Gary Sinise Foundation First Responders Outreach Grant (Gary Sinise FRO)
Funds equipment and training for first responder agencies. The foundation prioritizes volunteer, low-funded, and underfunded departments. It does not cover building or operating costs.
Who it is for
Law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and paramedic or EMS departments in the United States. Priority goes to volunteer and underfunded departments.
Department types: Career, Volunteer, Combination, Any department
An honest note on fit
Good fit for a small or volunteer department needing specific equipment or training. It will not pay for facilities or operating costs, and an awarded department must wait a year before applying again.
Before you start
How you apply: Apply directly to the funder.
Apply directly to the foundation through its online application.
Match required: No match stated. Confirm current terms when you apply.
How to apply
- Review the grant guidelines on the foundation's First Responders Outreach page to confirm your request is equipment or training only.
- Prepare a clear description of the equipment or training and how it improves responder capability or safety.
- Submit the online application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Note the one-grant-per-year limit: departments that receive an award wait a year before reapplying.
Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing, rolling basis. Confirm current guidance on the program page. (Rolling, apply any time)
Funding: Awards are commonly in the low thousands, often around $5,000, with larger awards possible. Confirm current ranges on the program page.
Verified as of 2026-05-31. Programs are checked periodically against their official source. Funding details and deadlines change. Confirm the current requirements on the official program page before you apply.