Financial Assistance

First Responders Children’s Foundation awards grants to individuals and to first responder agencies.

Individual grants support children whose first responders parents have lost their lives or sustained serious injuries in the line of duty. Agency grants support programs created by first responders to impact children and their communities.

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Agency Grants

Please review the following criteria to determine if your organization is eligible for our Agency Grant and best practices for applying.

What is the Agency Grant Application Process?

FRCF accepts Grant proposals throughout the year on a rolling basis. Agencies or Foundations interested in applying for an Agency Grant should:

- Review the FRCF mission statement, priority funding areas, past grant awardees, and website to make sure priorities align.

- Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Hannah@1strcf.org. The Letter of Intent should be a brief, one or two page, informative letter on agency/foundation letterhead that describes the organization’s mission and history and the work for which funds are being sought, along with a proposed budget and evidence of tax-exempt status (if applicable).

FRCF Grant Program Team & Grant Committee reviews the LOI.

You will hear back from the Grant Program Team within 30 days of submission with one of the following:
– A request to submit a full grant proposal.
– Suggestions on how to make the LOI more relevant to the mission of FRCF or recommendations of other possible partnerships with FRCF.
– A decision to not seek a grant proposal.

If a complete grant proposal is requested, you will have five weeks to complete this application.

FRCF will decide on your proposal within two-five weeks time.

Who is eligible to apply?

First Responders Children’s Foundation considers AGENCY GRANT proposals from the following:

- A First Responder Agency
  – A Department within a First Responder Agency
  – Or determined as charitable under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, public entities or other charitable, educational, or cultural organizations that operates as or has partnered with a First Responder Agency or Department.

- An entity that provides programs and services to benefit children and facilitates interaction between the children and a First Responder Agency.

For the purposes of this grant, FRCF does not fund:

Individuals (Multiple Individual Grant Applications can be found here)

Operating Support

What does the grant fund?

Successful grant proposals will align with the mission of First Responders Children’s Foundation.

The Foundation considers and funds proposals in the following areas:

Mental and Behavioral Health – $5,000 – $25,000

Grants for first responder agencies and non-profits that support mental and behavioral health activities, initiatives, and programs for first responders and their families.

Youth Education Activities and Programs – $1,000 – $5,000

Grants for first responder agencies and non-profits for activities, initiatives, and programs that pair youth with local first responders through arts, sports, education, or community service.

First Responder Family Support – $1,000 – $5,000

Grants for first responder agencies and non-profits for programs that support, honor, and elevate the profile of first responder families in need.

Emergency Support – $1,000 – $25,000

Grants for first responder agencies and non-profits for financial aid, food, equipment, and other necessary support during a crisis.

Community Engagement – $1,000 – $5,000

Grants for first responder agencies and non-profits that create programs for a safer Community and help to foster first responder/community relationships.

What criteria should proposals emphasize?

The program/project’s alignment with one of FRCF’s priority funding areas.

A significant demand affecting children of first responders or the children in the first responder agency’s community.

Evidence of careful planning to address community needs and access community resources.

The capacity to mobilize resources including financial support, in-kind support, and volunteers to sustain programs.

A reasonable, researched budget that aligns with the proposal narrative.

A comprehensive evaluation plan for the program/project.

What is the financial range of grants?

FRCF does not set a minimum or maximum amount for grant awards. Please see the funding categories for a guideline to our financial award range.

Is there a match requirement for funds received?

While there are no specific match requirements for funds received, FRCF encourages applicants to support their programs/ projects with additional funding and document this funding in the grant proposal.

Emergency Response Funds

First Responders Children’s Foundation is actively engaging public safety agencies to encourage First Responders who need financial assistance to apply for COVID-19 Emergency Response grants.

Men and women working as EMTs, police officers, firefighters and public safety personnel are putting themselves at risk daily in these uncertain times to serve and protect communities across the country.

The First Responders Children’s Foundation Emergency Response Fund will provide access to emergency financial assistance for unforeseen medical expenses as well as food, supplies, rent, mortgage, utility and child care assistance. The fund is designed to be flexible and to address additional areas of support as they develop within the first responder community.

The First Responders Children’s Foundation Emergency Response Fund is supported through corporate partnerships and individual donations to the foundation’s First Responders Strong fundraising campaign launched today. CSX, a premier transportation company, is the first corporate partner to commit to the fund through the company’s Pride in Service initiative.

100% of proceeds will provide financial aid to first responders protecting our communities.

Say thank you to our First Responders using the hashtag using the hashtag #FirstRespondersStrong or donating just $1 to help raise $2.8 million in tribute to each of our nation’s estimated 2.8 million first responders.

Individual Financial Assistance

The Individual Financial Hardship Grant is designed for first responders who are in dire need of financial assistance related to housing distress, extenuating childcare/eldercare expenses, and medical and/or mental health expenses related to your position.

Please note:

Please submit the following information:

100% of proceeds will provide financial aid to first responders protecting our communities.

Applications are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Applicants must reside in the United States. First Responders Children’s Foundation officers, committee members, employees, and members of their immediate families are not eligible. For questions, call (646) 822-4236 or email Info@1stRCF.org.

Any questions regarding the grant?

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The success of our programs is only possible with the generous support of donors like you.

There is no greater way of demonstrating respect and appreciation for your community than by supporting our first responders on the front lines.

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