Golden Window

Get the support and guidance you need.

The Golden Window Program provides direct financial support to individuals recovering from a spinal cord injury (SCI) during a critical moment in their journey—when timely access to resources can significantly impact quality of life, independence, and long-term outcomes.

Recovery after an SCI is complex and costly. Medical bills, adaptive equipment, home modifications, transportation, and caregiver needs often create financial barriers that delay progress. The Golden Window Program exists to help bridge those gaps, ensuring individuals and their families can access essential support when they are needed most.

The Golden Window Program is a stipend-base support system for individuals with spinal cord injuries who reside in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Northern West Virginia.

A woman with glasses and shoulder-length red hair sitting in a motorized wheelchair outdoors on a grassy area, smiling. She is wearing a coral-colored top and white pants. In the background, there is a building with a porch, and trees with green leaves.

Eligibility

Individuals applying to the Golden Window Program must:

  • Have a spinal cord injury diagnosed by a medical professional.

  • Reside within Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Preference will be given to those who are in the first two years of injury or have no other means of financial support. All requests are reviewed with the goal of maximizing impact and supporting long-term independence and well-being.

What the Golden Window Program Supports

Golden Window grants are designed to address immediate, unmet needs related to spinal cord injury recovery.

    • Funds are paid directly to a provider. There are no reimbursements made to individuals for out-of-pocket expenses.)

    • The maximum stipend is $15,000, including any sales tax and installation fees.

    • An individuals service plan can include but is not limited to the following items; Additional Rehab Sessions, Home Adaptations & Modifications, Adaptive Vehicle Purchase or Adaptation, Mental Health Services and Support, Durable Medical Equipment, Adaptive Exercise or Sporting Equipment, Caregiving/Respite Services, and Adaptive Technology.

How to Apply

Applications to the Golden Window Program are submitted through our secure online portal. We encourage applicants to review the program guidelines and FAQs before beginning the application.

Apply Now

Review Process & Timeline

  • Applications Open

    October 1st
    February 1st
    June 1st

  • Submission Due Date

    November 1st
    March 1st
    July 1st

  • Award Notifications

    First Week of December
    First Week of April
    First Week of August

 Each request is evaluated by a review committee of subject matter experts (doctors, nurses and other care providers; caregivers; and individuals with spinal cord injuries) and scored based on eligibility, demonstrated need, alignment with program guidelines, and available funding. 

Applicants may be contacted for additional information during the review process. Funding decisions and timelines vary depending on the nature of the request and volume of applications received.

“You have no idea how much this meant to Frank. He has said your name to all of his friends and that you are inspiring him to work hard at rehab and keep believing that he will walk again!”

— Theresa