Recruitment Grants

Find funding that may support recruitment and retention.

Search a curated directory built from official program sources. We show what is open, what recurs and what needs monitoring—without pretending to determine eligibility.

StateDepartment typePurposeAvailability

8 potential opportunities

Finder, not eligibility determination

Open NowPennsylvania

Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant

Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner

Official program

An annual state grant for Pennsylvania fire companies, EMS organizations and volunteer rescue squads.

Why it may matter: Recruitment and retention is an expressly eligible project category, including length-of-service awards and programs for minors.

Maximum: See current program guidance
Match: See current program guidance
Dates: Applications opened September 8, 2026
Last verified: September 12, 2026

This program may be relevant. Review the official guidance or contact the administrator to confirm eligibility.

Open NowNew Mexico

New Mexico Fire Protection Grant

New Mexico State Fire Marshal / Fire Grant Council

Official program

State fire-fund grants for certified departments and countywide projects, with a specific volunteer recruitment and retention category.

Why it may matter: Municipal and county applicants may request volunteer stipends and support for recruitment, retention or educational programs.

Maximum: Up to $25,000 for stipend/recruitment/retention add-on
Match: Costs above the award are local responsibility
Dates: July 15–September 12 (FY26 cycle)
Last verified: September 12, 2026

This program may be relevant. Review the official guidance or contact the administrator to confirm eligibility.

Open NowKansas

Kansas Volunteer Firefighter Grant

Kansas State Fire Marshal

Official program

FY2027 state-funded equipment assistance for recognized all-volunteer departments that meet reporting requirements.

Why it may matter: Not a marketing grant, but awarded protective equipment can reduce a major barrier to recruiting and retaining volunteers.

Maximum: Equipment packages; see FY2027 overview
Match: See FY2027 overview
Dates: Deadline: September 15, 2026 at 4 p.m.
Last verified: September 12, 2026

This program may be relevant. Review the official guidance or contact the administrator to confirm eligibility.

Recurring ProgramUnited States

SAFER Recruitment and Retention

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Official program

A recurring federal program with separate hiring and recruitment-and-retention activities. Current NOFO controls all eligibility and allowable costs.

Why it may matter: The R&R activity funds programs intended to increase or maintain the number of trained frontline firefighters.

Maximum: Varies by NOFO and activity
Match: See current NOFO
Dates: No current application window posted on the program page
Last verified: September 12, 2026

This program may be relevant. Review the official guidance or contact the administrator to confirm eligibility.

Recurring ProgramTexas

Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program — Recruitment Resources

Texas A&M Forest Service

Official program

Texas assistance for eligible rural volunteer departments. HB 2604 and federal Volunteer Fire Assistance funding support several distinct categories.

Why it may matter: The program describes Volunteer Recruitment Resources among assistance categories. Departments must confirm current availability and allowable costs in writing.

Maximum: Varies by category and current guidance
Match: Varies by category
Dates: Program availability varies by category
Last verified: September 12, 2026

This program may be relevant. Review the official guidance or contact the administrator to confirm eligibility.

Future Cycle ExpectedNew York

Recruitment and Retention Grant Program

New York DHSES Office of Fire Prevention and Control

Official program

A $1 million state-funded competitive program supporting volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel.

Why it may matter: The last cycle expressly included community outreach, special events and certain marketing and advertising campaigns.

Maximum: Up to $25,000 in the SFY2025–2026 cycle
Match: See cycle RFA
Dates: SFY2025–2026 deadline was September 10, 2025
Last verified: September 12, 2026

This program may be relevant. Review the official guidance or contact the administrator to confirm eligibility.

ClosedWisconsin

Youth Volunteer Firefighter Training Program Grant

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Official program

State grants for qualified departments, technical colleges and school districts serving middle- and high-school-age youth.

Why it may matter: Designed to address recruitment and retention by establishing or expanding youth firefighter recruitment and training programs.

Maximum: Up to $25,000 in the 2026 cycle
Match: See program announcement
Dates: 2026 deadline was March 1, 2026
Last verified: September 12, 2026

This program may be relevant. Review the official guidance or contact the administrator to confirm eligibility.

Monitor / Currently InactiveOhio

Small County Volunteer Fire Department Grant

Ohio State Fire Marshal

Official program

A non-matching FY2026 grant for eligible volunteer departments in qualifying Ohio counties.

Why it may matter: Not recruitment-specific; stronger equipment and training capacity may support retention. Confirm proposed expenses before applying.

Maximum: Up to $50,000 in FY2026
Match: No match stated for FY2026
Dates: FY2026 cycle information remains posted
Last verified: September 12, 2026

This program may be relevant. Review the official guidance or contact the administrator to confirm eligibility.

Important: This directory is provided for informational purposes only. Inclusion of a funding opportunity does not mean this platform, service, or any specific expense is eligible for reimbursement. Eligibility and allowable costs are determined by the administering organization. Departments should review current guidance and obtain written approval when eligibility is unclear.

Verification workflow

Every change requires a human decision.

Automated checks can flag changed dates, guidance and page content. They should never publish an AI summary directly to departments.

1Check the official source on schedule
2Detect dates, documents or wording that changed
3Prepare a concise change summary
4Queue it for a human reviewer
5Publish only after approval and stamp the verification date