Candice Arnone joins Mat Hotho for a practical conversation about fundraising and sponsorships for adaptive CrossFit athletes without the awkwardness, guilt, or “I’m asking for a handout” mentality.
Candice is a Neuromuscular Major adaptive athlete with right-side hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and she works professionally as a grant officer for a major nonprofit, managing large foundation and corporate funds on the grant management side. She brings a simple nonprofit framework into the athlete-sponsorship world: link, interest, ability—create a real connection, build shared interest in the mission, and then make an ask that matches someone’s ability to give.
They talk about why relationship-building matters more than assumptions, how corporate sponsorship differs from asking an individual, how to avoid the comparison trap, and why telling your story is only step one. Candice also shares tactical advice: build a real budget, start early, don’t spam your campaign daily, and consider a simple (and attainable) challenge to create momentum.
Read more about the L.I.A. method.
Prior fundraiser Candice mentions in the episode: NEHP Adaptive Athlete Scholarship Program Kickoff
Connect with Candice on Instagram: @sky7285.
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod
