports opportunities. The goal of the LMAAF is to give all individuals an opportunity to become the best athletes they can be, both on and off the field of play.

What can the Lee Montgomery Athlete Assistance Fund be used for?

Requests for assistance can be up to $1,000.00.

Eligible expenditures include (See Important Note below in regard to payment to outside sources):
• Pay-to-play fee for athletes who want to join a WAS team
• Housing assistance, including meals, activities, and supervision for campers to participate in Mary Free Bed Jr. Wheelchair Sports Camp
• Specialty sports and/or training camp fees outside of MFB WAS offerings 
• Sport specific fees for athletes playing wheelchair sports at the collegiate level
• Fees and costs related to trying out for a Paralympic or Junior National sports team.

Who is eligible for the Lee Montgomery Athlete Assistance Fund?

To be eligible to apply for assistance to participate on a WAS sports team, you must have:

• Actively participated in at least one WAS team (even if you have never played before)
• Currently in good standing with the WAS program and/or teams
• Living in the United States (open to all states)

To be eligible to apply for assistance to participate in Jr. Wheelchair Sports Camp, you must have:

• Diagnosis of a physical disability due to orthopedic or neurological medical condition and use, or require, a wheelchair to be successful in sports and recreational activities
• Living in the United States (open to all states) and living more than 45 miles one way from Jr. Wheelchair Sports Camp location

To be eligible to apply for assistance to participate in an elite/specialty sports camp, you must have:

• Actively participated in at least one WAS team for at least one year
• Currently in good standing with the WAS program and/or teams
• Living in the United States (open to all states)

To be eligible to apply for assistance to try out for a Paralympic team, you must have:

• Actively participated on a WAS team for at least two years
• Currently in good standing with the WAS program and/or teams • Living in the United States (open to all states)

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Funds cannot be paid directly to the individual requesting assistance.  They will be paid to the approved camp or program.  In the case of membership fees, a participant may only be reimbursed once a receipt of payment is received.  

If you have questions about the LMAAF or your application, you may reach out to Maria Besta at maria.besta@maryfreebed.com or (616) 840-8537