Grant Programs
Wisconsin DNR Department Grant Programs
FFP 50% cost-share grants are available to Wisconsin Fire Departments and County/Area Fire Associations. Grant funding is intended to expand the use of local fire departments to augment and strengthen the Department of Natural Resources’ overall initial-attack fire suppression capabilities on forest fires.
Annual Timeline
- May 1st – Application period begins
- July 1st – Applications due
- October 1st – Awards announced and grant projects begin
- October 15th – Signed grant agreements due
- April 15th – Grant projects end, and reimbursement requests are due
FEMA Grants
Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
The Primary goal is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
2027 Timeline:
- May 19th – Application start date
- June 22nd – Application period closes
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
SAFER grants fund fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations directly to help them increase capacity in their communities.
Annual Timeline
- March 11th (8 AM ET) – Application start date
- April 12th (5 PM ET) – Application submission deadline
Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S)
Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards.
Annual Timeline
- March 11th (8 AM ET) – Application start date
- March 12th (5 PM ET) – Application submission deadline
Firehouse Subs Grant
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant
Their mission is to impact the lifesaving capabilities, and the lives of local hero’s and their communities. This is accomplished by providing lifesaving equipment and prevention education tools to fire responders and public safety organizations.
IMPORTANT: A maximum of 600 grant applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis. Once the maximum number of applications is met, the site will close for the remainder of the quarter. Apply early in order to secure your request.
IMPORTANT: Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation asks that applicants wait a minimum of three years before reapplying following a grant approval. The maximum dollar amount per request this quarter will be $45,000.
Grant award notifications, both approvals and denials, will be emailed prior to the portal reopening date each quarter.
Annual Timeline: All applications submitted prior to 10AM ET will not be considered.
- Quarter 3: April
- Quarter 4: July
- Quarter 1: October
Compeer Financial Grant
Emergency First Responder Grant
This grant’s goal is to support rural communities with funding for fire, rescue and ambulance emergency response equipment.
Annual Timeline
- April 15th- Application start date
- May 31st – Application submission deadline
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
EMS: Funding Assistance Program
The Funding Assistance Program (FAB) provides funding for qualified Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers.
Annual Timeline:
- The State Fiscal Year (FSY) FAP application closed end of September.
Union Pacific Grants
As part of the Community Ties Giving Program, Local Grants help Union Pacific achieve their mission by providing small and medium-sized grants to help prevent and prepare for incidents and emergencies in communities.
Annual Timeline
- April 1st, – Application start date
- April 30th, (3PM CT) – Application submission deadline
- August – Grant Award Status Notification
- September – Grant Award Checks Mailed/Presented
Department of Safety and Professional Services
Firefighter Training Grant Program
Designed to address recruitment and retention challenges in the Wisconsin fire service. The Department will award grants of up to $25,000 to qualified fire departments, tech colleges, or school districts to establish or expand youth firefighter recruitment and training programs for middle and high school age youth.
Annual Timeline
- Beginning of February – Announcement Released
- Beginning of March – Application Submission Deadline
- End of March – Anticipated Grant Award Announcement
- (Projected) Contract Start Date – Based on Proposal
- Grant End Date – One year from contract start date
WEMSA - Wisconsin EMS Association
Local, State and Federal government often provides funding for AEDs in the form of grants. The CPR Savers AED Grant Program does just that.
Gary Sinise Foundation
Grants to USA and territories emergency response providers for training and equipment. Eligible applications include paramedic or EMS departments, fire departments, and law enforcement departments. Priority will be given to volunteer departments as well as low and underfunded departments.
Annual Timeline
- Open all year around, 24/7/365.
- Grant applications are open for 6 months after the application is submitted.
The foundation does not provide feedback on the status of grants until either:
- Your grant is approved
- They have questions and reach out to the department
- Your application is denied after the 6-month review period
Professional Firefighter of Wisconsin - Charitable Foundation
The Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Foundation generally gives to smaller agencies with less than a $1M annual budget and tend to give to local needs in Wisconsin (generally do not fund out-of-state requests). Their vision is for all those who service to be healthy, safe, and supported in their lives and in their community.
PLEASE NOTE: You must be a registered non-profit to request a grant.
Annual Timeline
- Grant deadlines – March 1st, September 1st, & December 1st.
- All grant requests must be submitted electronically.
State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program
State Farm & National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Grant
State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are proud to team up for the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program to help resource-constrained volunteer fire departments secure needed equipment.
IMPORTANT: Departments must be over 50% volunteer; paid on-call is considered volunteer & must serve a population of $25,00 or less.
Nutella Stack for Giving Back
To help volunteer fire departments secure the necessities they need to best serve their communities, Nutella® has partnered with NVFC to award grants to local departments.
IMPORTANT: To be eligible, departments must have at least one active NVFC member.
Deadline is April 30th.