General Information:

The Keep the Wheels Rolling Repair Fund (KWRF) will provide small grants of up to $450 per month for the purchase of parts and/or repairs needed to refurbish a wheelchair or scooter so it may be repaired for or reassigned to a low-income Californian with a disability for free. Only nonprofit organizations may apply.

Who May Apply

To apply, an organization must:

• Be an established nonprofit
• Currently accept donations of used wheelchairs and scooters
• Currently provide cleaned and/or sanitized and repaired/or refurbished wheelchairs and scooters to low-income Californians with disabilities at no cost
• Primarily serve people in California
• Not discriminate on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, disability, race or any other illegal basis
• Have an active membership with Ability Tools. If you are not yet a member of the Ability Tools, email our team to sign up for free!

Eligible Activities and Uses

Funding from the KWRF may be used to purchase parts and supplies needed to repair or refurbish a wheelchair or scooter that was donated to your program and will be provided to a low-income Californian with a disability at no cost or to repair the wheelchair or scooter of a low-income Californian with a disability at no cost.

Uses for the KWRF include, but are not limited to:

• Wheelchair batteries
• Non-custom parts (custom seating and other parts specific to the individual will not be included)
• Missing or broken accessories essential to the device’s use
• Funds may also be used to pay for the labor costs of specialized repairs that cannot be completed by program staff

The total repair cost may not exceed 50% of the device’s estimated value.

How to Apply

Programs may submit multiple applications within the same calendar month, provided the combined total of all requests does not exceed $450.00 for that calendar month. Applications will be processed as they are received until all funds are expended. Each device repair request must be submitted in the Application for Funding online.

Our goal is to support as many reuse and refurbishment programs as possible. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received funding.

IMPORTANT: Approved applicants must submit a photo of the supported Californian with the repaired wheelchair/scooter and a detailed description of the device. In addition, when the item is given away, the recipient MUST answer customer satisfaction questions. The organization is responsible for matching the device to a recipient, completing repairs and submitting all required documentation to Ability Tools before invoices will be approved and reimbursements made to the applicant. Those with NATADS credentials must post the activity in NATADS before submitting an invoice for KWRF repair reimbursement.

Data Collection

Nonprofits awarding a donated wheelchair or scooter repaired through the Keep the Wheels Rolling Repair Fund (KWRF) should notify consumers that limited demographic and service related information may be collected for program reporting purposes. This information may include general details regarding the individual’s disability related needs, the reason the repaired device was needed, and the outcomes or benefits experienced after receiving the equipment. A CFILC Waiver and Release Form will be provided upon approval of applications. Those with NATADS credentials must post the activity in NATADS before submitting an invoice for KWRF repair reimbursement.

Application questions must be directed to Abilitytools@cfilc.org or Michelle@cfilc.org.

Timeline

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the fund is exhausted. Programs may submit multiple applications within the same calendar month, provided the combined total of all requests does not exceed $450.00 for that calendar month. Applications will be reviewed by staff for completeness. Complete applications will then be reviewed for content. Applicants will receive an answer to their request within four weeks of the date their application was received.

Upon approval, applicant may proceed with the purchase of parts and/or repairs. Once repairs are completed, applicants must submit:

• Photographs
• Waiver and Release Forms
• Demographic and service related information
• Invoices and receipts

for reimbursement within 30 days from when the applications were approved.

Note: Within the 30 day period and after the wheelchair or scooter has been repaired, those with NATADS credentials must post the activity in NATADS before submitting an invoice for KWRF repair reimbursement.

Applicants will be reimbursed only for the actual amount spent up to the funded request. We are unable to reimburse costs that exceed the original request. Invoices are usually processed and paid within six weeks of the date they are received and verified. Verification includes:

• All receipts are received for approved repairs not exceeding the approved amount
• Organization submitted the activity in NATADS, if the applicant has NATADS credentials, if not, applicant must provide all information to Ability Tools
• Applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to get quotes/bids for repairs before requesting funding. Once applications are submitted, the amount requested cannot be increased