Category Archives: Community Safety

Pool Safely Grant Program

The Pool Safely Grant Program from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission supports enforcement and education projects to to prevent drowning and drain entrapment of children in pools and spas. 

Applications for $50,000 – $400,000 over 2 years are due by July 12, 2024. There is no matching requirement. At least 25% of grant funding must be spent on enforcement activities; the remainder may be spent on education.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • U.S. state and territory governments
  • Local governments
  • Native American Tribal governments

Definition

For the purposes of this program, a public pool or spa is:

  • Open to the general public for free or for a fee
  • Open exclusively to members of an organization and their guests
  • Open exclusively to residents of an apartment building, apartment complex, residential real estate development, or other multi-unit residential area
  • Open exclusively to patrons of a hotel, motel, etc.
  • Operated by the federal government or by a concessionaire on behalf of the federal government for the benefit of members of the Armed Forces and their dependents or employees of any department or agency and their dependents

Allowable Expenses

Enforcement

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A minimum of 25% of grant funding must be used for enforcement of state and local standards for pool safety, such as:

  • Salaries of enforcement personnel and grant managers
  • Administrative costs of enforcement and education
  • Training lifeguards

Education

Remaining funds may be used to educate the general public as well as pool owners and pool installation and/or service companies about state and local standards for pool safety. Eligible expenses include:

  • Administrative costs associated with educational programs
  • Lifeguard training equipment and materials
  • Lifeguard instructor training costs
  • Direct mailings

Funds may not be used to build or renovate pools/spas or to install or repair pool/spa equipment.

Funding Preference

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Applicants may request a funding preference equal to an additional 5 points on their review score. To qualify, they must submit valid data that their service area experiences a significantly higher proportion of child drownings, nonfatal submersions, and drain entrapments than comparable national statistics.

Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program

The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program supports projects in Union Pacific communities. Their focus areas are Safety, Workplace Development, Commuity Vitality, and Environmental Sustainability.

Applications are due by May 31, 2024. Awards are typically $5,000 – $30,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in Union Pacific communities.

Focus Areas

  • Safety – helping communities prevent and prepare for emergencies and helping residents live safely day to day 
  • Workplace Development – helping underrepresented residents find family-supporting careers
  • Community Vitality – cultural and recreational experiences and providing community members with opportunities to live healthy, vital lives
  • Environmental Sustainability – environmental nonprofits and community-based organizations advancing the health of the environment

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • General operating support
  • Event sponsorships
  • Fundraising events
  • Sports events, organizations, and teams
  • Fellowships
  • Research

Mary Kay Ash Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program supports shelters in the U.S. providing a safe haven for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Applications for $20,000 are due by April 30, 2024. At least one grant will be awarded in each state from which they receive an application.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and organizations associated with Native American tribes.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used at the awardees discretion, including for staff salaries and operating expenses. The only restriction is that it can’t be used for staff travel.

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation funds the purchase of lifesaving equipment and outreach education on public safety in the United States.

Grants are awarded quarterly, but only 600 applications will be accepted each quarter. The grant portal will open in 2024 on April 4th, July 11th, and October 10th at 10 AM ET. Awards are typically $15,000 – $35,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Fire departments
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Municipal and state governments
  • Public safety organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Schools

Resources are focused in areas within 60 miles of a Firehouse Subs restaurant. However, the Foundation recognizes the needs of rural organizations and will accept applications from outside that radius.

Focus Areas

Lifesaving Equipment

Image by Ernesto Eslava

Funds the purchase of equipment such as:

  • Automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
  • Bunker gear
  • Bulletproof vests
  • All-terrain vehicles
  • Fire hoses

Prevention Education

Funds the purchase of prevention education tools such as:

  • Fire extinguisher training systems
  • Educational materials focused on distracted driving, carbon monoxide poisoning, CPR training, etc.

Scholarships and Continued Education

Financial assistance for individuals pursuing a career in public safety.

Disaster Relief

Funds assistance for survivors and first responders during and after a natural disaster.

Support for Members of the Military

Support for individuals who have served in any branch of the U.S. military.

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may be not be used for:

  • Dashboard cameras
  • Drones and drone accessories
  • Use of force equipment such as guns, tasers, and riot gear
  • Radar detectors
  • Surveillance equipment
  • Promotional items

Walmart Spark Good Local Grants

The Walmart Foundation supports projects in the communities where they operate through their Spark Good Local Grants. This program allows them to meet the unique needs of each community.

Applications for $250 – $5,000 are accepted and reviewed by store management on a quarterly basis. In 2024, open submission periods are:

  • Quarter 1: March 1 – April 15
  • Quarter 2: May 1 – July 15
  • Quarter 3: August 1 – October 15
  • Quarter 4: November 1 – December 31

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofits
  • City, county, or state government entities
  • K-12 public, nonprofit private, or charter schools
  • Community or junior colleges
  • State or private colleges and universities
  • Churches or religious organizations

Eligible applicants must also:

  • Operate on the local level
  • Directly benefit the service area of the store to which they are applying
  • Be verified through Deed

Space Tool

This tool allows organizations to request space outside their local Walmart for fundraisers and community awareness campaigns. Requests must be submitted at least 21 days prior to the proposed date and cannot be for more than 8 consecutive hours on 3 days.

For-profit businesses are not eligible, but non-501(c)3 nonprofits are.

Costco Wholesale Grant

Costco offers grant funding to organizations supporting Children, Education, and Health and Human Services in the communities where their stores are located. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed within 4-6 weeks. Applicants are advised to submit at least three months prior to their program or event.

Organizations may apply once per fiscal year (September – August).

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.

Allowable Expenses

Costco does not specify what types of expenses grant funds can be used for. However, they do not fund:

  • Salaries or staff training
  • Capital campaigns, building projects, or equipment
  • Transportation and travel expenses
  • Research
  • Symposiums, conferences, conventions, professional association meetings
  • Athletic teams, events, booster clubs, or sponsorships
  • Animal related programs, including shelters
  • Merchandise promotions, partnerships or advertising
  • General awareness campaigns/advocacy
  • Development or production of books, films, videos, television programs, social media or websites
  • Parties, celebrations, parades, festivals and raffles
  • Awards, monuments and/or memorials

Grant Amount

Awards vary in size, but applicants are advised not to request more than 10% of their overall annual budget. First time applicants should start with smaller requests.

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

  • Cover Letter
  • W-9
  • Organization’s budget information (current year and past year)
  • Program budget information (current year and past year if applicable)

Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation: Fighting Hunger Grants

Fighting Hunger Grants from the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation support programs in the United States and Canada working to defeat hunger in their communities.

Applications for up to $10,000 are due by January 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. A partner from Alpha Gamma Delta is not required to receive funding.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the United States and NPOs in Canada.

Funding will not be awarded to organizations who:

  • Limit services to members of one religious group
  • Use their services to promote a religious creed or ideology
  • Use their services to influence political outcomes

Strategic Areas

The Fighting Hunger program is focused on:

  • Direct food assistance or food distribution in communities 
  • Food rescue
  • Nutrition education related to food assistance

Special Funding

The Foundation has received special funding to award two grants of up to $25,000 for programs that support the prevention, care, and treatment of diabetes and/or diabetes education, outreach, or awareness. 

Applicants wishing to apply for this special funding will use the same application form as other applicants.

State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Grants

State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Grants support programs in the United States with a long-term, sustainable impact. Their three focus areas are Safety, Community Development, and Education.

Grants are by invitation only, but interested organizations may submit Support Requests.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • 501(c)4 volunteer fire departments
  • Educational institutions
  • Municipal, county, state, and federal government entities

Focus Areas

Safety

Safety grants are awarded to projects focusing on:

  • Auto safety
  • Home safety
  • Disaster preparedness and mitigation
  • Disaster recovery

Community Development

Community development grants are awarded to projects focusing on:

  • Affordable housing
  • Commercial/small business development
  • Job training
  • Neighborhood revitalization 
  • Financial literacy
  • Sustainable housing and transportation
  • Food insecurity

Education

Education grants are awarded to projects focusing on:

  • Higher education
  • K-12 academic performance
  • K-12 STEM
  • Pathways for college and career success

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation was founded to improve the lives of other people and the world we live in. They fund projects in four focus areas: Education, Innovation, Health Care, and Community.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis and reviewed quarterly. Deadlines each year are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • Municipalities
  • Public schools

Preference is given to applicants in Utah.

Focus Areas

Education

  • Promoting education and job training
  • Fostering the arts, including arts education in schools
  • Supporting performing arts organizations
  • Helping young artists

Innovation

  • Protecting and enhancing the environment
  • Advancing work in science, culture, and recreation
  • Developing parks and green spaces
  • Enhancing quality of life for everyone

Health Care

  • Medical research
  • Developing innovative medical technology
  • Easing pain and suffering

Community

  • Promoting community development and security
  • Promoting adequate, affordable housing
  • Helping disenfranchised members of society
  • Providing youth with alternatives to destructive behavior

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

  • A list of the Board of Directors and Officers
  • A copy of the organization’s 501(c)3 determination letter from the IRS (if applicable)
  • The most recent audited financial statement, balance sheet and annual operating budget
  • Relevant pamphlets or brochures
  • At least two letters of support
  • Photographs and/or and 8 1/2 x 11 architect’s rendering for construction or restoration projects

Healthy Homes Production Grant Program 

The Healthy Homes Production Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds projects addressing childhood diseases and injuries due to housing-related health and safety hazards.  

HUD expects to make approximately 20 awards. The maximum request is $2 million and the minimum is $1 million over a 42 month project period. Applications are due through Grants.gov by November 7, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Federally recognized Tribal governments
  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, except institutions of higher education

All housing units assisted with grant funds must have residents with income at or below 80% of the area median income level or at income levels defined in the income guidelines.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be spent on:

Administrative costs – up to 10% of project total

https://www.cdc.gov/radon/radon-test.html

Healthy Homes Direct Costs – at least 65% of project funds must be spent on activities such as:

  • Sampling and testing for allergens, carbon monoxide, radon and/or other housing-related health and safety hazards
  • Temporary relocation of residents while their home is being remediated
  • Soft costs like staff expenses for reviewing applications, preparing documents, and arranging temporary relocation

Purchasing/Leasing equipment with a per unit cost under $5,000

Providing resources such as training courses for contractors and other housing professionals and subsidies for low-income individuals to become certified

Conducting outreach and marketing to promote participation

Evaluation of remediation effectiveness

Program Objectives

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Program participants will be expected to:

  • Increase the number of vulnerable residents and houses protected from housing-related environmental health and safety hazards
  • Promote effective and affordable healthy homes methods
  • Build local capacity to continue to address housing-related environmental health and safety hazards in low- and very low-income residences
  • Promote collaboration, data sharing, and targeting between health and housing departments

Leveraged Funds

All applicants will be expected to leverage additional funds of at least 10% of the total program cost. Potential sources include:

  • State or local funds
  • Private donations
  • Costs covered by the homeowner
  • Discounts on products and services
  • In-kind contributions