Exercise Grants
Important Changes To Our Exercise Grant Application Process
We have a quarterly application process. Please plan your submit your 2025 Exercise Grant application during the appropriate application windows:
- Apply between December 15 – January 31 for activities/equipment to be paid in January-April.
- Apply between April 1-30 for activities/equipment to be paid in May-July .
- Apply between July 1-31 for activities/equipment to be paid in August-October.
- Apply between October 1-31 for activities/equipment to be paid in November-January.
Why exercise grants? Research shows that staying physically active, especially engaging in more vigorous exercise regularly, is important for lung health and life quality in adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, the cost of managing the disease often leaves little for families to pay for fees associated with exercise activities.
BreatheStrong CF Exercise Grants

Exercise Grants
Anyone in the U.S. with CF
Grants may include gym memberships, yoga, swim lessons, sports team registration fees or gear, running or hiking, exercise equipment, horseback riding, dance or other activities that promote physical fitness.

Loretta Morris Memorial Grants
Preference to California residents with CF
The Loretta Morris Memorial Fund was established in 2010. The Fund was set up by her sister, Barbara Morris Harison, with the goal of providing recreation grants to help those living with CF enjoy an active lifestyle. Loretta was born March 31, 1950 and died from CF at the age of 21 years.

Canadian Grants
Anyone in Canada with CF
Whether it is a new activity being tried for the first time or continuing to pursue an established passion, the costs of living with CF and impact on earning ability can often make exercise-related costs a barrier.
Application: What You Need to Know
- Exercise Grant Eligibility
- Loretta Morris Grant Eligibility
- Grant Process
- Prepare to Apply
- Grant Recipient Expectations
- Grant recipients may apply once each calendar year. Only one grant will be awarded per recipient per calendar year.
- Exercise Grant applications are considered for children and adults with CF living in the United States. For those living in Canada, please use the Canadian Grant application.
- Grants can not exceed $750 in one calendar year.
- We can not reimburse recipients for expenses already paid.
- Vendors selected for Canadian applications must accept credit card payments.
Qualifying Activities & Expenses
- Exercise Grants are intended to support the ongoing physical activities of recipients. We encourage recurring exercise or physical activity memberships (gym memberships, sports teams, activity lessons, school sports clubs, etc). We highly recommend utilizing free trials prior to application to ensure the applicant enjoys the activity and feels safe and comfortable in the environment.
- Equipment that provides physical exercise may qualify. This includes trampolines, trikes, bikes, small pools, weights, etc.
- Safety and support equipment directly related to the applicant’s physical activity may qualify such as helmets, required uniforms, footwear, etc.
- Accessories such as water bottles, general apparel and decoration do not qualify.
- Pharmaceuticals, nutrition supplements, vitamins, gels and other over-the-counter items do not qualify.
- Every request is considered individually and uniquely.
- Grant recipients may apply once each calendar year.
- Preference for Loretta Morris Memorial Grants is California residents.
- Grants can not exceed $750 in one calendar year.
- We can not reimburse recipients for expenses already paid.
Qualifying Activities & Expenses
- Loretta Morris Memorial Grant requests support swimming, horseback riding, dance and golf.
- We highly recommend utilizing free trials prior to application to ensure the applicant enjoys the activity and feels safe and comfortable in the environment.
Submit an Application
- Funding for approved grants will be paid directly to the designated activity provider or billing organization. Awards will not be paid directly to the grant recipient. Please be prepared to include a bill or invoice for services and/or additional supporting documentation required to render payment to the provider.
- New applicant requests will not be considered until we have received the applicant’s medical provider form. The form is available HERE. Applicants may upload the clinician-completed form in the application.
- We will only consider complete applications. If required information is missing, a letter of denial will be issued. If an applicant is denied, the individual may reapply for the same or different activity with a new and/or updated grant request.
Application Review and Approval
- Your grant decision will come to the email address provided in the application.
- Please allow 4-5 weeks for your decision email.
Grant Fulfillment
- Following grant approval, a BreatheStrong CF grant coordinator will email you regarding details to process payment.
- If we haven’t received the required information to fulfill the grant within 60 days of approval, your grant will be denied and you may apply again.
Our online application has several sections. You can prepare by having all the necessary information ready.
*Directions for language translation are on the first page of the application.
Provide personal information.
- If you are applying on behalf of your child with CF, please list your child’s name as the applicant.
- Applicants under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian’s permission for HIPPA consent to communicate with CF care providers if needed.
Commit to an activity or purchase.
- Take a trial class or session if available
- Make sure it fits your schedule
- Gather all costs including equipment, uniforms, etc
- If requesting home equipment ensure sufficient space and electrical supply
Make your request clear.
Have the following information ready:
- Facility name and web link, if available
- Contact name, phone and email address
- Activity description, cost and duration
- Invoice, if applicable
- Web address of any online purchases that are applicable
Share your story.
Answer questions regarding the applicant’s current health status, goals related to the activity of choice, why this activity, and how a previous grant helped, if applicable.
Loretta Morris Memorial Grant applicants have the option to include a letter of reference.
Verify your CF status with a medical provider form.
- First time applicants are required to submit our medical provider verification form to their care team, and then upload the completed form to the application. Access the form HERE.
- Returning applicants do not need to upload the form unless they have a new care team since their last application.
Agree to the grant’s terms.
Read through and initial each statement in this section to verify that you understand the responsibilities if you are awarded an application. See the tab Grant Recipient Expectations for details.
Submit your application.
When you’ve completed each step, click submit to finish the application process. Applications can be saved and returned to for completion at a later date (just remember your login and password!).
The following are expected following the fulfillment of a grant:
- Register and participate in BreatheStrong+ virtual program (required for applicants ages 10+).
- Provide feedback as requested.
- Provide a note of appreciation to BreatheStrong CF or the Loretta Morris Memorial Fund upon notification of grant approval. Please send to P.O. Box 2984, Tucker, GA, 30085 or email grants@breathestrongcf.org.
- Provide a photo and/or video of the recipient participating in the activity they specified within the application. Photos and quotes are necessary for us to share information with prospective donors and sponsors whose funds make the program possible. Photos may also be emailed to grants@breathestrongcf.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
May I apply for more than one activity?
What are some examples of previously funded grant activities?
- Swimming lessons
- Trampolines
- Horseback riding lessons/leasing
- Rock climbing lessons
- Surfing lessons
- Yoga classes
- Dance/gymnastics classes
- Martial arts classes
- Water aerobics classes
- Fitness classes
- Gym membership
- Home exercise equipment
- Ski/snowboard pass
- Sports camp
- Triathlon training camp
- Sports team/league fees