Grants for Fire Departments

Last updated September 30, 2026

There are currently 122 open grants for fire departments in Grantable's free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 50 list an award amount, with a median of $10K.

Open grants: 122; from 87 funders
Median award: $10K; middle half $2,750–$30K
Total listed funding: $13.3M; across 50 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 4; 8 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Rural VFD Assistance Program (HB 2604) The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides funding to rural VFDs for equipment and training needs.	Rolling	Varies
Hammond Trust Emergency Services Scholarship Fund Grant Community Foundation of Mendocino County · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Hammond Trust Emergency Services Scholarship Fund, established by the Ukiah Fire Fighters Association, supports Mendocino County high school students pursuing careers in emergency services.	Rolling	Varies
Helping Hands Program The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas · Foundation Rolling · Varies Allows the donation of used equipment while providing liability relief to the donor.	Rolling	Varies
Community Investment Grants Owen County Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Up to $5K To supply broad, diverse, and responsive funds to address community needs in Owen County, Indiana.	Rolling	Up to $5K
Rural VFD Insurance Program (HB 3667) The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides reimbursement grants for Texas firefighters to obtain insurance coverage.	Rolling	Varies
Emergency Responder Health & Wellness Grant Texas Mutual Insurance Company · Foundation Rolling · Up to $5K The Emergency Responder Health & Wellness Grant, sponsored by VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual Insurance Company, offers need-based funding up to $5,000 for Texas fire departments and non-profit EMS organizations.	Rolling	Up to $5K
Reg Christman Fire Science Support Fund Casper College Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies A support fund established in memory of Reg Christman, a Casper firefighter for 23 years who ended his career as division chief training officer. The fund provides financial assistance to Casper College fire science students in need.	Rolling	Varies
EMERGENCY SERVICES and PUBLIC SAFETY – Rural Fire Protection Program Vermont Association of Conservation Districts · State Rolling · $1M – $2M Installation of new dry hydrants and other types of rural water supplies (priority), repair/upgrade, replacement, relocation of existing rural water supplies (whether previously grant funded or not), and development of drafting sites…	Rolling	$1M – $2M
Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant (FEEEG) Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation · Foundation Rolling · Up to $15K The Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant (FEEEG) is designed to support Ohio firefighter employers in reducing exposure to hazardous environmental factors.	Rolling	Up to $15K
Susquehanna Fire Department Scholarship Grant Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains (CFEM) · Foundation Rolling · Varies Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March.	Rolling	Varies
First Responders Outreach (FRO) Grant Gary Sinise Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The First Responders Outreach (FRO) Grant, provided by the Gary Sinise Foundation, supports essential resources for firefighters, police, and EMTs.	Rolling	Varies
Firefighter Grant Program Missouri American Water · Foundation Rolling · Up to $1K The Firefighter Grant Program by Missouri American Water aims to support local fire departments with financial assistance up to $1,200. This initiative is part of the company's commitment to enhancing community safety and well-being.	Rolling	Up to $1K
Ohio Elks Association: Community Service Grants Ohio Elks Association · Foundation Rolling · Up to $1K The Ohio Elks Association offers Community Service Grants aimed at enhancing local government capabilities. Grants up to $1,000 are available for municipalities, police, fire, and park departments to purchase essential equipment.	Rolling	Up to $1K
Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians Community Contribution: Community Impact Grants Stillaguamish Tribe Of Indians · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians offers Community Impact Grants aimed at supporting non-tribal local governmental agencies.	Rolling	Varies
Volunteer Fire Dept Program Grant Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Volunteer Fire Dept Program, established by the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation and The Priddy Foundation, aims to enhance community life in Wichita Falls through charitable giving.	Rolling	Varies
Equipment Grant Request / Safety-Equipment Grant Request Hundred Club of Genesee Shiawassee · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Carol Hansen & Ethel Bauder Fund Grant Central New York Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Carol Hansen & Ethel Bauder Fund, established by Robert E. Hansen, supports scholarships for children of Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department members.	Rolling	Varies
Aid to Localities Entitlement (ATL) Program Department of Fire Programs · State Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program Compeer Financial, ACA · Foundation Rolling · Up to $4K The Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program by Compeer Financial aims to bolster rural communities by providing funding for essential emergency response equipment for volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance departments.	Rolling	Up to $4K
Federal Excess Personal Property Program The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas · Foundation Rolling · Varies Acquires excess federal equipment and makes it available to fire departments. Texas A&M Forest Service acquires excess federal equipment on loan from the federal government.	Rolling	Varies
Perry & Ruby Stevens Charitable Foundation Grant Perry & Ruby Stevens · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Perry & Ruby Stevens Charitable Foundation Grant supports qualified non-profit organizations focusing on various charitable purposes, including assistance to disabled persons, treatment for abused women, and support for volunteer…	Rolling	Varies
Narragansett Foundation Grant Narragansett Number One Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Narragansett Foundation Grant aims to support charitable, educational, and scientific endeavors, focusing on public charities in Buxton, Maine. It funds start-up expenses, new projects, and general operating support.	Rolling	Varies
Enbridge Safe Community Program Mountrail Bethel Home Inc · Foundation Rolling · $10K Provide small grants to first-responder organizations to help underwrite equipment or training that would help organizations respond to emergency situations.	Rolling	$10K
Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants Department of Forestry · State Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies

Showing 97–120 of 121

About grants for fire departments

Grants for fire departments fund apparatus, personal protective equipment, breathing apparatus, training, staffing, and prevention programs that local tax bases often cannot fully cover. The cornerstone is FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which includes the AFG, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants. State fire marshal offices, corporate foundations, and national fire service organizations provide additional funding for gear, vehicles, and recruitment.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow grants for fire departments down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do grants for fire departments award?

Of the 122 open grants for fire departments Grantable lists as of September 30, 2026, 50 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $10K, and the middle half fall between $2,750 and $30K. The largest is $3.5M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most grants for fire departments?

By number of open listings, the most active funders are The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas (11), California Fire Foundation (5), Department of Fire Programs (5), Department of Forestry (3), and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (3). In all, 87 funders have at least one open grant in this category.

When are grants for fire departments due?

Of 122 open grants, 4 accept applications on a rolling basis, 8 have a published upcoming deadline, 14 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 96 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site.

What grants are available for fire departments?

Fire departments can pursue grants for engines and apparatus, turnout gear and SCBA, wellness and fitness programs, training, fire prevention education, and firefighter staffing. The primary federal sources are FEMA's three Assistance to Firefighters programs: AFG (equipment and operations), SAFER (hiring and retaining firefighters), and FP&S (prevention and safety research). State agencies and private foundations supplement these with equipment and community risk reduction grants.

What is the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)?

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is a competitive FEMA program that helps fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical services organizations meet their firefighting and emergency response needs. Funds can be used for personal protective equipment, apparatus, training, and health and wellness initiatives. AFG sits alongside FEMA's SAFER grant (which funds firefighter hiring and recruitment) and FP&S grant (which funds prevention and safety projects) under the broader Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program.

Can volunteer fire departments apply?

Yes. Volunteer and combination fire departments are eligible for AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grants, and FEMA's scoring criteria are designed so that smaller and volunteer departments compete fairly against larger career agencies. SAFER in particular funds recruitment and retention campaigns aimed squarely at the volunteer service. A strong application ties each request to documented community risk, call data, and a clear gap that local funding cannot close.

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