Answers to your questions about fire grants, police grants, and more
Getting started with public safety grants? Trying to understand how grants work, and what we can do to help you along? Here are some common questions:
Who is eligible for public safety grants?
Eligibility will vary depending on the grant’s purpose and funding source, and there’s no “one size fits all” grant eligibility. Each grant will have its own eligibility guidelines. The guidelines list what types of organizations are eligible for that grant.
Does First Responder Grants fund grants?
First Responder will help you find and apply for grants. However, we do not offer funding and we do not operate, administer or award any grants ourselves.
Can I get a grant to cover the cost of your training?
We get it. When your department feels strapped for funds, it can be hard to make the case for investing your department’s budget in grant-writing training.
As far as we’re aware, there is not a grant or scholarship to cover the cost of our training, and we do not offer one. Here are some options though:
- Businesses such as WalMart sometimes offer funding for training or similar programs
- Your department might solicit local donations from the general public or other public sources
- Instead of attending in-person training, our online training offers live sessions, but without the travel costs that come with attending an in-person session
Do public safety agencies like mine actually win grants?
Any first responder agency of any size can be awarded grants. We’ve seen large agencies win grants of a few hundred dollars. We’ve also seen small, rural departments receive grant awards worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Where can I look for grants?
Several websites and organizations list grants. Where you look for grants depends on the type of agency you are (Law Enforcement for Fire/Rescue, for example), as well as what type of grant you might be looking for. Here are a few Federal agencies that can be reliable sources of grants:
- FEMA Preparedness Grants
- Grants.gov
- Bureau of Justice Assistance Funding & Awards
- Office of Justice Programs Grants and Funding
I don’t know how to write a grant. What should I do?
We offer training to help you learn to write grants. There are in-person classes, zoom classes, and the option for your agency to host a class. The host can attend the class free of charge.
Can I get a grant for a vehicle?
Yes, there are grants for vehicles. They tend to be competitive programs with specific requirements around needs and priorities.
What are the most common reasons a grant application doesn’t win?
The most common reason grants are declined is a failure to follow directions.
If I don’t win a grant one year, can I try again the next time the grant is open?
Many times if you have produced a good grant you can update the information and apply again the next year. The funding agency could have just run out of money. Another application period could have a completely different result!
How do I get started on grants for my agency?
Make a list of your needs in order of priority, then search for a grant to fund those needs. Follow the guidelines when writing the grant. We are also happy to assist you in finding and applying for funding.
When can my department apply for a grant?
All grants have an open and close date. You must wait until the grant opens to apply, but you can begin working on the grant almost a year ahead to ensure you have the best grant possible.
What information does my agency have to supply to write a grant?
The grant’s requirements will depend on the grant. The grant guidelines, or NOFO, tell you what information you’ll need to provide. In general, you will need information about your jurisdiction, critical infrastructure, statistics supporting your need, a budget, and how this grant will benefit your community.
What can my agency request in a grant application?
Grants have objectives as well as items that are high priority, low priority, or not allowed. Your grant must meet the funder’s goals and specifications.
How quickly will my application be processed?
It can take 12 to 18 months for your application to be processed. Grant programs often try to give a sense of when they’ll start announcing recipients, but that’s not always the case.
Where does grant funding come from?
Most grant funding starts at the federal level. Some is passed down to the state. Other funding can come from foundations or corporate giving.