Grants for First Responders

Last updated October 21, 2026

Grantable tracks 308 active grants for first responders in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 3 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 144 list an award amount, with a median of $10K.

Grants tracked: 308; from 218 funders
Median award: $10K; middle half $2,500–$50K
Total listed funding: $56.9M; across 144 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 17; 17 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
North Texas Cares (Phase One) The Dallas Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A joint initiative of 15+ North Texas organizations including The Dallas Foundation created to provide emergency funding for nonprofits responding to COVID-19.	Not published	Varies
First Responder Life-Saving Equipment Initiative Permian Road Safety Coalition · Foundation Not published · $5M A five-year, $5 million initiative completed by the Permian Road Safety Coalition in partnership with the Permian Strategic Partnership.	Not published	$5M
Reno Firefighters Local 731 Benevolent Fund Reno Firefighters Association Inc Local 731 · Foundation Not published · Varies The Reno Firefighters Local 731 Benevolent Fund bridges gaps in charitable aid by offering flexible, unrestricted support to Reno firefighters facing hardships, medical emergencies, or challenges.	Not published	Varies
Wilford Kallmeyer Emergency Responders Grantmaking Program Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K Wilford Kallmeyer Emergency Responders Grant The Community Foundation of the Hermann Area works to improve the quality of life for individuals in its service area through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership.	Not published	Up to $1K
First Responders Outreach (FRO) Grant Gary Sinise Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The First Responders Outreach (FRO) Grant, provided by the Gary Sinise Foundation, supports essential resources for firefighters, police, and EMTs.	Not published	Varies
Randy Willmon Memorials Firefighter Scholarship Grant East Texas Communities Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 The Randy Willmon Memorial Firefighter Scholarship, established by Steve and Lynn Winston, honors a dedicated firefighter and aims to support a deserving Smith County graduate pursuing certification in Firefighting at Tyler Junior College.	Not published	$500
Firearms and Archery Range Recreation Grant Program Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office · Foundation Not published · Up to $150K The Firearms and Archery Range Recreation Grant Program, established by the Washington State Legislature in 1990, plays a vital role in enhancing public safety and recreational opportunities.	Not published	Up to $150K
Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians Community Contribution: Community Impact Grants Stillaguamish Tribe Of Indians · Foundation Not published · Varies The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians offers Community Impact Grants aimed at supporting non-tribal local governmental agencies.	Not published	Varies
College Tuition Exemption for Fire Science Students The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas · Foundation Not published · Varies Volunteer and paid firefighters seeking a fire science degree are exempt from college tuition. Tuition exemption (excludes lab fees and other charges)	Not published	Varies
Equipment Grant Request / Safety-Equipment Grant Request Hundred Club of Genesee Shiawassee · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Lift A Life Foundation: Community Impact Grant Lift a Life Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $5K – $50K The Lift A Life Foundation's Community Impact Grant provides funding to nonprofits in Kentucky, focusing on Early Childhood Education, Food Insecurity, and Military & First Responder Family Support.	Not published	$5K – $50K
Forever Remember Scholarship Grant The Marietta Kiwanis Foundationinc · Foundation Not published · $3K We are about helping children, right here in Marietta! Kiwanis Club of Marietta members participate in service projects, hold fundraisers, and change children’s lives in our community.	Not published	$3K
AKC Reunite Adopt a K-9 Cop Matching Grant American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery Corporation · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K AKC Reunite's Adopt a K-9 Cop matching grant partners with local AKC-affiliated kennel clubs to place trained K-9 police dogs with U.S. law enforcement agencies that lack budget for them.	Not published	Up to $8K
EMS and Trauma System Improvement Funding Colorado Rural Health Center · Foundation Not published · $6.7M Grants and system improvement funding for organizations involved in providing emergency medical and trauma services in Colorado. Approximately $6.7 million available.	Not published	$6.7M
Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program Compeer Financial, ACA · Foundation Not published · 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.	Not published	Up to $4K
Housing Solutions Honors Award Grant Texas Capital Foundation · Foundation Not published · $50K The Housing Solutions Honors Award, provided by the Texas Capital Foundation, aims to support nonprofits focused on enhancing housing stability and generational wealth through education and planning.	Not published	$50K
Jonathan Ed Hara Scholarship Fund Grant Hawaii Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Jonathan Ed Hara Scholarship Fund, established in 2020 in honor of a dedicated fire emergency medical specialist, supports Hawaii Island high school graduates pursuing degrees in Fire Science or Mobile Intensive Care Technician.	Not published	Varies
Larry R. Smith First Responders Scholarship Grant East Texas Communities Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K The Larry R. Smith First Responders Scholarship, established by the East Texas Communities Foundation, aims to support students pursuing education in law-related fields.	Not published	$5K
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Scholarship Program Grant Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Scholarship Program supports students aiming to enroll in firefighter, law enforcement, or emergency medical programs at accredited institutions.	Not published	$5K
The NRA Foundation Frontline Heroes Scholarship Grant NRA Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.	Not published	Up to $10K
Project Grants DOT Highway Safety Grants · State Not published · Varies Traffic safety projects and activities available to organizations. Applications for projects with potential to impact priority traffic safety areas are annually reviewed.	Not published	Varies
Lt. Danny Dundas Memorial First Responder Scholarship Casper College Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K A scholarship established in memory of Lt. Danny Dundas by his parents, David and Karla Dundas.	Not published	$1K
Emergency Medical Services - Medical Equipment for EMS Operational Programs Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems · State Not published · Varies Provides matching funds for EMS medical equipment for emergency medical clinicians. This includes Automated External Defibrilators (AEDs), monitor defibrillators, and accessories.	Not published	Varies
Tuscola County Community Foundation: Emergency Needs Fund Grant Tuscola County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $2K The Tuscola County Community Foundation, established in 1997, offers the Emergency Needs Fund Grant to support the urgent needs of residents in Tuscola County.	Not published	$2K

Showing 265–288 of 306

About grants for first responders

Grants for first responders help fire departments, EMS agencies, search and rescue teams, and law enforcement cover equipment, training, staffing, and wellness needs that local budgets rarely stretch to fund. Major federal sources include FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) for firefighting and EMS organizations, the U.S. Department of Justice's COPS Office and Bureau of Justice Assistance for law enforcement, and FEMA preparedness grants administered through state emergency management agencies. National nonprofits and corporate giving programs add further support for gear, vehicles, and responder mental health.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow grants for first responders 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 first responders award?

Of the 308 grants for first responders Grantable lists as of October 21, 2026, 144 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $10K, and the middle half fall between $2,500 and $50K. The largest is $6.7M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most grants for first responders?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are National Law Enforcement and (7), The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas (7), Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (5), North Georgia Community Foundation Inc (5), and Berks County Community Foundation Inc (4). In all, 218 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are grants for first responders due?

Of 308 grants listed, 17 accept applications on a rolling basis, 17 have a published upcoming deadline, 53 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 221 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site.

What grants are available for first responders?

First responder grants span personal protective equipment, apparatus and vehicles, communications gear, training and certification, staffing, and health and wellness initiatives. Federal programs include FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) for fire and EMS agencies, and DOJ COPS Office and Bureau of Justice Assistance awards for law enforcement. State emergency management agencies pass through additional FEMA preparedness funding, and private foundations and corporate programs fund specific equipment and responder support needs.

Who funds grants for first responders?

The largest funders are federal agencies: FEMA (within the Department of Homeland Security) for fire, EMS, and emergency preparedness, and the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and Office of Justice Programs for law enforcement. State agencies administer many of these dollars locally, and national nonprofits, hospital systems, and corporate philanthropy round out the field with targeted equipment, training, and wellness grants.

Can volunteer and small-town responder agencies apply?

Yes. Many federal programs, including FEMA's AFG and SAFER, explicitly prioritize volunteer and combination departments and smaller agencies that serve rural communities. Eligibility generally requires that you be a recognized government agency or a qualifying nonprofit emergency organization. Because applications can be competitive and detailed, building a clear needs narrative backed by call volume, response data, and a documented funding gap improves your odds.

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