Leary Firefighters Foundation Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program (Leary (LFF))
Funds training, equipment, and technology for fire departments. The foundation looks for departments that have already started solving a problem and want a partner to finish it. It does not fund building or operating costs.
Who it is for
Paid and volunteer fire departments in the United States. The foundation does not make grants to individuals.
Department types: Career, Volunteer, Combination
An honest note on fit
Best fit for a department that can show it is a proactive problem solver and wants a partner on a training, equipment, or technology project. It will not cover building or operating costs, and the foundation receives far more requests than it can fund, so a clear, specific ask matters.
Before you start
How you apply: Apply directly to the funder.
Apply directly through the foundation's online grants portal, starting with a short Letter of Inquiry.
Match required: No match stated. Confirm current terms when you apply.
How to apply
- Wait for the Letter of Inquiry portal to open, usually around May 1.
- Submit a Letter of Inquiry through the LFF grants portal describing your department and the project, and show what you have already done to address the problem.
- Submit the Letter of Inquiry by the August 15 deadline. Inquiries after that date are held for the next calendar year.
- If invited, complete the full application by the foundation's follow-up deadline (historically around October 1).
- Decisions are generally communicated by mid-November.
Deadline: Annual calendar-year cycle. Letter of Inquiry portal opens around May 1 and closes August 15. Emergency requests after disasters are considered on a rolling basis. Confirm current dates on the portal. (Annual cycle)
Funding: Grants typically range from about $2,500 to $25,000, with occasional larger awards.
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.