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
Terry Farrell Firefighter Fund Grant The Terry Farrell Firefighters Scholarship Fund Inc. · Foundation Not published · Varies The Terry Farrell Firefighters’ Fund, established post-9/11, provides vital educational and financial support to families of firefighters across the U.S. With over $10 million distributed in grants and surplus gear, the fund offers…	Not published	Varies
Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant Motorola Solutions Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant supports organizations that enhance safety and community well-being, focusing on underrepresented populations.	Not published	Up to $50K
Bright Lights Scholarship Grant Greater Kansas City Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $2K Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is a leading philanthropic organization founded in 1978 that inspires and facilitates charitable giving to improve quality of life in the Greater Kansas City…	Not published	$2K
Crime Prevention Fund Police Agency Grants Crime Prevention Fund · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Crime Prevention Fund provides special-request grants to police departments in its service area west of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota.	Rolling	Varies
New Jersey Law Enforcement Wellness and Resiliency Grant New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K Under the direction of the Attorney General, the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Law & Public Safety are dedicated to making New Jersey safe for all its residents and visitors.	Not published	Up to $50K
9-1-1 Trust Fund Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services · State Not published · Varies Primary contact for coordinating and funding the installation and enhancement of county/Baltimore City 9-1-1 systems. Establishes criteria, guidelines and regulations for evaluations and reimbursements.	Not published	Varies
Deputy Patrick Mayfield Scholarship Grant North Georgia Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 This scholarship is awarded to a North Georgia First Responder, their child or spouse who are pursuing their post-secondary education.	Not published	$500
Mental Health Resiliency Program National Law Enforcement · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Emergency Medical Services - State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems · State Not published · Varies Assists with local preparedness activities that address high-priority preparedness. Support the development of EMS field-deployable technology, Mass Casualty Support Units and supplies, training and exercises for mass casualty incidents.	Not published	Varies
Widows and Orphans Fund Santa Ana Police Officers Widows & Orphans Fund · Foundation Rolling · Varies Support and relief fund for officers and their families of those killed or injured on duty, and to support community youth and non-profit organizations in Santa Ana. 1607 North Sycamore St.	Rolling	Varies
COPS Technology and Equipment Program Alamo Area Development Corporation · Foundation Not published · $4.5M Radio interoperability is critical for coordinated emergency response to mass casualty events and natural disasters. Multi-band radios allow first responders to link up on dedicated channels for prompt resource deployment.	Not published	$4.5M
Fire Department Equipment & Infrastructure Grant Program San Diego Regional Fire & Emergency · Foundation Not published · Varies For 36 years, the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation has been the only fire foundation supporting all of San Diego County with the goal of "Making San Diego the Safest County in the Nation." The foundation prioritizes identifying critical…	Not published	Varies
First Responder-Hero Education Scholarship Grant The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is an independent, public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of local civic leaders to gather permanent funds to support our area.	Not published	Varies
First Responder Grants Chaffee County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Grants provided through Sangre de Cristo Electric Association to support first responders.	Not published	Varies
The Davis Fire Appreciation Scholarship Grant Community Foundation of Northern Nevada · Foundation Not published · $3K The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. Scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000 for a single year.	Not published	$3K
Line of Duty Death Benefit The State Firemens and Fire Marshals Association of Texas · Foundation Not published · $500K A college tuition exemption is also available to children of fallen firefighters. Learn more from the Texas LODD Taskforce	Not published	$500K
Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation Grants Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides funding to Virginia Beach volunteer rescue squads and related emergency medical service organizations for equipment, upgrades, training, and operational needs.	Not published	Varies
Dettwiller Foundation Grants Dettwiller Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Dettwiller Foundation Grants support a broad array of initiatives in Tennessee, honoring Fred Dettwiller's charitable legacy.	Not published	Varies
United We Stand Grant: State Agencies (NV) State of Nevada Emergency Response Commission · State Not published · Up to $32K The United We Stand Grant for State Agencies in Nevada provides crucial funding to enhance preparedness against terrorism. It supports local and state governments with planning, training, and purchasing necessary supplies and equipment.	Not published	Up to $32K
Hopewell Fire and Rescue Retiree Scholarship Endowment Grant John Randolph Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Hopewell Fire and Rescue Retiree Scholarship Endowment aims to support residents of Hopewell and surrounding areas in continuing their education at higher learning institutions.	Not published	Up to $3K
Body Armor For Local Law Enforcement (BARM) Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy · State Not published · Varies The purpose of the Body Armor Program is to assist local law enforcement agencies in acquiring protective body armor for each police officer.	Not published	Varies
Washington Gas Community Investment Fund Grant Washington Gas · Foundation Not published · Varies Washington Gas Charitable Giving has supported communities for over 170 years, focusing on education, environmental protection, and health initiatives.	Not published	Varies
Summer Camp Scholarship Erik Hite Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $13K The EHF Summer Scholarship program offers Southern Arizona Public Safety and Active Military families the opportunity for their children to attend supervised programs, educational enrichment classes, and sports camps in Pima County during…	Not published	Up to $13K
Southern Indiana Trauma Kit Challenge The Central Indiana Police Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A Central Indiana Police Foundation program related to trauma kit distribution and support (specific details limited in provided materials).	Not published	Varies

Showing 49–72 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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