First Responders Children’s Foundation Provides Support to Firefighters and EMS Providers

April 28, 2020

First Responders Children’s Foundation is providing support to first responders, including volunteer firefighters and EMS providers, who are experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19. The Foundation is a Regional Partner of the “One World: Together at Home” concert and was also featured in the “Fox Presents iHeart Living Room Concert for America.”

To help first responder families who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation is offering the following assistance:

  • Grants for first responders who have experienced financial hardship caused by COVID-19
  • Funeral expenses for first responders who have died from COVID-19
  • Community grants to public safety agencies affected by COVID-19
  • College scholarships for children of first responders who have died or are disabled

Learn more about these programs and apply here.

In addition to the financial support programs, the Foundation has released two PSAs thanking first responders and raising awareness about how they protect our communities. One of the PSAs features the song “Underdog” by Alicia Keys and the other PSA features “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves.

The Foundation will continue to produce PSAs and content from the front lines of the pandemic. They are asking first responders to post pictures and videos from the front lines and for civilians to share messages of appreciation using the hashtag #FirstRespondersStrong.

In recent weeks, the Foundation has raised money for their COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund through generous donations from individuals and companies. As COVID-19 continues to infect communities across the nation, the need for grants within the first responder community continues to grow, and the Foundation has set a fundraising goal of $200 million to meet the projected needs of first responders.

“The Foundation has been receiving grant applications for financial assistance from first responders across this nation,” said Jillian Crane, president of First Responders Children’s Foundation. “Through generous donations, the Foundation has helped first responder families cover bills including when a spouse has lost a job, unexpected childcare costs, temporary housing, and sadly, funerals.”

Donors to the fund include Allstate Foundation, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Cisco, CSX, E&J Gallo, Fox, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Perry Ellis, PricewaterhouseCoopers, P&G, The Rite Aid Foundation, Ryan’s World, and Ryan Seacrest.

First responders can apply for grants by completing the application on the Foundation’s web site at 1stRCF.org. Applications will be reviewed expeditiously. Grant applications are also available on the web site for first responder agencies seeking financial support for COVID-19 related emergency response.

About First Responders Children’s Foundation
For the past 20 years, First Responders Children’s Foundation has been providing college scholarships to children of first responders who have lost a parent in the line of duty. The Foundation also awards grants to families enduring significant financial hardship and supports programs operated by law enforcement organizations whose purpose is to benefit children or the community in which they live. The Foundation’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade breakfast hosts children and family members of those lost in the line of duty for a free breakfast and front-row view of the Parade so those families can gather and heal during what might otherwise be a stressful holiday. More information can be found at www.1stRCF.org.