The Leary Firefighters Foundation Grant

The Leary Firefighters Foundation (LFF) offers grant funding to support the critical needs of fire departments across the United States through its Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program. As a private philanthropic organization, the Foundation focuses its efforts on enhancing the operational capabilities of both paid and volunteer fire departments. With a mission grounded in service and support to first responders, LFF seeks to address the urgent needs of fire departments that face budgetary limitations while striving to protect their communities. The Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program funds three primary categories: training, equipment, and technology. Training grants are aimed at professional development and ensuring that firefighters remain up to date with the latest knowledge and skills required for their roles. Equipment grants support the acquisition of advanced gear necessary for maintaining safety and effectiveness in emergency response. Technology grants are directed toward modernizing fire departments, enabling them to keep pace with evolving tools and systems that enhance operational efficiency and public safety outcomes. LFF typically provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. On occasion, larger grants may be awarded depending on the scope and significance of the request. While the Foundation does not prescribe a specific funding level that applicants must request, departments are encouraged to submit proposals that reflect their actual needs and provide a compelling rationale for how the funding would benefit their personnel and the communities they serve. Importantly, LFF does not award grants to individuals; all applicants must represent fire departments within the United States. To be considered for funding, applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the Foundation’s grant portal at LFFgrants.smapply.io. The LOI must include key details about the department—such as its name, location, whether it is paid or volunteer, department size, and the population it serves—as well as a summary of the grant request. Applicants should describe the type and value of the request, the purpose and timeline for its use, the reasoning behind the request, and any efforts already made to secure similar resources through other means. Contact information for the department head, including name, rank, phone number, and email address, must also be included. The grant cycle follows a defined annual timeline. The portal for Letters of Inquiry opens on May 1 and submissions are due by August 15. Departments selected to move forward will receive further instructions on submitting a full application. The Foundation does not specify award notification dates, but applicants will be contacted directly if selected for the next phase. For further assistance or questions, applicants may contact the Foundation via email at grants@learyfirefighters.org or by phone at 212-867-1527. The Foundation’s mailing address is 33 Park Place Box 243, New York, NY, 10007. Additional updates and information can be found through the Foundation’s social media channels and newsletter.

Applicants are encouraged to ask for what they need and explain how the grant will benefit their department and community.