REEVE FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO FUND “THE ACCESS SERIES”
MARBLEHEAD, MA – JULY 1, 2026 – The Thomas E. Smith Foundation is proud to announce that it has been awarded $23,475 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 1st Cycle 2026 Direct Effect.
Thirty-eight grants totaling $787,152 were awarded. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that support individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 4,100 grants totaling $52 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0006-05).
The Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center has several grants under the Quality of Life program, awarding grants in different categories, varying in different amounts. The Priority Impact grants program funds organizations to support a wide range of projects and activities that will impact individuals living with paralysis and their families. “These grants represent more than funding—they represent freedom, possibility, and dignity for individuals living with paralysis,” said Dan McNeal, Director of the Quality of Life Grants Program at the Reeve Foundation. “At the heart of our mission is a commitment to improving everyday life for our community. We’re proud to support organizations nationwide that are expanding access and creating programs built on accessibility, care, and respect.”
The Thomas E. Smith Foundation will use the grant to deliver “The Access Series”, a 6-session virtual workshop program providing practical, actionable education on the financial and systemic challenges of living with paralysis.
“We are honored to receive this support from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation,” said Sarah Merrefield, MPH, Executive Director and COO of The Thomas E. Smith Foundation. “Too often, people living with paralysis leave rehabilitation without a clear roadmap for navigating insurance, securing funding for essential equipment and services, or accessing the benefits and community resources available to them. The Access Series we’ll provide practical, expert-led education and resources to help people living with the impacts of paralysis navigate these complex systems, identify funding opportunities, and access the resources they need to live more independently. We’re grateful to the & Christopher Reeve Foundation for helping make this possible.”
About the Reeve Foundation:
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, we are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discoveries across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services assisting over 139,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.
About the Thomas E. Smith Foundation:
The Thomas E. Smith Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to better the lives of those affected by and living with spinal cord injury (SCI) and paralysis through financial and emotional support, as well as supporting preventive innovations that decrease the risk of spinal cord injuries. For more information, please visit our website at www.thomasesmithfoundation.org or call 617-996-0623
Contact:
TESF: Jenna Labbee – jenna@thomasesmithfoundation.org – 617-996-0623
Reeve Foundation: media@reeve.org