New Nonprofit Project Grant Beneficiary: Open Door Sports in Kensington, Maryland

Open Door Sports (ODS) is yet another nonprofit serving the IDD community that was founded by a parent after a transformative family experience with her daughter that sparked a commitment to ensure children with disabilities are never sidelined due to a lack of inclusive opportunities. Since launching its first program in 2017, ODS’s mission has been to provide free, high-quality adapted sports programs, positive experiences, and community-building opportunities for individuals with special needs and their peer buddy volunteers, fostering a welcoming environment where children with and without disabilities learn skills, build friendships, and grow together through sports.

Because of its inclusive and relationship-driven model, Open Door Sports has become a vital recreational resource for children and young adults with disabilities in the community. ODS currently delivers approximately 72 free adapted programs each year, serving roughly 700 participants, supported by paid coaches and trained middle- and high-school peer buddies who partner one-on-one with players. Adapted Sports Programs for children and young adults with disabilities (“players”) include soccer, basketball, bocce, tennis, yoga, t-ball, golf, and flag football.

Open Door Sports (ODS) sought $14,414 in funding to expand its free, after-school adapted sports programming to three new school locations in lower Montgomery County, MD, serving 90 children with disabilities during the Fall 2026–Spring 2027 school year.

Without ODS, many children with disabilities would be unable to participate in school-based sports, as most programs are largely designed for neurotypical children and lack appropriate accommodations, staffing, and supports. The grant from FCIDD, sponsored by the Greater Silver Spring Civitan Club, will allow ODS to serve children:

·Like Tisha and Jason, who use wheelchairs for mobility and are able to be safely belayed up the climbing wall during ODS rock-climbing activities.

·Like Benny and Zachary, non-speaking children on the autism spectrum who communicate effectively with team-mates and peer buddies during game play.

·Like Dean and Isla, who may initially observe from the sidelines but gradually build comfort and confidence, often becoming fully engaged participants.

·Like Steven and Ben, who entered ODS programs struggling with physical endurance and have since grown into agile, confident athletes scoring unassisted goals.

These stories reflect the transformative power of inclusive, well-supported sports programming. FCIDD is proud to be partnered with this growing IDD nonprofit.