About Us

Our Mission

Wheelchair Foundation is a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to raise awareness of the need and challenges of people living with physical disabilities, to promote the joy of giving, foster global friendship, and deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen, and adult who needs one but cannot afford one or does not have access to a wheelchair. For these individuals, Wheelchair Foundation brings Hope, Mobility, and Freedom.

Wheelchair Foundation is a Division of Behring Global Educational Foundation. It is a 501(c)3 charitable foundation and the Federal Tax ID is 84-4053692.

About Our Wheelchairs

Wheelchair Foundation provides a durable, foldable, and cost-effective manual wheelchair designed to help restore mobility and freedom to people in need around the world.

Josh’s Story: Transforming Lives, One Wheelchair at a Time

For nearly two decades, father and son duo Don and Josh Routh have been dedicated volunteers for Wheelchair Foundation, spreading mobility, hope, and joy across the globe. Together, they have traveled to 23 countries on over 43 trips, delivering or sponsoring the delivery of 23,000 wheelchairs to those in need. Their journey is one of compassion, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of mobility to change lives.

Our Team

Jeff & David Behring

At Wheelchair Foundation, our people are at the heart of everything we do. From our headquarters in Danville, California to our outreach in Florida, our dedicated teams work every day to deliver hope, mobility, and freedom around the world.

Meet the teams that make our mission possible:

FAQs

How can I get a wheelchair?

You may go through our application process. You will need to fill out our application, waiver / liability form, and provide documentation (such as a doctors note) that expresses the need for a wheelchair to be considered for a wheelchair donation to you.

Do you accept physical wheelchair donations?

Unfortunately, we do not accept physical wheelchair donations, as we don’t have the storage or distribution network to handle them. However, you can view a list of other organizations, some of which do accept physical wheelchair donations, here.

Do you offer electric/power/specialty wheelchairs or scooters?

No, we only provide and distribute manual wheelchairs. You can find other organizations that may offer powered or specialty wheelchairs here.

Do you rent out wheelchairs?

No, we do not rent wheelchairs. Our mission is to donate them to individuals in need for long-term use. You can explore other organizations that may provide rentals here.

I’m missing a part, or a part of my wheelchair is broken. Can you help with repairs?

Unfortunately, we do not offer repair services. You can find organizations and programs that may assist with wheelchair repairs here.

How do you decide who gets a wheelchair?

We distribute wheelchairs worldwide through a network of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that have ongoing humanitarian relief missions in the countries of wheelchair destination. These distribution partners handle all aspects of the importation and distribution of the wheelchairs to children that can now go to school, adults that can now go to work, and seniors that can once again become an active part of family life and society.

What is the goal of the Wheelchair Foundation?

Our goal is to distribute 1 million wheelchairs in the next 5 years, and to further the awareness that a wheelchair is no longer an unaffordable item for delivery in developing countries throughout the world.

What wheelchairs are available?

The Wheelchair Foundation provides and distributes standard manual wheelchairs only. Learn more about our wheelchairs.

How many people need wheelchairs but cannot afford one?

It is estimated that at least 100 million children, teens and adults worldwide need a wheelchair but cannot afford one. Some international organizations believe that the number could be as high as 6% of the population of developing countries. The number in Angola is 20% of population of 12 million people. Other “landmine” countries such as Afghanistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bosnia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and Mozambique have extremely high physical disability rates.

How much do I have to donate to deliver a wheelchair to a physically disabled person?

$200 helps purchase, ship, and deliver a new wheelchair to a person in need and supports the mission of Wheelchair Foundation. To sponsor a container of 240 to 280 wheelchairs, please see our Program page.

Can I designate which country I want my donation to go?

We collect donations and then send containers of 240 to 280 wheelchairs each to our distribution partners in countries that have been identified as in great need. For sponsoring a container, you can pick a developing country from our list of approved destinations where we enjoy established and successful distribution relationships. There are currently 157 countries on the list.

How will my donation be acknowledged?

For every $200 tax-deductible donation, you will receive a personalized certificate of appreciation with a color photograph of a wheelchair recipient, a person who had their quality of life greatly improved by the gift of a wheelchair.

Are all of the wheelchairs going to countries other than the United States?

No. The Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, Catholic Charities, and other relief organizations are working with us here in the U.S. to distribute wheelchairs to people that need one but cannot afford one. Some groups and organizations do sponsor 280 wheelchair containers to the US, at a cost of $56,000 per container.

How can I attend a Wheelchair Foundation event or distribution?

Please visit the Events page of our website.

How can I help?

You can help in the following ways.

  • Corporate Sponsorship. Help us find corporations that have interests in countries that need our help. We can target their sponsorship to specific countries and needs, and we will put their logo on the wheelchair identifying them as sponsors of an entire wheelchair container. They will be heroes, and so many people will be given a new lease on life.
  • Your tax-deductible donation can make transform someone’s will to survive into a chance to thrive.
  • Get the word out! Tell your friends that you are now a part of the most ambitious relief mission of its kind in the history of our civilization!
  • Have a fund-raiser! A dinner or cocktail party in your home can serve as a venue to tell people about helping others. Local businesses, organizations and schools can all help. We will supply everything you need to help us change the world.
How can I change or cancel my monthly donation?

Send an email to info@wheelchairfoundation.org explaining that you want to change your donation amount or cancel it completely.