Fire Prevention Grants

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is one of the sponsors of fire prevention grants. The goal of these grants is to decrease deaths and injuries related to fire by targeting at-risk populations. According to FireGrantsHelp.com, the allocation for 2009 is $35 million for fire prevention and safety grants from FEMA. For-profit organizations are not qualified to apply for these grants.

Who can receive these grants?

• Federal, state, local and community action groups are eligible to apply for this funding. Any organization that supports fire prevention and efforts to control fires, which includes prevention of arson, training programs and learning about fire prevention, is also applicable. On the FEMA.gov website, the following agencies are welcome to apply: academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, individual researchers, and private as well as public nonprofit community groups.

Application process through FEMA

• The application process is considered highly competitive. Awards are given based on the ability to explain programs that will show fire prevention safety and priorities, while including very telling justification for receiving these funds. If an applicant meets all these criteria, the organization or applicant is then judged by a panel of fire service workers.
  An application tutorial is available at FireGrantSupport.com, and you can speak with someone by calling [phone].

Other funders:

• Other charitable organizations and foundations offer Fire Prevention Grants. Wal-Mart has a fire prevention fund that gives out about $2,000 per project.
  Fireman's Fund Heritage is a national, community-based organization with a philanthropic mission to support firefighters working toward safer communities.
  Another charitable institution is the FM Global Foundation, which appropriates about $5,000 per department.
  State forestry, fire marshal and bureau of land departments also grant money for fire prevention and education.

What can you apply for through FEMA?

• You are allowed to apply for up to three projects, which include anything from smoke alarms to wildfire prevention. The maximum award is $1 million. According to FEMA, applicants who are working toward prevention of childhood injury may be given an advantage because of new legislation geared to saving children's lives specific to fire safety.