First responder grants program

The 2026 First Responder Grants Program is an initiative of the Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF), launched in partnership with the Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA). This microgrant program is designed to support the vital operations of first responder organizations serving communities within specific Colorado counties. Recognizing the challenges faced by emergency service providers, the program provides direct funding to support their work in fire suppression, emergency medical response, police services, search and rescue operations, and other dispatched emergency interventions. The program offers grants of up to $1,000 per approved application, with a total of $5,000 allocated for the 2026 funding cycle. Applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis, starting January 26, 2026, and continuing until funds are depleted. Interested applicants must apply through the CCCF grant portal. Once an application is approved, CCCF will issue a grant agreement, and funds will be disbursed within 10 days of receiving the signed documentation. In rare cases or appeals, applications may be forwarded to the Grants Committee for final review. To be eligible, organizations must provide active first responder services in one or more of the following counties: Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, or Saguache. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) organizations, as well as faith-based and government entities. Services must include direct emergency response activities, such as fire, EMS, or law enforcement. Grants are restricted to specific uses detailed in the application, and all funds must be used within 12 months of receipt. The program places strict requirements on the use of funds. Eligible expenses include gear, equipment, training, and materials directly related to first responder functions. Ineligible entities include political organizations, social clubs, or any organization that prohibits participation based on religion or has conflicts of interest with the donor. All applicants must remain compliant with applicable federal and state regulations regarding the use of private foundation funding. Applicants must submit clear descriptions of the intended use of the requested funds. All awarded grants are restricted to the use described in the application. Additionally, recipients must submit a brief grant report within one year of the award to confirm how the funds were used. Organizations with outstanding reports from the 2025 cycle or other CCCF-managed grant programs will not be considered until reporting obligations are met. Questions about the program can be directed to the CCCF grants email address, with a typical response time of up to three business days.

Applications should clearly describe the purpose of the request and be limited to direct first responder needs.