One of the most important factors in obtaining money for your fire department is to write a grant that will get you the money your department needs.  Many fire departments believe that grants are only for volunteer departments.  They are local, state and federal fire departments as well. Fire grants can help you attain money for equipment, apparatus, training and supplies. Below, we are going to explain the best way to write a grant that will help you get the funds you deserve.

1. Outline the grant request requirements made by the funder. Some funders, such as the AFG site at firegrantsupport.com, help to identify what should be included in a fire grant. Writing an outline can help maintain your fire Grant’s focus and make your proposal more effective.
2. Begin with an executive summary that discusses your fire department, the amount of the request and how long you are requesting funding. Think of the executive summary as the outline for the funder, which invites the grant reviewer to read further and provides a synopsis of what you are asking for in the fire grant.
3. Write the narrative, which is often considered the most difficult part of a grant proposal application. However, it can be simplified if properly research and prepared. The narrative should cover areas such as success and needs of the department, and how the funding will improve your fire department’s ability to respond to emergency. Some basic rules to follow include answers about who you are, what the problem is, what the solution is and how much it will cost.
4. Define why you need the amount requested, and make sure it is supported in the narrative and by the itemized statement. List expenses and income, such as in-kind, matching grants and grants you are planning to apply for or are being considered for at the time of application. Funders may want a justification of all expenses listed on a grant request. Include financial information from the previous year in order to show that your fire department is fiscally responsible. If you were operating in the red the previous year, be sure to explain why and how you are planning to overcome this financial issue.
5. Review the application before submitting the proposal for a fire grant. If you were the one providing funding for an organization or fire department, consider what the organization might want answered. They would want to know why you need the money, what you are getting for it and what is the impact that it will make, not only on your department, but for the community as a whole.

Click Here to see an example of a fire deparment grant.

Fire Grant Tips & Warnings

Fire grants have prerequisites and requirements that must be met to be considered for funding. These differ by funder, and recognizing what the funder requires is essential to submitting a strong grant application.

It is not recommended to write your grant based on a grant template. Make the grant flow with your department and the reason the grant is needed. This will greatly increase the funding you need.