Grants for First Responders

Last updated October 22, 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
Brothers Helping Brothers: Equipment Grants Brothers Helping Brothers · Foundation Not published · Varies Brothers Helping Brothers is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential tools and equipment to small and rural fire departments.	Not published	Varies
Safety Equipment Program United States Deputy Sheriffs' Association Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies USDSA donates much-needed safety equipment to smaller, underfunded law enforcement entities at no charge to the department.	Rolling	Varies
Operation Round Up Grant Program Clay Electric Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · $2K – $15K The Clay Electric Foundation approves grants throughout the year from the Operation Round Up program. This program receives funding from unclaimed money and member contributions that are rounded up on their electric bills.	Rolling	$2K – $15K
Randy Willmon Memorial Firefighter Scholarship Grant East Texas Communities Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Randy Willmon Memorial Firefighter Scholarship, established by Steve and Lynn Winston, honors Captain Randy Willmon of the Dallas Fire Department.	Not published	Varies
Snook Foundation Grant Snook Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Snook Foundation Grant aims to enhance educational opportunities and support civic organizations in Baldwin County, Alabama.	Not published	Varies
TCFNF: Program Support Grants for Putnam County The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The TCFNF Program Support Grants aim to enhance the quality of life in Putnam County by funding nonprofits focused on education, safety nets, and general welfare.	Not published	Up to $25K
LA Wildfire Relief TM Scholarship Program Maharishi Foundation USA Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Provide Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique scholarships to support disaster recovery and trauma relief following the LA wildfires.	Not published	Varies
Community Grant Program National Telecommunications Cooperative Association · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Foundation for Rural Service awards grants to rural communities for projects that benefit residents and strengthen community infrastructure.	Not published	Up to $5K
Deputy Nicolas Dixon Scholarship Grant North Georgia Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $750 This scholarship is awarded to a North Georgia First Responder, their child or spouse who are pursuing their post-secondary education.	Not published	$750
Southern California Wildfire Preparedness & Education Funding California Fire Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The California Fire Foundation (CFF) is a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Sacramento, CA. Formed in 1987, CFF’s mandate includes an array of survivor assistance projects and community initiatives.	Not published	Varies
CCCF: First Responder Grants Chaffee County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The CCCF: First Responder Grants, offered by the Chaffee County Community Foundation, provide funding to enhance first responder capabilities in Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, and Saguache counties.	Not published	Up to $1K
Hero Fund America Fund Grants The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K Hero Fund America offers grants to EMS, Fire, and Law Enforcement Agencies, supporting essential training, education, and equipment needs.	Not published	Up to $2K
PulsePoint Grant Competition (Citizen CPR Foundation Partnership) Pulsepoint Foundation · Foundation Not published · $20K Awards recognize communities that demonstrate: The competition was announced in June 2017 as a first-of-its-kind grant opportunity.	Not published	$20K
ILETSB - Law Enforcement Camera Grant Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board · Foundation Not published · Up to $3M The FY 25 ILETSB Law Enforcement Camera Grant provides funding to Illinois law enforcement agencies for the acquisition of in-car video and officer-worn body cameras.	Not published	Up to $3M
Rewarding Responders Grants Wisconsin Public Service Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Rewarding Responders Grant, offered by the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, supports emergency response agencies in their safety initiatives.	Not published	Up to $2K
High on Heroes Scholarship Grant Kalamazoo Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 Fueling Equity & Racial Justice Since 1925 KZCF is dedicated to our mission to create a thriving community where people, resources and expertise are mobilized to advance racial, social and economic justice in Kalamazoo County.	Not published	$500
All In Fund Dr Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1M #FirstRespondersFirst is an initiative of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Thrive Global, and the CAA Foundation that has raised more than $10 million to support healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	$1M
Mae And George Siller Scholarship Program Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Mae and George Siller Scholarship Program provides educational support to the families of fallen first responders and military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.	Not published	Varies
Hanover Life Squad Fund Grant Hamilton Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 – $10K The Hanover Life Squad Fund, established in 1999, supports local fire departments and emergency medical services in Butler County.	Not published	$500 – $10K
Scott Family Public Safety Scholarship Grant Ashland County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Scott Family Public Safety Scholarship, offered by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports high school graduates residing in Ashland County.	Not published	Varies
BFOA Emergency Grant Broadcasters Foundation of America · Foundation Not published · Varies The Broadcasters Foundation of America Emergency Grant provides vital financial assistance to broadcasters facing acute financial hardship due to natural disasters or emergencies.	Not published	Varies
RFA- SHSP and UASI – Supporting Border Crisis Response and Enforcement Projects Grant State of Texas Office of the Governor · State Not published · $10K The RFA- SHSP and UASI grant program by the State of Texas Office of the Governor aims to bolster state and local initiatives for preventing terrorism and enhancing public safety.	Not published	$10K
Positively Memphis Community Grant: Military and First Responders Focus PGA Tour Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $25K The Positively Memphis Community Grant supports nonprofit organizations that make a significant impact in the Memphis area, offering funding between $1,000 and $25,000.	Not published	$1K – $25K
911 Trust Fund Maryland Department of Emergency Management · State Not published · Varies The Maryland 9-1-1 Board oversees the state's 9-1-1 emergency communications system, including administration of the 9-1-1 Trust Fund and statutory compliance for the state's 24 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).	Not published	Varies

Showing 169–192 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 22, 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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