First Responders Children’s Foundation is providing support to first responders, including volunteer firefighters and EMS providers, who are experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19. The Foundation is a Regional Partner of the ‘One World: Together at Home’ concert and was also featured in the ‘Fox Presents iHeart Living Room Concert for America.’
Financial support programs
To help first responder families who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation is offering the following assistance:
- Grants for first responders who have experienced financial hardship caused by COVID-19
- Funeral expenses for first responders who have died from COVID-19
- Community grants to public safety agencies affected by COVID-19
- College scholarships for children of first responders who have died or are disabled
In addition to the financial support programs, the Foundation has released two PSAs thanking first responders and raising awareness about how they protect the communities. One of the PSAs features the song ‘Underdog’ by Alicia Keys and the other PSA features ‘Rainbow’ by Kacey Musgraves.
First responder community
The Foundation will continue to produce PSAs and content from the front lines of the pandemic. They are asking first responders to post pictures and videos from the front lines and for civilians to share messages of appreciation.
In recent weeks, the Foundation has raised money for their COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund through generous donations from individuals and companies. As COVID-19 continues to infect communities across the nation, the need for grants within the first responder community continues to grow, and the Foundation has set a fundraising goal of $200 million to meet the projected needs of first responders.
Receiving grant applications
The Foundation has helped first responder families cover bills including when a spouse has lost a job"
“The Foundation has been receiving grant applications for financial assistance from first responders across this nation,” said Jillian Crane, president of First Responders Children’s Foundation. “Through generous donations, the Foundation has helped first responder families cover bills including when a spouse has lost a job, unexpected childcare costs, temporary housing, and sadly, funerals.”
Donors to the fund include Allstate Foundation, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Cisco, CSX, E&J Gallo, Fox, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Perry Ellis, PricewaterhouseCoopers, P&G, The Rite Aid Foundation, Ryan’s World, and Ryan Seacrest.
First responders can apply for grants by completing the application on the Foundation’s web site. Applications will be reviewed expeditiously. Grant applications are also available on the web site for first responder agencies seeking financial support for COVID-19 related emergency response.
