Mental Health PlaybookAdaptive Sports Connection
- Geographic Focus: Ohio and surrounding states.
- Mission:The mission of Adaptive Sports Connection is to shatter barriers through adaptive innovation and collaborative efforts, enabling individuals of all abilities to enjoy the health benefits, freedom and sense of belonging that come with recreation, education and outdoor experiences.
- Operating Budget: $1.7 million
- People Served: Veterans, children, and adults with disabilities, as well as their families, friends, caregivers and communities.
- Focus Areas and Core Competencies: Holistic programs designed to improve the health and well–being of veterans, adults and children with disabilities. These core program areas include adaptive snow sports, kayaking, cycling, mountain biking, soccer and events that foster social connection.
Impact Statement
Adaptive Sports Connection has facilitated 1,635 recreational experiences for adaptive athletes and 4,900 family members and friends, resulting in remarkable outcomes. Participants report a 98% improvement in mental health, a 98% enhancement in physical health, a 93% boost in overall confidence, a 100% increase in social well-being and an 87% advancement in sports skills.
A Conversation with Sharon Bucey, CEO of Adaptive Sports Connection
Q: What is the mission of your organization? What specific areas related to mental health challenges are you working to solve?
Adaptive Sports Connection is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities and veterans through adaptive sports, outdoor adventures and meaningful connections. Founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to the freedom and joy of the outdoors, Adaptive Sports Connection strives to break down the barriers that hinder participation in activities many often take for granted.
By blending adaptive sports with community engagement, our organization empowers individuals to realize their potential, fostering resilience, independence and a profound sense of belonging which helps to improve overall mental health and wellness.
As a leader in the adaptive sports field, Adaptive Sports Connection’s mission transcends simply offering physical activities—it’s about crafting transformative experiences that empower participants to flourish, build self-esteem and create lasting connections. This dedication to holistic well-being encompasses mental and emotional health, which are essential in helping individuals lead fulfilling lives.
Q: How do you describe the big goals your organization is working to achieve? How do you measure impact?
We are committed to achieving several pivotal goals focused on expanding and enriching our programs to more effectively serve individuals with disabilities and their communities through enhancing operational efficiency, establishing sustainable funding sources and elevating brand awareness.
Adaptive Sports Connection is dedicated to broadening and refining key initiatives such as adaptive kayaking, veterans’ adventures, senior wellness activities and children’s mental health programs, all designed to support the physical, emotional and social well-being of participants. By focusing on expanding these specialized programs, we aim to offer more comprehensive support to our community.
Ensuring operational excellence is crucial to providing high-quality experiences and outcomes for our participants. We support that by focusing on optimizing the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of current programming operations through regular audits and by developing robust systems for equipment evaluation, maintenance and inventory management.
Finally, the organization is crafting a comprehensive long-term sustainability plan that incorporates diverse revenue streams, including individual donations. Building a sustainable future will empower us to continue our mission and expand our reach to benefiting even more individuals and communities.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges the organization has experienced in working to accomplish its mission? How did your organization overcome those challenges?
Securing consistent and sustainable funding to support our expanding programs has been one of our primary challenges. This includes financing the construction of the Adaptive Sports Complex and the Adventure and Wellness Lodge, as well as maintaining our growing programmatic needs. To tackle this, we launched a comprehensive $15 million initiative aimed not only at expanding our facilities but also at providing ramp-up funds for rapid growth. We made it a priority to diversify our revenue streams by pursuing grants, individual donations, corporate sponsorships and social enterprise opportunities.
Recruiting, training and retaining skilled staff and volunteers who are both passionate about our mission and equipped to work with individuals with disabilities has been another significant challenge. We’ve addressed this by developing a robust organizational structure that includes clear training and development programs.
Q: What are the organization’s biggest needs? How can philanthropists help your organization achieve its goals?
Securing long-term, sustainable funding is the foremost challenge facing any nonprofit organization, including Adaptive Sports Connection, as we strive to meet the increasing demand for services. Philanthropists play a vital role in this endeavor—not only through financial contributions but also by offering entrepreneurial solutions. They can assist in generating revenue, forging partnerships with major brands and other organizations and providing valuable insights into innovative programs and operational efficiency.
Q: Beyond the organization, where should philanthropists who care about advancing knowledge related to improving mental health invest their charitable dollars?
We believe that innovative, hands-on and immersive programs have a significant impact on mental health. Seek out organizations that prioritize research, utilize educational tools and develop programs designed to activate meaningful support for individuals facing mental health challenges.
Contact Our Team
Contact the Roundtable’s Programs team to learn more about this investment opportunity.