Grants
Federal, State, and Private Funding Opportunities for Wisconsin EMS
Here you will find information on grant opportunities available to EMS professionals and organizations in Wisconsin, including Federal, State, and private funding sources. Listings are provided for informational purposes only. Always refer to the funder's official website for the most current eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application instructions. Grants are organized below by application deadline, followed by grants that accept applications on a rolling or ongoing basis.
Deadline-Based Grants
Sorted by application window. Federal fiscal year dates shown reflect the most recent cycle; check the agency link for updated dates.
| Grant / Funder | Description | Eligibility | Amount | Application Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrill Community Foundation Grants Merrill Community Foundation |
Funding for projects and programs that enhance the lives of Merrill's residents and visitors in areas such as human services, education, health and wellness, arts and culture, environmental stewardship, and community development. | Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit; project must be completed within two years. | Not specified | April 10 & September 10 Notification within 4 weeks |
| WPS Rewarding Responders Grant Wisconsin Public Service Foundation |
Supports local public safety response agencies with equipment and professional development for special, one-time, safety-related projects. Since 2014, has awarded more than $600,000 to over 211 agencies statewide. | County, local, and volunteer fire, law enforcement, and rescue agencies in the WPS service area. | $75,000/year available; max $2,000 per project | May 1 - June 15 Winners notified by July 31 |
| Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) FEMA |
Funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained, front-line firefighters. | Fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations. | $324 million available (FY2025) | May 19 - June 22, 2026 (FY2025 cycle) |
| Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) FEMA |
Meets firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations, helping them obtain equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, and training. | Fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations. | $291.6 million available (FY2025) | May 19 - June 22, 2026 (FY2025 cycle) |
| Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) FEMA |
Part of the AFG program. Supports projects that reduce injury and prevent death among high-risk populations, including Firefighter Safety Research and Development. | Fire and EMS organizations (part of AFG). | Included in AFG funding | May 19 - June 22, 2026 (FY2025 cycle) |
| EMS Funding Assistance Program (FAP) Wisconsin Department of Health Services |
Supplemental funding for qualified Emergency Medical Services providers. | Licensed WI EMS providers offering transport services and responding to 911 calls for a primary service area. | Not specified | SFY2026 closed (Aug 18 - Sept 29, 2025) SFY2027 dates TBD |
| Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access, and Rural Transformation (WIG:HEART) Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development |
Funds innovative, long-term solutions to rural healthcare workforce challenges, helping employers find workers and helping workers prepare for and connect to better, family-sustaining jobs. | Non-profit organizations and governmental entities partnering with regional workforce groups. | $500,000 - $10 million per award (up to $150 million over 4 years; $4.9 million available in Year 1) | Due Aug. 17, 2026, 3 p.m. CT |
| Rural Health Transformation Program: Care Coordination Grants Wisconsin Department of Health Services |
Funds new, collaborative cross-sector partnerships (such as EMS paired with behavioral health or social services) to coordinate care and address fragmented systems of care in rural Wisconsin. | Agencies proposing new cross-sector care coordination partnerships (planning-period application). | Up to $10 million for a 6-month planning period; est. $25 million in Year 1 of the full 4-year program (pending CMS approval) | Planning application due Aug. 21, 2026 |
Ongoing / Rolling Application Grants
These grants accept applications on a rolling or ongoing basis with no fixed annual deadline.
| Grant / Funder | Description | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Responder Grants Firehouse Subs Foundation |
Life-saving equipment (e.g., AEDs, vehicle extraction equipment, ATVs), public education (e.g., CPR training), and scholarships. | First responders and public safety organizations. | Up to $45,000 |
| Spark Good Local Grants Walmart Foundation |
Supports local organizations meeting the unique needs of communities where Walmart operates. Applications reviewed quarterly. | 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, schools, and faith-based organizations. | $250 - $5,000 |
| First Responder Grant Gary Sinise Foundation |
Training and equipment for emergency response providers. Priority given to volunteer departments and low- or underfunded departments. | Paramedic/EMS, fire, and law enforcement departments (U.S. and territories). | Not specified |
| Individual Financial Assistance First Responders Children's Foundation (FRCF) |
Helps mitigate housing payments, work-related medical or mental health expenses, and childcare or eldercare expenses. | U.S. first responders. | Not specified |
| AED Grant Programs CPR Savers |
Covers all or part of the cost of purchasing an automated external defibrillator (AED). | Not specified | Varies |
| Operation Rebound Grant Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) |
Sports and fitness programs that enhance physical and mental health; funding for sports equipment and program expenses. | U.S. first responders, military personnel, and veterans with disabilities. | Not specified |
| Become a Dispensing Site Dispensary of Hope |
Donates medications to nonprofit health systems, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies serving low-income and uninsured patients. | Nonprofit health systems, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. | N/A (in-kind medication donation) |
| Down Payment Assistance First Responder Service & Awards |
Home buying grant program for full-time firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and law enforcement officers. | Full-time firefighter, EMT, paramedic, or law enforcement officer serving the locality where the home is located. | Up to $3,500 |
| Officer Next Door First Responder Service & Awards |
Housing grants for law enforcement officers and support staff; minimum $1,000 non-repayable grant plus possible additional down payment assistance. | Law enforcement officers and support staff. | Up to $8,000 |
| Rural Emergency Communications Operational Rapid Assistance Package (O-RAP) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) |
Provides technical assistance (not direct funding) to rural communities to assess and strengthen emergency communications infrastructure supporting rural EMS delivery. | County and local public safety agencies in rural communities. | N/A - no-cost technical assistance |
COULDN'T FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?
Check out some of these other options below!
New to federal grants? Most federal opportunities (including SAFER, AFG, and FP&S) require registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov before you can apply. SAM registration can take 1-2 weeks to process, so register early. Learn how to get started.
Grant funding opportunities from our partners at the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health.
Looking for funding? GrantWatch simplifies the grant search process. Find grants fast with this secure search and listing directory of currently available grants. Note: GrantWatch charges a subscription fee.
Federal funding opportunities published on Grants.gov are for organizations supporting the development and management of government-funded programs. Access their learning center for step-by-step guidance for applicants.
Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services by FEMA. Highlights the pros and cons of funding sources used by fire and EMS agencies throughout the nation.
Know of a grant that should be listed here? Contact breana@wisconsinems.com.