The Air Care Alliance (ACA) is an umbrella group that supports Volunteer Pilot Organizations (VPOs) nationwide. ACA’s website offers a starting point for families and individuals needing free air transportation for medical care or other supportive services. ACA connects people to the resources they need; it does not provide flights directly.

Learn more about ACA flight requirements and start the flight request process.

VPOs are not air ambulances and do not provide any medical support on board.

The ATI Foundation offers grant awards to individuals in need of assistance to live independent and fulfilling lives in their communities. Typical assistance includes funding for adaptive equipment, home modifications, therapies, specialized social and recreational programming, and medical-related costs. The foundation works with individuals to identify support options that make the most sense for their unique situation.

ATI Foundation also provides sponsorship support for like-minded nonprofit organizations. Learn more or apply for ATI Foundation’s  Individual Grant Awards and Sponsorship Support for Nonprofits.

For questions, please contact the ATI Foundation using the online contact form.

Mercy Medical Angels provides transportation assistance for a wide range of medical needs, including specialty consultations and second opinions, surgeries and surgical follow-ups, cardiac care and heart procedures, mental health treatment, diagnostic testing (MRI, CT scans and biopsies), and more. Transportation options for individuals and families with financial need can include a gas card for local appointments, a private pilot flight across state lines, or a commercial ticket for longer distances for one-time appointments and recurring treatments. The Mercy Medical Angels Team reviews applications to find the right solution for each situation.

Mercy Medical Angels travel requirements include:

• The travel is for medically necessary care or clinical trials
• You cannot afford the cost of travel on your own
• You’re able to travel without medical supervision (with or without a caregiver)
• You’re traveling 50-plus miles one way or totaling 100 or miles per month (ground) or 200-plus miles (air)
• Your appointment is scheduled within the next 45 days
• You are based in the United States and traveling to a U.S. facility

For more details, please reach out to Mercy Medical Angels.

SkyHope Patient Airlift Services (PALS) is a nonprofit that arranges free flights with volunteer pilots to help families and individuals needing access to critical medical care, diagnosis, rehabilitation services or follow-up care. It also arranges flights for family members to ensure patients have support during long-term medical or rehabilitation services. The SkyHope network of volunteer pilots provides free regional medical flights and receives no compensation. SkyHope does not provide any ground transportation.

Visit SkyHope’s website to see frequently asked questions and to request a flight.

The American Kidney Fund offers the Safety Net Grant Program to help patients with kidney disease cover health care expenses not covered by insurance. Typical expenses include the cost of transportation to and from dialysis, over-the-counter medicines, co-payments, dentures and other needs.

The American Kidney Fund also supports U.S. kidney patients through other need-based financial assistance programs, including:

• Disaster relief
• Help with paying insurance premiums
• Grants for children

Children’s Flight of Hope (CFOH) provides flights to essential, life-changing and life-saving medical care for children in need. CFOH eases the emotional and financial burden on families by providing commercial airline tickets for children and caregivers for the duration of their child’s treatment.

CFOH provides commercial airline tickets for children traveling in the United States to specialized medical care with board-certified doctors at accredited medical facilities. To learn more or to start the application process, visit Frequently Asked Questions and Resources on CFOH’s website.

For questions, please contact CFOH at connect@cfoh.org or (919) 466-8593.

Life’s Plan mini grants provide self-advocates start-up money to build a micro-industry business. A micro-industry is a business run by an adult or adults with a disability to earn money and be more financially independent. The micro-industry mini grant will provide up to $2,000 in funding.

Individuals may be supported by staff or advocates to run a variety of business such as jewelry making, used book resale, greeting cards, errand running, food cart, shredding, lawn/snow removal services and other ideas. Agencies and service organizations are not eligible for this grant.

Grant applications are available year-round:

• Mini grants application instructions and contacts  in English
• Mini grants application instructions and contacts  in Spanish

 

Chase’s Warrior Foundation (CWF) provides information and adaptive, therapeutic equipment to families of children and young adults with altered physical conditions and/or special needs. CWF funds equipment that will improve the applicant’s potential for recreation, mobility and everyday living success.

CWF provides life-changing adaptive equipment to families with children and young adults under 26 who have a disability or long-term injury that challenges their everyday lives:

• CWF reviews each request on an individual basis
• CWF grants requests depending on the funds available at the time of the request
• Families will receive a letter, email or phone call notifying them of the decision to either grant or deny funding
• Requests may be full payments or partial payments, depending on financial need
• Anyone receiving grant funds must wait two years before applying again.

For any questions, please contact Chase’s Warrior Foundation at info@cwfusa.org.

The Lions of Illinois Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that serves people throughout Illinois with vision and hearing needs. Programs and services include Camp Lions, children’s vision screenings, and help with accessing vision and hearing services and equipment.

See the Lions Club Programs and Services brochure for more details.

Visit the Lions of Illinois Foundation Social Services page to learn more about how Lions Clubs statewide can help provide vision and hearing services or to fill out an application.

For questions, please contact the Lions Club of Illinois Foundation at (815) 756-5633 or (815) 756-5633 V/TTY RELAY.

The Red Kite Project at Chicago Children’s Theatre is a series of unique and innovative programs for youth on the autism spectrum and their families. It also includes initiatives and productions to make theatrical and educational programming accessible to young people with developmental disabilities and other accessibility needs. The Red Kite Project offers classes, camps, access performances and more.

For more details, contact Director of Education and Access Programs Sam Mauceri at sam@chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (312) 374-8829.