As preventable injuries are the third leading cause of death in the United States, June emphasizes the importance of safety and recognizes National Safety Month. ^[1] To raise awareness, USFCR is currently highlighting opportunities and resources to help businesses, nonprofits, and individuals continue to aid in injury prevention and preparation for potential disasters.

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Rural Development offers grants to nonprofit organizations, rurally-located public bodies, and tribal governments to improve disaster preparedness and recovery for emergencies that threaten the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Applicants can apply up to $150,000 for waterline extensions, leak or break repairs, and other related maintenance to replenish the water supply. Applicants can also apply for up to $1,000,000 for the construction of new wells, transmission lines, reservoirs, treatment plants, and/or other water sources.

Events that qualify as an emergency include droughts, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, disease outbreaks, chemical spills, leaks, or seepage, among others. A federal disaster declaration is not required. Eligible areas include colonias, eligible rural areas, towns with populations of 10,000 or less, and tribal lands in rural areas. Applicants are encouraged to contact their local RD office for details on whether their area has a median household income less than the state’s median household income for non-metropolitan areas.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is offering up to $45,000 to U.S. and Puerto Rico fire departments, EMS and law enforcement agencies, schools, public safety, and nonprofit organizations to improve emergency response capacity. Eligible funding areas include disaster relief, life-saving equipment, support for military members, scholarships and continued education, and prevention education. Eligible applicants must be located within a 60-mile radius of a Firehouse Subs restaurant. 

Be aware that a maximum of 600 applications will be accepted quarterly. Previous grant recipients are eligible to reapply, but must wait a minimum of three (3) years from the date of approval before reapplying. Once the maximum number of applications is met, the site will close for the remainder of the quarter. The grant portal will open at 10:00 am Eastern Time on the following dates:

• Quarter 4 (2025): Thursday, July 10, 2025
• Quarter 1 (2026): Thursday, October 9, 2025

There are no reimbursements for purchased equipment under this opportunity. The Foundation also does not accept requests for patent-pending products, nor refurbished or pre-owned equipment. Commonly requested equipment includes: helmets, flashlights, bulletproof vests, bunker coats and pants, bunker gear, police bicycles, automated external defibrillators, thermal imaging cameras, gas detectors, vehicle extrication tools, automated chest compression systems, stabilization struts, rapid response bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). The Foundation does not accept grant requests for “use of force” items, including guns, tasers, riot gear, fire simulators, or other similar items.

The Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund by DoorDash

DoorDash, in collaboration with Hello Alice, is offering up to $10,000 to for-profit restaurants, gastropubs, or bakeries located in the U.S., the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. For-profit restaurants in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can apply for the Disaster Relief Fund at Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). Eligible organizations must have experienced a loss in revenue as a result of a natural disaster as declared by state, local or federal governments (i.e., wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes) within the last twelve (12) months. Grants can be used to cover expenses directly related to an eligible disaster; however, COVID-19-related damages are not eligible or considered. 

Eligible organizations must operate in a brick-and-mortar location and own a maximum of three (3) locations (employing fewer than 50 employees per location), have been open for at least six (6) months, and have revenues of $3 million or less in the last twelve (12) months. They must also be independently owned. The Fund can be used for any expense related to loss in revenue and is not covered by insurance. Examples include:

• Utilities
• Covered supplier costs
• Supplies and materials
• Food and beverage inventory
• Business operational expenses
• Payments of principal or interest on any mortgage obligation
• Rent payments, including rent under a lease agreement
• Maintenance, including new outdoor seating construction
• Any other expense essential to maintain operations

The Fund will be open until June 20, 2025. Announcements are expected to be made in July 2025. Applicants will receive a confirmation email from Hello Alice to notify them that their applications have been successfully received.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) by the U.S. Department of Transportation

The U.S. Department of Transportation is expected to offer awards to metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), federally recognized Tribal governments, political subdivisions of a State or territory, or multijurisdictional groups of entities described in any of the aforementioned three types of entities. The SS4A Program provides funding for two grant types:

• Planning & Demonstration Activities: This avenue provides funds that develop, complete, or supplement an Action Plan.
• Implementation Grants: This avenue provides funds that address roadway safety problems by implementing projects and strategies identified in an eligible Action Plan. 

Applicants may apply for this opportunity until June 26, 2025, at 5:00 pm Eastern Time (EDT). About 40 to 70 applicants are expected to be awarded Implementation Grants with an expected funding range of $2.5MM to $25MM. For Planning & Demonstration Grants, 400 to 700 applicants are expected to be awarded and have an expected funding range of $100,000 to $5MM. Be aware that recipients are required to contribute a matching share of no less than 20 percent of the total eligible project costs.

The Petfinder Foundation’s Disaster Response & Recovery Grants 

The Petfinder Foundation’s disaster-relief program is offering up to $10,000 to assist U.S. and Canadian animal rescues and shelters for disaster relief. Funding must support national or human-made disasters that may devastate animal shelters and rescue groups. Such disasters include hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, extreme weather (extreme heat, freezing temperatures, significant snowstorms), and other events. Applicants must be registered members of the Petfinder website to apply.

Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation Grants

Grants are offered to U.S. and Canadian fire departments for a lack of sufficient personal safety rope systems (PSS) and require instruction on the proper and safe usage of said equipment. Volunteer fire departments may also apply. This opportunity is available now through June 30, 2025. Be aware that grants will not exceed $25,000 per year. Grant requests exceeding $25,000, if approved, are required to reapply each year. All funds will be expended within six months of receipt.

Additional Resources:

• Disaster Assistance.gov: This resource assists those affected by natural disasters in applying for FEMA assistance, highlights application deadlines, shows a list of states where a disaster was declared for FEMA’s Individual Assistance, and provides other local resources for individuals to prepare for disasters in their respective states.  
• USA.gov: USA.gov offers many resources to assist individuals in preparing for disasters as well as finding further assistance after disasters occur.
• PennWest University: This organization defines disaster management, highlights various disaster management agencies, and informs readers on types of disasters that fall under disaster management and planning.
• U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): The site highlights various information relating to emergency preparedness and response.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA offers low-interest loans to help businesses, homeowners, and renters recover from declared disasters. They also assist in locating nearby SBA Recovery Centers for walk-ins and scheduled appointments.
• American Red Cross: The organization offers preparedness disaster resources and suggestions for individuals with disabilities.
• Strength After: This organization offers additional services and resources to prepare for disasters.
• National Weather Service: The Emergency Supplies Kit informs audiences of the recommended supplies to include in a basic kit when awaiting an approaching disaster. 
• Banfield Foundation: Its Disaster Relief Grant offers 501c3 nonprofit animal organizations and local/state government agencies financial support after suffering from a disaster.
• The AOA Foundation: The Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR) offers immediate financial relief to optometrists and students who have experienced property damage to their home or business.
• Dollar General Literacy Foundation: Its Beyond Words Grant offers assistance to K-12 public school libraries that have incurred damage or hardship due to natural disasters, fires, or an act recognized by the federal government as terrorism.
• The Pilcrow Foundation: The Children’s Book Project Program Grants helps U.S. rural public libraries that suffered loss and damage due to recent natural disasters.
• Disaster Recovery International (DRI) Foundation: The Foundation offers up to $2,500 to U.S., Canadian, and international nonprofits in need of immediate disaster relief.
• Radiowell: Its program offers used radio equipment to U.S. schools, EMS, police, fire, and other public safety rescue agencies at no cost to facilitate communication during emergencies.
• Realtors Relief Foundation: The Foundation provides housing-related support to state and local REALTOR associations, as well as an Institute, Society, or Council (ISCs) of the National Association of REALTORS. 

Need Assistance?

USFCR’s Consulting Division offers assistance with grant applications through grant writing, and review and submission services. To learn more about USFCR’s grant services, please contact us at (877) 252-2700 or complete the grant assessment below.

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Citation(s):

Johnson, D. Keith. “June is National Safety Month.” U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. June 27, 2024. Accessed May 27, 2025. https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/stories/june-is-national-safety-month/