NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 21, 2026) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced the second round of support for its nationwide adaptive sports grant program. The program awards eight $25,000 grants to school districts and nonprofit partners, expanding access to sports for students with disabilities. The $200,000 in total funding, provided through the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, will directly benefit 1,439 students and 75 public schools across the United States.
While more than seven million students in the U.S. receive special education services for disabilities in public schools, their participation in athletics remains disproportionately low due to limited resources for adaptive sports programs. Bridgestone’s funding aims to address this gap by supporting both the expansion of existing programs and the creation of new opportunities for students in grades K–12.
"Every student deserves the chance to experience the benefits of sports by building confidence, connections and lifelong skills that come from being part of a team,” said Wade Munday, Director, Corporate Philanthropy and Social Impact, Bridgestone Americas. “Through these grants, we’re helping schools create more opportunities for students of all abilities to play, compete and reach their full potential both on and off the field."
This second round of grants builds on Bridgestone's initial investment in adaptive sports in 2025, bringing the total two-year investment to $400,000. Among the grant recipients, five high-performing programs will be granted renewed support, and three new grantees will be awarded funding.
The grants will fund curriculum development, specialized equipment and coach training. Recipients of Bridgestone’s 2026 Adaptive Sports in Schools Grants include the following:
- Adaptive Sports Ohio, Wooster, OH
- The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP), Atlanta, GA
- Children First Fund: The Chicago Public Schools Foundation
- Patterson Joint Unified School District, Patterson, CA
- Rolling Panthers Wheelchair Basketball, Massillon, OH
- The School Board of Miami-Dade County, FL
- Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, Fort Wayne, IN
- Valley Stream Union Free School District No. 13, Valley Stream, NY
“Adding adapted track and field has helped enhance and grow our overall track and field program,” said Coach Rod Harris of Peach County High School in Georgia, a first-time grant recipient through AAASP in 2025. “Everyone learns from each other, and it creates a strong sense of camaraderie within the team. It’s incredibly impactful, and we want to continue growing the program because it is truly inclusive.”
Bridgestone’s investment in adaptive sports reflects its ongoing commitment to increasing access to youth participation in sports. These efforts align with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, the company’s global corporate framework focused on contributing to a more sustainable world. Adaptive sports initiatives support the values of “Emotion” and “Empowerment” by using the power of sports to excite, inspire and unite people across borders and backgrounds.
For more information, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com.
Media information: Wade Munday // mundaywade@bfusa.com
