Financial Assistance

Our program honors the sacrifices first responder families make by extending a financial lifeline when misfortune strikes.

First Responders Children’s Foundation awards Emergency Hardship Grants to first responders in dire financial need.

Life can take unexpected turns, and the heroes who show up to save us are not immune from misfortune. Unforeseeable events such as a child’s unexpected health issues, emergency household bills and unanticipated childcare needs can take a financial toll on first responder families. The resulting financial hardships all too often affect children the most.

These grants support first responders or children whose first responders parents have lost their lives or experience circumstances outside of their control.

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Please note that the Hurricane Ian Disaster Response Fund is currently not accepting applications.

Emergency Hardship Grant

FRCF awards one-time emergency grants to first responder families faced with these unanticipated circumstances. Hardship program funds cover expenses associated with child-care emergencies, expenses related to a child’s sudden illness or housing insecurity due to circumstantial events such as fires or pandemics.

As the COVID-19 pandemic showed us, we live in a world where large-scale, nationwide emergencies are more and more likely, adversely impacting first responders. In addition to supporting those currently in need, this program can help ensure our heroes and their families are supported when the next large-scale emergency happens.

The Emergency Hardship Grant is a one-time award of up to $2,500. It is designed for first responders in dire financial need due to unforeseen child-care emergencies or who are facing housing insecurity due to fire, natural disasters, or other circumstances outside their control.

This grant may also assist families in financial need who have experienced the loss of a first responder that is not line of duty-related. Please note that the Emergency Hardship Grant Fund is limited and only applications most aligned with the mission of the Foundation will be considered by the Emergency Hardship Grant committee.

The Individual Financial Hardship Grant is designed for first responders who are in dire need of financial assistance related to housing distress, extenuating childcare/eldercare expenses, and medical and/or mental health expenses related to your position.

Please note:
Men and women working as EMTs, police officers, firefighters and public safety personnel are putting themselves at risk daily in these uncertain times to serve and protect communities across the country.
Please submit the following information:

The First Responders Children’s Foundation Emergency Response Fund will provide access to emergency financial assistance for unforeseen medical expenses as well as food, supplies, rent, mortgage, utility and child care assistance. The fund is designed to be flexible and to address additional areas of support as they develop within the first responder community.


The First Responders Children’s Foundation Emergency Response Fund is supported through corporate partnerships and individual donations to the foundation’s First Responders Strong fundraising campaign launched today. CSX, a premier transportation company, is the first corporate partner to commit to the fund through the company’s Pride in Service initiative.

100% of proceeds will provide financial aid to first responders protecting our communities.

Emergency Response Funds

First Responders Children’s Foundation is actively engaging public safety agencies to encourage First Responders who need financial assistance to apply for COVID-19 Emergency Response grants.

Men and women working as EMTs, police officers, firefighters and public safety personnel are putting themselves at risk daily in these uncertain times to serve and protect communities across the country.
The First Responders Children’s Foundation Emergency Response Fund will provide access to emergency financial assistance for unforeseen medical expenses as well as food, supplies, rent, mortgage, utility and child care assistance. The fund is designed to be flexible and to address additional areas of support as they develop within the first responder community.

The First Responders Children’s Foundation Emergency Response Fund is supported through corporate partnerships and individual donations to the foundation’s First Responders Strong fundraising campaign launched today. CSX, a premier transportation company, is the first corporate partner to commit to the fund through the company’s Pride in Service initiative.
100% of proceeds will provide financial aid to first responders protecting our communities.
Men and women working as EMTs, police officers, firefighters and public safety personnel are putting themselves at risk daily in these uncertain times to serve and protect communities across the country.

Say thank you to our First Responders using the hashtag using the hashtag #FirstRespondersStrong or donating just $1 to help raise $2.8 million in tribute to each of our nation’s estimated 2.8 million first responders.

Individual Financial Assistance

The Individual Financial Hardship Grant is designed for first responders who are in dire need of financial assistance related to housing distress, extenuating childcare/eldercare expenses, and medical and/or mental health expenses related to your position.

Please note:
Men and women working as EMTs, police officers, firefighters and public safety personnel are putting themselves at risk daily in these uncertain times to serve and protect communities across the country.
Please submit the following information:

The First Responders Children’s Foundation Emergency Response Fund will provide access to emergency financial assistance for unforeseen medical expenses as well as food, supplies, rent, mortgage, utility and child care assistance. The fund is designed to be flexible and to address additional areas of support as they develop within the first responder community.


The First Responders Children’s Foundation Emergency Response Fund is supported through corporate partnerships and individual donations to the foundation’s First Responders Strong fundraising campaign launched today. CSX, a premier transportation company, is the first corporate partner to commit to the fund through the company’s Pride in Service initiative.

100% of proceeds will provide financial aid to first responders protecting our communities.

Applications are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Applicants must reside in the United States. First Responders Children’s Foundation officers, committee members, employees, and members of their immediate families are not eligible. For questions, call (646) 822-4236 or email Info@1stRCF.org.

Any questions regarding our grants?

The success of our programs is only possible with the generous support of donors like you.

There is no greater way of demonstrating respect and appreciation for your community than by supporting our first responders on the front lines.

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