THThe Hanger Charitable Foundation
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About The Hanger Charitable Foundation
The Hanger Foundation helps people with limb loss and other physical challenges access more mobility, opportunity, and full participation in life. Since 2009, it has awarded over $5 million in grants to 214 nonprofit organizations, while also supporting O&P students, global equipment and clinic assistance, and adaptive experiences. Your donation helps fund practical support for people and communities often navigating physical challenges in deeply personal ways.
The Hanger Foundation supports the disability community at several points along the path to greater mobility, from grassroots nonprofits and veteran services to O&P scholarships and international equipment support. Its focus stays specific: expanding access, adaptive opportunities, and independence for people with limb loss and other physical challenges.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Empowerment Grants
Annual grants to eligible U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations that directly and positively impact people with physical challenges, including through rehabilitation, support services, athletic programs, social activities, and events.
Veteran Grants
Grants supporting nonprofit organizations that serve veterans with physical challenges.
Orthotics and Prosthetics Scholarships
Scholarships for students entering or enrolled in graduate orthotics and prosthetics programs, including the $5,000 John Daniel Shay Memorial Scholarship.
Global Giving
International support that includes donated equipment, clinic support, and encouragement for healthcare professionals to volunteer internationally.
Move to Inspire
An annual peer-to-peer fundraising event supporting grassroots nonprofits serving people with mobility challenges and raising awareness for outreach and education initiatives.
Night to Inspire
An annual gala featuring dinner, an auction, and a concert to support the Foundation's mission and honor the limb loss and limb difference community.
About this work
Mission
The Hanger Foundation empowers people with physical challenges to live life as fully as possible.
Who they serve
People with physical challenges, including amputees, children born with limb loss or limb difference, stroke survivors, veterans, cancer survivors, and people living with multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, incomplete spinal cord injury, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. The Foundation also supports O&P students and nonprofit organizations serving these populations.
Their impact
- Since 2009, the Hanger Foundation has awarded over $5 million in grants to 214 nonprofit organizations.
- The Foundation has awarded 30 diversity scholarships to O&P students.
- The Foundation reports impacting 40,000 lives annually.
- A 2025 Move to Inspire campaign raised $78,849 through 609 donations and 636 registered participants.
- The inaugural Inspire Classic raised more than $158,000 with 92 golfers.
- Foundation volunteers supporting Ukraine relief treated 50 patients and secured more than $80,000 in prosthetic components.
- The Foundation's support enabled more than 500 families to attend Camp No Limits over several years.
How your donation helps
- Grants to nonprofit organizations providing rehabilitation, support services, adaptive sports, social activities, and events for people with physical challenges.
- Scholarships for students pursuing graduate education in orthotics and prosthetics.
- Donated equipment and clinic support for international efforts.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising and community events supporting grassroots mobility nonprofits.
- Concert tickets and event access for members of the limb loss and limb difference community.
Need help?
How someone in need can access The Hanger Charitable Foundation’s services.
The Foundation primarily supports people with physical challenges through grants to nonprofit organizations rather than direct individual services. Eligible U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations can apply through the Foundation's grant application process, and O&P graduate students can apply for available scholarships when applications are open.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
“Camp No Limits has impacted my life by showing me I’m not the only one with my struggles.” — Anna Cosgrove
“The Hanger Foundation grant has allowed over 500 families to attend camp over the last several years.” — Mary Leighton
“Mobility isn’t abstract. It’s deeply personal. It’s independence, confidence, dignity, and choice.” — April Lockhart
“The Move to Inspire Challenge reminds us that every step, every mile, and every moment of movement can create real change.” — Rachel Kubicki
In the news
Recent independent coverage of this organization.
- Fall 2022 Grant Recipientsnews.hanger.com
- Spring 2022 Grant Recipientsnews.hanger.com
- 2024 Grant Recipientsnews.hanger.com
- 2025 GRANT RECIPIENTSnews.hanger.com
- Spring 2023 Grant Recipientsnews.hanger.com
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles The Hanger Charitable Foundation has shared.
Current needs
- Donations to expand grants, scholarships, global giving, and outreach programs.
- Sponsors and annual partners for Foundation programs and events.
- Donations to the John Daniel Shay Memorial Scholarship.
- Donations and participants for Move to Inspire.
Volunteer opportunities
- Volunteer internationally through global giving efforts.
- Serve on Foundation boards, giving committees, and the Global Missions Committee.
- Participate in or fundraise through Move to Inspire.
- Support Night to Inspire through event sponsorship or participation.
- Join the Emerging Leaders Board as an ambassador, event planner, outreach representative, sponsor and partnership cultivator, or contributor of creative ideas.
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- 4-star Charity Navigator rating, year not stated
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Who can apply for an Empowerment Grant?
Eligible U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations that directly and positively impact people with physical challenges in need can apply. Current focus areas include rehabilitation and support services, athletic programs, social activities, and events, with special emphasis on people with limb loss or limb difference and veterans.
What does the John Daniel Shay Memorial Scholarship support?
The $5,000 scholarship supports students pursuing master’s degrees in orthotics and prosthetics. Applicants must demonstrate academic and personal growth, leadership qualities, a minimum 3.0 GPA, U.S. residency, and enrollment in the second year of an accredited O&P master’s program.
How does the Foundation's global giving program work?
Global giving includes donated equipment, clinic support, and encouragement for healthcare professionals to volunteer internationally. The Foundation has also supported relief work in Ukraine.
What kinds of programs do Foundation grants support?
Grants support rehabilitation and related illness or trauma services, adaptive athletics, social activities, and events for people with physical challenges. This includes support for stroke survivors, people with sports or combat-related injuries, people with limb loss or limb difference, and veterans.
How can a young professional participate in the Emerging Leaders Board?
Young professionals interested in serving the limb loss and limb difference community can apply to join the Emerging Leaders Board. Members serve as ambassadors, help with event planning and outreach, cultivate sponsors and community partnerships, and contribute ideas for awareness, impact, and fundraising.
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