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IFCA Foundation Annual Scholarship Program

Illinois Fire Chiefs Association

Foundation Annual Grants for Fire DepartmentsGrants for EducationWorkforce Development Grants
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Funding Amount

$66,000 total awarded annually (approximately $850-1,100 per award based on historical data)

Deadline

March 15, 2027

341 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

IFCA Foundation Annual Scholarship Program

Funder: Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Educational and Research Foundation (IFCERF)

Geographic Scope: Illinois

Program Description: The IFCA Foundation Awards scholarships designed to permit individuals within the State of Illinois to further their formal education, certification and training through attendance at approved courses. The program began in 1983 with memorial gifts dedicated in honor of deceased Fire Service personnel and those supportive of the Fire Service.

Award Categories:

  • College Level (Fire Service related fields at institutions of higher learning)

  • Fire Officer Certification (OSFM approved)

  • Fire Service Training (OSFM approved certifications)

    • Funding Sources:

  • Individual donations

  • Organizational and business donations

  • IFCA Foundation Golf Outing & Raffle proceeds

  • Memorial gifts

    • Historical Performance:

  • 1983 (first year): 7 scholarships awarded, $4,400 total, 34 applicants

  • 2025: 77 scholarships awarded, $66,000 total, 145 applicants

  • Total since 1983: $2,239,225 awarded, 2,994 scholarships to 6,777 applicants

    • Eligibility: Individuals within Illinois seeking to further formal education, certification, and training in fire service-related fields

    Program Administration:

  • Application Period: January 1 - March 15 (annually)

  • Scholarship Committee reviews applications and develops guidelines

  • Guidelines approved by full Board of Directors

  • Online application platform

  • Scholarship recipients notified in early May

    • Contact:

  • Phone: 847.966.0732

  • Email: info@illinoisfirechiefs.org

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Timeline:

  • Application Period Opens: January 1

  • Application Period Closes: March 15 (before midnight)

  • Recipients Notified: Early May

    • How to Apply:
    1. Access online application portal on IFCA website (opens January 1)
    2. Create username and password
    3. Complete online application form
    4. Submit before March 15 deadline

    Technical Support:

  • If you have issues logging in to existing application, clear your browser cache

  • Instructions provided for: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera, Android browsers, and Microsoft Edge

  • Contact IFCA office if additional support needed

    • Required Materials:

  • (Specific application materials not detailed in provided text; refer to online application portal for complete requirements)

    • Incomplete Applications: Will not be considered

    Questions: Contact IFCA Office

  • Phone: 847.966.0732

  • Email: info@illinoisfirechiefs.org

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    fire-departmentseducationworkforce-development

    Categories

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