BETHESDA, Md. -- The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation today announced the recipients of its fifth annual Impact Grants, which provide up to $10,000 per year of funding to individuals and organizations within the cystic fibrosis (CF) community who are leading unique projects to support people living with the disease, their families, and loved ones.
This year's grantees will support the CF community through various programs that focus on virtually engaging and connecting people with CF, including online dance classes, job training workshops, and a storytelling podcast. Another program is focused on supporting and fostering connection across the Black CF community. According to the CF Foundation Patient Registry, approximately five percent of people with CF identify as Black, and are more likely to have rare mutations that cannot be treated with current modulators, making additional support for the Black CF community an important step to improve outcomes and quality of life.
Staying six feet apart from other people with CF is normal for most living with the disease who face greater risk of getting and spreading germs to one another. With heightened infection risk due to COVID-19, building and maintaining online communities is more important now than ever.
“Living with CF is physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging. No one understands this more than those living with the disease and their loved ones,” said Sue Sullivan, Head of Community Partnerships at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “We continue to be inspired by the spirited individuals who have transformed their experiences into programs that continue to positively influence the lives of others living with CF. The Foundation is proud to support their efforts through our annual Impact Grants.”
Launched in 2016, the Impact Grants program reflects the Foundation's commitment to help people with CF live long and fulfilling lives. In previous years, Impact Grants have supported a wide range of ideas that benefit people with cystic fibrosis, from voice lessons to strengthen breathing and build confidence, to online health coaching and personal training.
Recipients are selected in consultation with the CF Adult Advisory Council, an external panel entirely composed of adults living with CF. In addition to the four new grants in 2020, three 2019 Impact Grants have been renewed for one year.
2020 Impact Grants Recipients
But, You Look Healthy: A storytelling podcast that highlights the unique moments of life with CF through interviews with many people who have different perspectives of the disease to better amplify their voices, connect the community, and raise awareness
Dancing Together With CF: A free, livestreamed dance class for the CF community that replicates a traditional dance studio experience by providing video group dance classes featuring movement designed specifically for people living with CF and the opportunity for participants to connect before and after class
Raising Cystic Fibrosis Engagement in the African American Community: A program expansion from the National Organization of African Americans With Cystic Fibrosis (NOAACF) that aims to connect and engage people with CF and their families in the African American community through online workshops, an expanding network of virtual support, and more
Work Proudly: A program piloted by the Claire's Place Foundation, Work Proudly provides adults with CF and their caregivers job training and equipment to gain the skills necessary to be competitive in the job market and acquire flexible, work-from-home employment
2019 Impact Grant Renewal Recipients
Fall Risk: The CF Musical Comedy: A CF-based musical comedy bringing people living with CF together virtually in musical theatre through singing, writing music, orchestration, and costume or set design
Health Advocacy Summit: A day-long virtual conference that provides young adults with chronic and rare diseases with the support, knowledge, and skills to become strong advocates for themselves and their communities through discussion-based sessions and speakers
sINgSPIRE Virtual Choir: A virtual choir expanded from the Breathe Bravely sINgSPIRE program where people living with CF receive music and voice assignments, connect through online group video rehearsals, and record their individual parts together to create a unified choral piece
Applications for 2021 Impact Grants will open in January 2021. Find more information about the Impact Grants Program here.
About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The CF Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of CF Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the CF Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, please go to www.cff.org.
Media Contact
Hannah Avery
Email: havery@cff.org
Phone: 240-200-3758