Our Purpose & Goals
The USOPC has established the Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund (OPRF) dedicated to (1) providing charitable assistance to United States Olympians & Paralympians who demonstrate a significant need due to hardship as a result from illness, death or other extenuating circumstances; and (2) carrying out those other activities which may assist United States Olympians & Paralympians who demonstrate need as described above.
The Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund is to be funded by United States Olympians & Paralympians through tax-deductible contributions. Contributions can be made by direct payment to the Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund with check, credit card or cash (a receipt will be provided).
Management of the Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund is under the control of the Board of Directors consisting of the following individuals as authorized under Section 4.6 of the bylaws.
Principle Officers
John Naber
President
Swimming, 1976
James Rogers
Vice President
Team Handball, 1972, '76
Caroline Holmes
Secretary
Gymnastics, 1968
Cindy Stiner
Executive Director/Treasurer
Team Handball, 1984, '88, '92
Elexa Orrange-Allen
Track & Field, 1996
Candace Cable
Para Track & Field, 1980, '88, '92 '96 / Alpine Skiing, 1992 / Nordic Skiing, 1994, '98, 2002, '06
Bonnie Blair Cruikshank
Speed Skating, 1984, '88, '92, '94
Cathy Marino
Canoe/Kayak, 1988, '92
Erin Aldrich-Shean
Track & Field, 2000
Earl Young
Track & Field, 1960
John Naber
President
Swimming, 1976
James Rogers
Vice President
Team Handball, 1972, '76
Caroline Holmes
Secretary
Gymnastics, 1968
Cindy Stiner
Executive Director/Treasurer
Team Handball, 1984, '88, '92
Elexa Orrange-Allen
Track & Field, 1996
Candace Cable
Para Track & Field, 1980, '88, '92 '96 / Alpine Skiing, 1992 / Nordic Skiing, 1994, '98, 2002, '06
Bonnie Blair Cruikshank
Speed Skating, 1984, '88, '92, '94
Cathy Marino
Canoe/Kayak, 1988, '92
Erin Aldrich-Shean
Track & Field, 2000
Earl Young
Track & Field, 1960
Additional Details
Distribution of funds is made by the Grants Committee consisting of the Board of Directors of the OPRF and the staff of the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association.
The Grants Committee has sole responsibility for review of the grant requests and award of financial assistance, not to exceed funds available. Grants will be awarded based on two factors: hardship and lack of resource. An applicant must first demonstrate a hardship, which requires charitable assistance, such as an illness, injury, accident, etc. Second, an applicant must show a specific lack of resources based on that hardship. Some examples of resources may include money for surgery, repair of shelter, food, medicine, etc. Only if an applicant demonstrates both hardship and lack of resources he/she will be eligible for funding. In order to be eligible to receive aid you must be an Olympian and must meet the following criteria:
Request for assistance may be made by completing an application form as detailed in the Grant Process.
An applicant must be a United States Olympian or Paralympian... U.S. Olympians or Paralympians, a fellow U.S. Olympian or Paralympian in need.
Applicant must demonstrate loss or damage as a result of personal illness, injury, accident, death or property destruction affecting them.
The losses must be as the direct result of natural disasters, accident, or other personal tragedy.
Applicant must have pursued other sources of assistance, such as community agencies, insurance plans, banks, etc.
if you have any questions please contact Cynthia E. Stinger, Manager, U.S. OLYMPIANS & PARALYMPIANS ASSOCIATION at 1-800-717-7555.