Best Grants for Fire Departments in Virginia

With a mission to improve the criminal justice system, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services provides Virginia first responder agencies with one-time funding to trade in and replace certain unmanned aircraft (drones). Local fire departments, ambulance services, law enforcement, and other first responders may receive up to US $25,000 to replace eligible drones.

Fire departments and community organizations in Virginia can seek funding for wildfire risk reduction and hazard mitigation projects in wildland/urban interface areas. Virginia Department of Forestry supports firefighting and fire prevention through activities like community wildfire assessments, fuel reduction, firebreaks, defensible space treatments, water source improvements, signage, education materials, and related contracted services; all grants require an 80-20 match.

Virginia agricultural and forest producers seeking to improve land stewardship, soil health, and habitat can apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program, which offers annual payments for conservation practices on working lands. Focused on land and resource conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Virginia invites operations, including those with fire management and fire ecology concerns, to enhance existing efforts through customized five-year contracts.

Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving rural communities with fire, ambulance, or first responder services can apply for Land O'Lakes Foundation region grants, with awards of US $1,000 - US $20,000. Focused on community vitality, funding can support local firefighting, emergency response, and related community improvement projects in eligible dairy member-owner areas.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Virginia working on health, hunger relief, or support for everyday heroes can apply for more than US $2,500 from Wawa Foundation. Funding supports hospitals (especially pediatric), hunger relief programs, and initiatives for military, veterans, first responders, at-risk youth, and crisis response, including eligible firefighting and emergency services organizations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) fire departments and emergency service organizations in Virginia can receive up to US $2,500 for firefighting, fire prevention, and related “Everyday Heroes” needs. Wawa Foundation provides local connection grants supporting health, hunger, and first responder programs in its six-state service area, with rolling consideration while annual funds remain available.

Grants to Virginia counties, cities, and incorporated towns support firefighter training, equipment, and facilities, plus fire prevention and public safety education. Grants from Virginia Department of Fire Programs help Virginia fire departments and local governments fund emergency medical equipment, personnel training costs, protective gear, vehicles, and cancer-reduction systems through the population-based Aid to Localities program.

Rural volunteer fire departments in Virginia can obtain 50% cost-share reimbursement to purchase PPE, tools, and equipment through this program. Grants from Virginia Department of Forestry help Virginia firefighting and fire prevention agencies upgrade critical gear, with funding limited to items costing $5,000 or less per piece.

Virginia fire departments and Virginia-based nonprofits hosting training events can receive funding for firefighter training, conferences, and public safety education in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs supports professional development seminars and courses that build the skills of volunteer and career fire and emergency services personnel across the commonwealth.

Fire departments, other first responder agencies, and eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Virginia can apply for CSX Pride in Service grants to support veterans, active military, and first responders. Focus areas include safety, mental and emotional health, bridging community divides, workforce development, and financial assistance or food insecurity, with awards ranging from US $2,500 - US $25,000.

Virginia fire departments, first responder agencies, schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access in-kind transportation and donated railroad equipment through CSX Foundation’s charitable investments. Organizations serving communities in CSX’s Virginia service area may receive intermodal freight moves or available railroad materials to reduce costs and support community safety and service efforts.

Students pursuing fire science or law enforcement careers in Siskiyou County can receive scholarship support for college or College of the Siskiyous programs. Community Foundation of the North State’s Matt Solus Memorial Scholarship Fund helps eligible applicants with at least a 2.5 GPA advance their education, which may benefit future firefighters and fire departments, including those in Virginia seeking trained personnel.

Current or former Boy Scouts pursuing higher education for fire service or emergency medical service careers can receive scholarship support, including students in Virginia. Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley provides U.S. fire and EMS career-focused students with about US $1,000, typically as a one-year, non-renewable or multi-year renewable scholarship, depending on fund criteria.

High school seniors planning to study law enforcement at a two- or four-year college can receive up to US $500 for higher education, if they reside in eligible Minnesota counties. With a mission to strengthen local communities, CommunityGiving provides this scholarship, which may benefit future first responders connected to firefighting and public safety careers beyond Virginia.

Dependent students of local, county, state, or federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, or paramedics in Virginia can apply for CommunityGiving’s Brian Klinefelter Family Scholarship; awards up to US $1,000 for two- or four-year college costs. This academic scholarship may benefit families connected to fire departments and emergency services.

Students in Virginia pursuing training or degrees as firefighters, police officers, or emergency medical providers can receive up to US $5,000 for tuition, fees, books, and on-campus housing costs. Grants from John Randolph Foundation help eligible residents of Prince George County, the Enon District of Chesterfield County, or Varina advance firefighting and first responder careers.

John Randolph Foundation provides Virginia fire service students with up to US $1,000 for tuition, fees, books, and on-campus housing costs at higher education institutions. Prince George County residents, especially volunteers or dependents connected to Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department or county emergency services, and those pursuing medical, firefighting, or emergency services training may be prioritized.

Individuals pursuing fire science or public safety training and education who live in Spearfish, SD can apply for the Spearfish Volunteer Firefighters' Association Scholarship to support their studies. This South Dakota Community Foundation scholarship may benefit those preparing for firefighting or fire prevention careers, including applicants interested in serving departments like those in Virginia.

Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations. 

Each year, Cumberland Community Foundation announces more than $1,000,000 in college scholarships to students from southeastern North Carolina.

Fayetteville Firefighters Scholarship

Must be both an active uniform Fayetteville firefighter and planning to attend accredited college/university within 6 months.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Vernon “Butch” Gudat Scholarship Fund

The Vernon “Butch” Gudat Scholarship Fund was established to create a living legacy in memory of Peoria Fire Captain Vernon “Butch” Gudat. College scholarships are provided to qualifying children and grandchildren of career and volunteer firefighters in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties.

Troutville Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship Fund

Fund provides higher educational scholarship assistance to deserving students.

Amount

• $1,000+
• non-renewable

Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund

For a high school senior from Central Noble, East Noble, Wawasee, West Noble or homeschool (homeschooled student must live in Noble County) who will be pursuing advanced education in emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Awards Per Year:

• 1 scholarship

Applicant High School:

• Central Noble, East Noble, Homeschooled, Wawasee, West Noble

Colleges:

• Any accredited college or university

Areas of Study:

• Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Services, Emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Mission & Vision

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission:

We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Our Vision:

We envision a Greater Rochester region transformed by enduring philanthropy, where every person, neighborhood, and future generation can thrive.

John W. Burandt Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide support for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with post-secondary education for dependents of firefighters residing in the city of Rochester, NY.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $2,000; paid in the Fall and and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Donor Information

This scholarship was established by Mrs. Lorene (Rene) Burandt in honor of her husband, John W. Burandt, a dedicated firefighter who served the Rochester community for 30 years.

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.

The Bureau of Land Management's Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP) aims to enhance the native seed supply chain, crucial for restoring resilient public lands. By collaborating with various partners, PCRP seeks to improve rangeland health, restore wildlife habitats, and create job opportunities. In 2026, the focus will be on local seed collections, supporting farmers entering the native seed market, and developing innovative technologies to ensure effective restoration outcomes and ecological resilience.

Fire departments and other first responder or STEM-focused 501(c)(3) organizations and school districts in Virginia can seek funding for first responder training, safety and disaster preparedness education, or technology and engineering programs. With a mission to create safer cities and thriving communities, Motorola Solutions Foundation provides grants up to US $50,000 across North America, prioritizing underrepresented groups.