Grants for First Responders

Last updated October 21, 2026

Grantable tracks 308 active grants for first responders in its free grants database, drawn from federal, 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: Federal State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
New Era Cap Foundation Impact Grants New Era Cap Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The New Era Cap Foundation Impact Grants aim to support nonprofit organizations in Western New York and beyond, focusing on five key areas: Cancer Patient & Family Care, Veterans & First Responders, Women Empowerment, Youth Sports, and…	Not published	Varies
CSX Charitable Investments- Pride in Service Grants CSX Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $3K – $25K CSX Charitable Investments offers the Pride in Service Grants to support organizations that honor and assist military members and first responders.	Not published	$3K – $25K
EMERGENCY SERVICES and PUBLIC SAFETY – Assistance to Firefighters Grant Federal Emergency Management Agency · Federal Not published · Up to $100 Funds outfitting responders with compliant personal protective equipment to enhance their safety during incident response, retrofit or modify facilities to address known health hazards, and acquire emergency response vehicles.	Not published	Up to $100
Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (OR) Business Oregon · Foundation Not published · Up to $2.5M The Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP) in Oregon supports funding for the seismic upgrades of critical public buildings, focusing on public schools and emergency service facilities.	Not published	Up to $2.5M
Columbus Firefighters Foundation Scholarship-Children of Columbus Division of Fire Members Grant Columbus Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K The Columbus Firefighters Foundation Scholarship supports the dependent children of active or retired members of the Columbus Division of Fire.	Not published	$1K
Hazardous Materials Training and Planning Grant Ohio Public Utilities Commission · Foundation Not published · Varies The Hazardous Materials Training and Planning Grant, offered by the Ohio Public Utilities Commission, aims to enhance public safety by funding training for emergency services personnel on managing hazardous materials spills during…	Not published	Varies
Action Program (Killed in the Line of Duty) Two Hundred Club of Bergen County · Foundation Not published · $500K Provide death benefits and financial support to families of first responders fallen in the line of duty and to severely injured public servants.	Not published	$500K
2499 Line of Duty Scholarship Grant Central Alabama Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The 2499 Line of Duty Scholarship, established by the Central Alabama Community Foundation, honors Montgomery Police Officer David Colley.	Not published	Varies
Operations Planning Training Equipment Grant: Local Emergency Planning Committees (NV) State of Nevada Emergency Response Commission · State Not published · Up to $36K The Operations Planning Training Equipment Grant supports Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in Nevada.	Not published	Up to $36K
DOD Firefighter Property Program The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides excess DoD military property to emergency service providers. Ownership of the equipment is passed from the federal government to the recipient.	Not published	Varies
ESA Youth Scholarship Program Grant Electronic Security Association · Foundation Not published · $3K – $15K The ESA Youth Scholarship Program, by the Electronic Security Association, provides financial support to children of first responders, having awarded over $941,500 to date.	Not published	$3K – $15K
Emergency/Medical Workers Behavioral Health Fund Grant Healthwell Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Emergency/Medical Workers Behavioral Health Fund aims to support emergency workers facing trauma and anxiety due to their roles.	Not published	Up to $2K
Mini-Grants DOT Highway Safety Grants · State Not published · Varies Funding assistance available to law enforcement and eligible non-profit organizations for: preliminary breath testing (PBT) units, radar units, in-car video cameras, selective overtime enforcement, car safety seats, traffic safety…	Not published	Varies
Byrne - Justice Assistance Grant Solicitation - Law Enforcement Equipment (VA) Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services · Foundation Not published · $10K – $75K The Byrne - Justice Assistance Grant Solicitation for Law Enforcement Equipment in Virginia offers $2,000,000 in federal funding to local law enforcement agencies for the purchase of essential equipment.	Not published	$10K – $75K
Bulletproof Vest Program (BVP) (MA) Grant Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research (OGR) · Foundation Not published · Varies The Bulletproof Vest Program (BVP) in Massachusetts provides essential reimbursement for police departments to acquire life-saving bulletproof vests.	Not published	Varies
Community Impact Grants Texas Capital Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Impact Grants, offered by the Texas Capital Bank Foundation, are aimed at supporting Texas-based nonprofits that provide essential services to low- and moderate-income communities.	Not published	Varies
John and Polly Sparks Grant for Rural First-Responders Mental Health Interventions American Psychological Foundation · Foundation Not published · $34K The John and Polly Sparks Grant for Rural First-Responders Mental Health Interventions, funded by the American Psychological Foundation, supports psychologists in conducting evidence-based research to enhance mental health training for…	Not published	$34K
Rewarding Responders Grant We Energies Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Rewarding Responders Grant, offered by the We Energies Foundation, supports local public safety agencies with funding up to $2,000 per project.	Not published	Up to $2K
Henry H. Jensen Memorial Award Rochester Rotary Charitable Trusts Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Presented annually to one of the Rochester Police Department's "unsung heroes" to recognize exceptional service and community contributions.	Not published	Varies
Veterans and First Responders Fund Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio Grand Lodge · Foundation Not published · Varies The Veterans and First Responders Fund provides financial assistance and support to military veterans and first responders through the Grand Lodge of Ohio.	Not published	Varies
St. Florian Scholarship Fund Grant Greater Kansas City Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the St. The next deadline for this grant is Wed, 15 Apr 2026.	Not published	Varies
SFFMA SAFER Grant The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas · Foundation Not published · $2,805,000 The grant covers several areas of need faced by volunteer fire departments in Texas: Accident and Health Benefit Summary (Coverage Period: February 1, 2026 - December 22, 2029) FRAP offers 24/7 confidential assistance for: As of 2/20/26…	Not published	$2,805,000
Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program The Leary Firefighters Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $25K The Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program, managed by the Leary Firefighters Foundation, supports paid and volunteer fire departments across the US, focusing on training, equipment, and technology enhancements.	Not published	$5K – $25K
Nate Mills Memorial Firefighter's Fund Training Reimbursement Huntington County Community Fdtn Inc · Foundation Rolling · $100 – $200 A specialized fund providing reimbursement for firefighter training expenses, established in memory of Nate Mills, a dedicated firefighter who served the Markle Volunteer Fire Department and Fort Wayne Fire Department.	Rolling	$100 – $200

Showing 25–48 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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