Best Grants for First Responders in Colorado

Canvas Foundation

Canvas Foundation is made up of volunteers from across Canvas Credit Union who give their time, knowledge, and heart to further our goals. We are a fully independent 501(c)(3) non-profit. Most importantly: we're you. Your neighbors, your friends, your community.

Canvas Foundation Grants

Are you a local 501(c)(3) organization supporting Colorado schools, families, military members, or first responders? If so, we invite you to apply for a grant from Canvas Foundation. We'd love to learn about your mission and the impact you're making in your community.

Schools, Families, Military, and First Responders

Our goal is to support and nurture these critical areas and leave a lasting footprint in our communities. We achieve that by providing financial grants, charitable activities and programs that reflect the communities we serve. These funds are intended to create long-term relationships between Canvas Foundation and the recipients so we can create thriving communities together.

Guidelines and Considerations

• Only one application per organization per year.
• Clearly presented goals and descriptions for how funds will be used to benefit one of our four pillars
• Challenge or matching grants may occasionally be approved, but not during or leading up to Colorado Gives Day
• We request a summary report within 90-days of receiving funds that details your results and any impact stories that we can share with our donors

Colorado first responder agencies and government-related organizations can seek support for community safety, disaster preparedness, and emergency response projects. Marathon Petroleum provides U.S.-incorporated 501(c)(3) and eligible government entities with charitable contributions focused on workforce development, sustainability, and thriving communities, with preference for areas where the company has significant operations, including Colorado.

High school seniors nationwide whose parent or legal guardian is a full-time active first responder can apply for the ESA Youth Scholarship Program, with awards ranging from US $2,500 - US $15,000. Focused on supporting first responder families, Electronic Security Association invites eligible Colorado students to apply through their participating state or directly to ESA.

High school seniors, college, and non-traditional students pursuing criminal justice or first responder programs (police, fire, EMT) can receive scholarship support through CommunityGiving’s Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship. Eligible applicants must be from Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota, attend approved schools, and may find this relevant if connected to Colorado first responder networks.

Graduating high school seniors in northwest Missouri pursuing degrees in occupational safety, health, industrial hygiene, environmental safety, industrial fire prevention, risk management, or occupational medicine can apply for the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri’s Midland Empire Safety Association Scholarship, offering more than US $500. Students interested in future first responder or safety-related careers may benefit from this one-time award.

Colorado first responder families seeking higher education support can access funding through the NRA Foundation Frontline Heroes Scholarship, which offers up to US $10,000. Eligible applicants are children of full-time first responders or military personnel with strong academics and service records, attending accredited nonprofit colleges or universities in the U.S.

Colorado first responder students pursuing EMT, paramedic, or related training can access funding through Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies’ Gilbert “Gibby” Buerk Memorial Scholarship. Elk County and surrounding area high school seniors and non-traditional students who are active in their communities and demonstrate financial need may be eligible.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing careers as first responders or in the military, or who are children of military personnel or first responders, can receive college funding through the 2499 Line of Duty Scholarship. Students from Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, or Montgomery Counties may benefit, including those interested in serving Colorado communities in the future.

Colorado first responders and their spouses or children pursuing post-secondary education may be eligible for a US $500 academic scholarship through the Deputy Patrick Mayfield Scholarship. North Georgia Community Foundation offers this one-time award to police, fire, EMS workers, and communications officers with at least a 2.5 GPA or their immediate family members.

First responders, their spouses, or children pursuing post-secondary education may be eligible for a US $500 scholarship supporting higher education, though the award is designated for a North Georgia First Responder family. North Georgia Community Foundation’s Flight Medic Phil Hart Scholarship may still interest Colorado first responder families with ties to North Georgia.

Colorado first responders and their spouses or children pursuing post-secondary education may be eligible for the Fire-Medic Tim Peebles Scholarship, a US $500 award. North Georgia Community Foundation supports higher education for police, fire, EMS workers, and communications officers who meet the minimum 2.5 GPA requirement and are based in North Georgia.

First responders, or their children or spouses, pursuing post-secondary education may be eligible for a US $750 scholarship, including those in Colorado. Grants from North Georgia Community Foundation support higher education for police, fire, EMS workers, and communications officers through the Deputy Nicolas Dixon Scholarship.

Colorado first responders, along with their children and grandchildren, planning to attend college or vocational school may be eligible for this higher education scholarship, which awards US $1,200. Gainesville and Hall County, Georgia first responder families can access funding through North Georgia Community Foundation to support tuition at accredited institutions.

Graduating high school seniors in Botetourt County planning higher education in first responder, fire, emergency management, EMS, or related fields can receive approximately US $1,000 in non-renewable scholarship support. The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia funds tuition at accredited colleges, universities, or trade schools; Colorado first responder–focused students may review details to confirm fit.

Volunteer fire departments, volunteer EMS agencies, and small law enforcement agencies seeking funding for training, education, lifesaving equipment, or mental health support across the U.S., including Colorado, may be eligible. Grants from The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties provide up to US $1,500 through the Hero Fund America First Responders Grant Round.

James B. Murphy Firefighter of the Year

The Firefighter of the Year award is an annual award bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies the characteristics of a firefighter with an outstanding record of fire service achievements. Firefighter characteristics are not restricted to heroic action but encompass all aspects of a productive, dedicated and professional service at all levels. 

If heroic action is one of the reasons that the individual is being nominated, the Subcommittee on Awards for the Executive Committee must find no hard evidence that the individual was in violation of generally accepted safety standards at the time of the action. Such standards include, but are not limited to, abstinence from the influence of alcohol or drugs, the use of applicable protective equipment such as protective clothing and breathing apparatus, and adherence to accepted operating procedures, where these criteria were applicable at the time of the action.

The Meritorious Award, presented by the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, honors firefighters or fire departments that exceed normal duties to save lives. Nominations must come from Association members, approved by a fire chief or designee. Candidates are recognized for their vigilance and professionalism, while any safety standards violations disqualify nominations. This award reflects our commitment to recognizing extraordinary bravery within the fire service community.

Brad Keselowskis Checkered Flag Foundation (BKCFF)

Brad Keselowski is a co-owner of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, where he drives the #6 Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. Off-track, Brad is the sole owner and founder of Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing as well as Brad Keselowskis Checkered Flag Foundation's president and founder. 

In 2009, Brad visited Walter Reed Medical Center, where he became inspired to give back to the men and women that answered the call to serve our country and were injured in the line of duty. Consequently, he founded BKCFF in 2010 with the mission to honor and assist those who serve. Since its founding, BKCFF has raised upright of $3.8 million to serve this mission.  

Brad Keselowskis Checkered Flag Foundation Grant Program

BKCFF was established to support those who are suffering financial, medical, or other hardship resulting from service to the United States or communities within. Funding decisions are made through an equitable and comprehensive application process, with financial support directed to 501(c)(3) public charities that provide services to our target constituents.

The purpose of the grant program is to empower and give hope to our nation’s heroes: military professionals, veterans, first responders, and others who provide courageous service and sacrifice. BKCFF requires all organizations seeking a grant to complete a comprehensive application, which is available on the Foundation’s website or can be requested by contacting the Foundation directly.  

About QuikTripQuikTrip believes in investing in the communities in which our employees live and work. Every year, QuikTrip donates 5% of our annual net profit to qualified 501c3 non-profit agencies, which includes our United Way campaign match, support for National Safe Place agencies, Folds of Honor scholarships and many other agencies that support at-risk youth and early childhood education.Mission: To wisely invest dollars in community efforts that will help impact (in measurable terms) individuals in our society who are dependent on the charitable support of others. We believe the most effective way to do that is to invest our contribution dollars and volunteers in strategic efforts that help those at risk reach their functional capacity as successful, independent citizens.About QuikTrip Charitable GrantsQuikTrip funds 501c3 agencies located in the cities in which we have stores and our employees live and work. Funding can include: “in-kind” products (coupons, gift cards or product donation), formal grants, fundraiser/event sponsorships and employee volunteer time.Focus Areas:

• Creating Safe Communities
  • First Responders: QuikTrip is proud to partner with law enforcement and first responders in every market we serve, making sure that they have the tools, training and support they need to keep our communities safe and to return home safely to their families after each shift.
  • Homeless Outreach & Alternatives to Police Response: To significantly reduce non-emergency calls and help people in crisis get back on their feet, QuikTrip funds dedicated homeless outreach teams across our communities. These teams engage individuals experiencing homelessness and living in encampments – connecting people to services, shelter, detox and long-term care.

• Creating Strong Communities
  • Ending Homelessness: We support emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing, diversion and prevention programs, and more.
  • Mental Health & Substance Abuse : We know that healthy communities are safe communities, which is why we invest in detox and substance abuse treatment centers, and behavioral health centers and services to end the perpetuation of cycles of trauma and addiction.
  • At-Risk Youth: We especially prioritize services for at-risk youth – those aging out of foster care, justice-involved or without stable support systems.
• Additional Community Commitments
  • United Way: Employee donation matching in all markets.
  • Folds of Honor: Scholarships for families of fallen or wounded service members and first responders.
  • National Safe Place: QT stores serve as Safe Place locations for youth in crisis, with trained staff ready to assist.

The State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program, administered by the US Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Coast Guard, aims to enhance safety and enjoyment on America's waterways. This federal program provides grants to designated state agencies to reduce boating accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Although not open to the public, it plays a critical role in ensuring safe recreational boating experiences by implementing effective safety measures, thereby promoting public welfare and environmental protection.

Colorado first responder and public safety 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation for safety, disaster preparedness, and community protection projects. Eligible programs must primarily serve Colorado communities along the Union Pacific rail network and align with priority areas such as emergency response readiness, crime prevention, community safety infrastructure, or related workforce development and environmental resilience efforts.

Colorado 501(c)(3) organizations and school districts can access Motorola Solutions Foundation grants to support first responder programming and technology or engineering education, with awards up to US $50,000. Funding prioritizes underrepresented and underserved populations, especially people of color and women, and supports data-driven programs that build safer communities and public safety career pathways.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grants aim to enhance the life-saving capabilities of public safety organizations. Established in 2005, the foundation supports funding for life-saving equipment, prevention education, scholarships, and disaster relief initiatives. Eligible applicants include public safety entities located within 60 miles of a Firehouse Subs restaurant. This program emphasizes early application submission, as only a limited number of applications are accepted quarterly.

The Public Health Laboratory Fellowship Program, supported by the Association of Public Health Laboratories, develops future public health scientists through experiential learning in laboratory science. Participants receive training aligned with core competencies and work on impactful projects in various focus areas such as bioinformatics, food safety, and infectious disease. With flexible terms and potential for extension, this fellowship ensures a robust foundation for a career in public health laboratory science.

The Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation, established in 2022, is dedicated to enhancing lives in rural Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado through grants exceeding $10,000. It supports nonprofits and government entities focused on food, shelter, healthcare, education, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes local initiatives that enrich communities and improve access to essential services, while maintaining a commitment to assisting veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities.

The First Responders Children's Foundation Scholarship Fund offers college scholarships to children of first responders, emphasizing financial need and academic merit. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, provide a current transcript, and demonstrate community involvement. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years based on eligibility criteria. Preference is given to students whose parents have experienced line-of-duty disabilities or deaths. This program supports the educational aspirations of those who have sacrificed for their communities.

The Enbridge Safe Community First Responder Program is designed to support emergency response organizations across Canada and the U.S. by providing grants for safety equipment, training, and educational programs. Launched in 2002, it has invested over $22 million in enhancing community safety. Eligible organizations include fire departments and medical services located near Enbridge operations. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, helping improve the capabilities of first responders in rural and underserved areas.