Best Search and Rescue Grants in South Carolina

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions in South Carolina can apply for CSX Foundation’s in-kind donations to support community first responders and military-focused programs. Support may include intermodal transportation services across the CSX rail network or donated railroad equipment and materials, helping reduce logistics costs for search and rescue and related public safety efforts.

South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association Grant

Foundation grants are awarded to assist individuals who experience tragedy or hardship due to circumstances beyond their control and demonstrate a financial or otherwise immediate need. The grants are available for those who experience natural disasters, home fires, medical emergency, act of terrorism or otherwise personal tragedy. Submit an application, letter from local Fire Chief and statistical information to the Association’s office in Columbia.

How much are grants? 

An individual may receive more than one grant. Each grant request will be evaluated separately. The Foundation will determine whether to award multiple grants based on all relevant factors, including the individual’s need and particular circumstances, the total amount of funds that the Foundation has available for grants, and the amount and needs of other applicants. The grant recipient may receive a minimum of $250 and maximum of $1,500 per grant awarded. 

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions in South Carolina serving veterans, active-duty military, or first responders can apply for CSX Foundation’s Pride in Service grants, awarding US $2,500 - US $25,000. Funding supports programs in safety, mental and emotional health, bridging community divides, workforce development, and financial assistance or food insecurity, which may benefit search and rescue operations.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local government entities in South Carolina that provide safety services or promote safe behavior can apply for Norfolk Southern Foundation’s Safety First Grant, awarding US $1,000 - US $15,000 for projects, programs, or operating support. First responder and community/public safety initiatives, including search and rescue efforts, may be competitive within Norfolk Southern’s 22-state network.

South Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations and school districts working on first responder programming or technology and engineering education can apply for grants up to US $50,000. Motorola Solutions Foundation prioritizes programs for underrepresented first responders and youth, including leadership development, mental wellness, safety and disaster preparedness training, robotics, and STEM workforce preparation.

First responder agencies and 501(c)(3) organizations partnering with them can receive up to US $5,000 for community engagement, youth programs, mental and behavioral health, family support, and emergency support activities in South Carolina and nationwide. First Responders Childrens Foundation supports first responder programs that benefit children and strengthen first responder–community relationships.

High school seniors nationwide whose parent or legal guardian is a full-time active first responder can receive US $2,500 - US $15,000 in scholarship support, including in South Carolina. Focused on academic scholarships, Electronic Security Association invites eligible students inspired by their parents’ service to apply through participating states or directly to ESA.

South Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations providing homelessness services can receive US $500 - US $100,000 in support for shelter, transitional housing, and supportive programs. The Indigo Hope Foundation prioritizes groups in the Upstate SC area, including those assisting veterans and first responders, and may benefit search and rescue-related agencies offering housing and support services.

High school seniors, college, and non-traditional students pursuing criminal justice or first responder programs can receive US $2,000 toward study at eligible U.S. colleges and universities. CommunityGiving provides this scholarship for students from specific Minnesota counties; South Carolina first responder students may look to it as a model when exploring similar support locally.

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 scholarship, with awards of more than US $500. Students interested in first responder or search and rescue–related safety careers may benefit from this one-time fall-semester support.

South Carolina first responder families seeking higher education support can access funding through the NRA Foundation Frontline Heroes Scholarship, which offers up to US $10,000 for one student annually. Eligible applicants are children of current, retired, disabled, or deceased full-time first responders or military personnel, and funds are paid directly to accredited colleges or universities.

South Carolina first responder students pursuing EMT, paramedic, or related training can access funding through the 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.

South Carolina first responder–focused education programs can access funding through the 2499 Line of Duty Scholarship, which supports graduating high school seniors pursuing college. Students must be from select Alabama counties, plan careers in the military or as first responders, or be children of military personnel or first responders, and meet academic requirements.

South Carolina first responder families seeking post-secondary education support can access funding through the North Georgia Community Foundation’s Deputy Patrick Mayfield Scholarship; awards US $500. Eligible applicants include first responders, or their children or spouses, who meet the minimum 2.5 GPA requirement and are based in North Georgia but may include those in nearby areas.

First responders and their spouses or children pursuing post-secondary education can receive scholarship support through the Flight Medic Phil Hart Scholarship, open to North Georgia applicants. North Georgia Community Foundation offers one US $500 award, which may benefit South Carolina search and rescue personnel who live or study in the eligible region.

South Carolina 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 offers this support to police, fire, EMS workers, and communications officers with at least a 2.5 GPA, which may benefit those in search and rescue roles.

First responders, or their children or spouses, pursuing post-secondary education may be eligible for this scholarship opportunity supporting first responder families, including those in South Carolina. Grants from North Georgia Community Foundation provide a US $750 award to one recipient in 2026; applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

South Carolina first responder families seeking higher education funding may be eligible for a college scholarship supporting police, fire, and EMS personnel. Through the North Georgia Community Foundation’s Coleman, Chambers & Rogers First Responders College Scholarship, current first responders in Gainesville-area jurisdictions and their children or grandchildren can receive US $1,200 toward accredited college, university, or vocational studies.

South Carolina first responder organizations and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Indigo Hope Foundation to support mental health, family services, training, and wellness programs, with awards from US $500 - US $100,000. Programs serving search and rescue or other first responders in the Upstate SC area that offer counseling, peer support, or resilience training may be eligible.

Troutville Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship Fund

Fund provides higher educational scholarship assistance to deserving students.

Amount

• $1,000+
• non-renewable

Hero Fund America Fund Seeks Applications for its First Responders Grant Round

Hero Fund America (HFA) Fund, a field-of-interest fund of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, is seeking applications for its First Responders Grant Round for programs, projects, and other needs that will support education, training, lifesaving equipment, and mental health of fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement agencies.

Hero Fund America Fund was founded in partnership with Hero Fund America by Garth Roberts of Sharon Springs, NY. Inspired by the selfless and heroic efforts of first responders during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, Roberts initiated the Provincetown First Responders Appreciation Month, honoring 45 Boston EMS paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dispatchers, and their families. The success of that project inspired the 2016 creation of Hero Fund America.

Since 2016, the fund has awarded more than 100 grants totaling over $123,000 to meet the needs of first responders across the nation.

“Grants awarded through the Hero Fund America Fund have helped departments improve their abilities to better serve and protect the civilian population,” said Roberts. “Hero Fund America remains firmly committed to raising both funding and awareness in support of the First Responder community.”

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.  

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.