Over the last several years I've had the opportunity to meet many people with CF and their families. Throughout lunches, coffees and countless phone calls with people with CF, their parents and their partners -- plus many meetings with the Adult Advisory Council members and Alex Award winners, I never cease to be amazed at how powerful this community is.

I remember one conversation where an adult with CF was setting up a program to support and connect children with CF. I asked her what drove her to do this, and she explained, “I know what it's like to feel isolated and different, and I can help.”

I've heard similar sentiments from others in the community who have developed organizations or programs to support one another. Whether to help give money for folks to sustain recreational exercise routines, aid for college scholarships or provide CF adult-specific information, many individuals and organizations out there are serving people with CF and their families in their daily lives. Our community is not only powerful, it is supportive.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recognizes this, and through our new Community Partnerships department we want to make sure we partner with our community to create and identify programs and projects that help people with CF and their families in their day-to-day lives.

Through our new Impact Grant program we will provide up to $10,000 per year to individuals or organizations who have a program or project that benefits either a wide spectrum of people with CF or their families, or an underserved segment of the community.

All applications will be evaluated by the CF Adult Advisory Council, an external review panel, whose recommendation will then be sent to the Vice President of Community Partnerships, Drucy Borowitz, for final approval and funding.

Applications will be accepted twice this year. The deadlines are Monday, May 30, 2016, and Monday, Oct. 31, 2016. Applicants must provide an application cover page, program or project description, budget and justification, and resume and letter of support. Applications can be requested by e-mailing impact@cff.org.

We value all of the strength and compassion this community commits to one another. Our hope is that we can help some of the great programs out there so that more people with CF and their families have the support they need.