Grant Writing Resources

General Grant Writing Resources

Fire and Emergency Services Grant Writing Guide
The NVFC has developed this guide to help departments navigate the complexities of applying for federal grants. Since more requests are made for federal grants each year than there are funds available, it is extremely important to prepare the best grant application possible. Writing a compelling narrative and adhering to numerous rules and guidelines can often be challenging. This guide is designed to make the process less daunting and assist departments and their grant writers in preparing a competitive application for these important grant opportunities.

Grant Writing for the Emergency Services
This NVFC webinar educates volunteer fire and emergency services personnel on how to write a successful grant narrative in an effort to secure funding for their local fire/EMS department and provides specific examples of award-winning grant narratives. Participants are also introduced to a variety of funding opportunities, including government and private grants.  

FireGrantsHelp
FireGrantsHelp's mission is to provide firefighters and departments with a comprehensive resource for grant information and assistance. FireGrantsHelp features the most extensive fire grant database ever created, with a library of information not only for federal grant programs, but also state, local and corporate grant opportunities. FireGrantsHelp's free grant assistance program includes a number of options for departments seeking assistance in securing grant funding. Grant assistance is available by filling out a request form from one of the major Fire and EMS category segments. Once a department submits a form, there are three options for assistance: Informational Grant Package, Grant Review, and Grant Writing.

Cost Savings Calculators
The NVFC Foundation's Volunteer Fire and EMS Cost Savings Calculators allow departments to determine their financial value to the community, which can help make the case for funding requests as well as enhance the support of local government and the public.

AFG and SAFER Grant Writing Resources

The following resources are designed to help volunteer and combination departments prepare successful applications for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant programs.
 
The Idea Bank has provided sample grant proposals written by fire departments for the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant application. The narratives are available to view free of charge.
 
The NVFC partnered with Columbia Southern University (CSU) to release a video podcast of the NVFC’s Grant-Writing Workshop. Led by Jeff Cash, NVFC Second Vice Chair and Chief of the Cherryville (NC) Fire Department, the workshop goes through the steps for preparing grant applications and offers tips to improve the chance of success. CSU recorded the workshop at the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association convention in Myrtle Beach on July 18, 2009. The workshop is one in a series that the NVFC held thanks to support from the Department of Homeland Security.
 
The podcast is divided into two segments. Part 1 provides an overview of the grant-writing process, including where to find grant funding, tips for writing a grant application, and information on funding priorities and preparing applications for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which includes AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grants. Part 2 provides tips and information for writing a successful narrative for an AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grant application.
 
SAFER grants fund retention and recruitment efforts that can help volunteer fire departments thrive. The NVFC spoke with Victor Esch from the Grants Office to learn more about successful SAFER applications, ideas for SAFER-funded projects, and tips for securing funding for your department.
  
FireRescue1.com columnist Jerry Brant explains the SAFER grants program’s Recruitment and Retention Activity category and provides tips and advice to help departments secure the funding.
 
Success Stories
Read success stories of departments and organizations that have received AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grants. Access the success stories on the Members-Only section of this site.
  • If you are currently an NVFC member,  click here to log in and then choose Members-Only Resources to access the AFG, SAFER, and FP&S Success Stories.
  • If you are not currently an NVFC member, click here to learn about membership and join.