Challenged Athletes
Also known as Challenged Athletes Foundation
Challenged Athletes reported $12.8 million in revenue and $13.8 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. Of every $100 it spent, $81.33 went to program services, $3.86 to management and general costs and $14.81 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 113.2% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $228,526 (CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER). 11 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue fell 0% between FY2020 and FY2026. Source: Form 990, FY2026.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $14MFor context, the median across 3,614 covered human services charities: $88.27 programs, $11.52 management, $0.21 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $13M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$93.44 $14M
- Government grants$2.97 $448K
- Program service revenue$2.75 $414K
- Investment income$0.84 $127K
Other revenue was negative: −$2.2M. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2026 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 81.3% | 87.2% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 3.9% | 11.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 14.8% | 0.2% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.14 | $0.02 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 113.2% | 20.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 3.5% | 2.4% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 3.2% | 70.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $228,526 | $274,992 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.66% | 1.18% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 11 | 6 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 28.3 | 6.9 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 16 of 17 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2026 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseAccess for athletes through caf's grant distribution cycle each year, we are able to provide adaptive sports equipment, prosthetics, training, coaching, mentoring and competition grants to physically disabled people aged 3 - 90 years old to enable them enhance their lives through sports. Research shows that participation in sports of any type leads to an increase in independence, self-esteem and sense of worth and accomplishment. Since 1994, caf has provided direct financial assistance to more than 60,000 athletes around the world
San diego triathlon challenge (sdtc) & tour de cove a celebration of life and sport that encompasses not only the community of san diego, but all constituents of the caf family. This four day event engaged over 200 Challenged Athletes and 1000 fundraisers at our community challenge weekend. Highlights included: (1) kids fun roll & run, san diego triathlon challenge, 5k and tour de cove stationary cycling events (2) celebration of abilities program showcasing all the amazing events and participants (3) virtual group rides, runs & walks, (4) grant presentations (5) online social media engagement
Caf-idaho offers clinics, programs, grants, and community events to individuals with physical disabilities, while also supporting families, encouraging volunteers, and appreciating our supporters. These opportunities not only provide access to sports but also foster a sense of community, allowing individuals to meet others. A variety of sports clinic opportunities are hosted throughout the year in the idaho region to give individuals with a permanent physical disability the opportunity to learn a new sport or improve their skills
Highest reported compensation
FY2026 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $210,534 | $0 | $17,992 | $228,526 |
| CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $186,929 | $0 | $7,126 | $194,055 |
| CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $154,301 | $0 | $27,307 | $181,608 |
| CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $142,201 | $0 | $19,555 | $161,756 |
| SR DIRECTORY NE REGION Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $156,313 | $0 | $781 | $157,094 |
| CHIEF OF MARKETING Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $143,383 | $0 | $4,948 | $148,331 |
| CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $134,176 | $0 | $5,308 | $139,484 |
| VICE PRESIDENT & FOUNDER Director/trustee, officer, 1.00 hrs/week | $62,443 | $0 | $22,373 | $84,816 |
11 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Challenged Athletes (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $444K (Part IX, line 5).
7 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2026 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b17 · 16 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2Yes
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 541
- Volunteers Part I, line 61,200
Largest outside contractors
FY2026 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses onlyIndividuals listed as contractors are left out. 2 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
37 private foundations reported grants to Challenged Athletes totaling $1.8M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Challenged Athletes's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Challenged Athletes, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Challenged Athletes spent in FY2026, $81.33 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Plummer Youth PromiseSalem, MA · revenue $13M · programs 84.6% · FY2025
- Centro Las AmericasWorcester, MA · revenue $13M · programs 83.6% · FY2025
- Alice Peck Day Lifecare CenterLebanon, NH · revenue $13M · programs 79.5% · FY2025
- The ARC of Alachua CountyGainesville, FL · revenue $13M · programs 88.3% · FY2025
- White Pony ExpressConcord, CA · revenue $13M · programs 95.2% · 2024
All human services charities · Largest charities in California
Questions people ask
How much of Challenged Athletes's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, Challenged Athletes reported that 81.3% of its $13.8 million in expenses went to program services, 3.9% to management and general and 14.8% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Challenged Athletes pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Challenged Athletes reported for one person in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 was $228,526, for the role of CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Challenged Athletes get its money?
Of $12.8 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, 113.2% came from contributions and grants (including 3.5% from government grants) and 3.2% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Challenged Athletes a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 33-0739596 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2026: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, object 202602389349300840 · read the filing
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, object 202532249349301123 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, object 202403419349300515 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, object 202400299349301330 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, object 202223489349300032 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, object 202132179349301338 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, object 202120419349301517 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 33-0739596: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.