The River & The Rock Award
MDFF offers an annual award of up to $2,500 to be used in pursuit of a dream or goal, by an individual in Indiana who displays resilience, courage and/or perseverance. This award is funded by the Nicholoff family in honor of Phillip James “PJ” Nicholoff and his incredible memory. Read more about the life-saving legacy of PJ here.
Read about our 2025 winner here.
Read about our 2024 winner here.
Read about our 2023 winner here.
Read about our 2022 winner here.
Read about our 2021 winner here.
Read below for more information about the guidelines and eligibility requirements. Please contact us for additional questions.
The application cycle for 2025 is closed. The application cycle will open again on August 1, 2026.
Award Criteria:
To be eligible, you must:
Be diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy or neuromuscular disease (see applicable diseases on the MDA website)
Reside in the state of Indiana
- Enroll with MDFF
Have shown resilience, courage and/or perseverance in your life
- Submit the form during the application window and provide our Board of Directors with an intended purpose for the award, in pursuit of a dream or goal
Award Timeline:
Aug 1-Oct 15: Applications Open
Nov 15: Winners Announced
Dec 15: Winners Awarded
