Don’t let this happen to you:

Several departments we talked to last year dropped part of their request in their application or dropped their entire request because they did not have the necessary matching funds. 

Matching funds dollars are a hard match. That does not mean they are hard to get, just that you must match real dollars with real dollars. You can’t use salaries or time for matching funds.

You need to have your matching funds lined up when you put your application together. You do not need to have the money in hand at that time, just the commitment for the money. You probably won’t find out if you are approved for your grant request until 6-10 months after you applied. The money has to be ready when that comes through.

IDEAS FOR RAISNING MATCHING FUNDS - If your department budget will not cover them.

q       Send out a press release to local papers to get the word out to ask the community to help.

q       Open house contributions, pancake breakfast, chili cook-off, barbecue.

q       Free blood pressure screening at local mall or supermarket.
Ask for donations.

q       Direct business contributions. 
Be specific on the money needed - see item number 2 below

q       Raffle
Ask for local business donations for items to raffle off.

q       Sell birthday parties at the fire station. 
Children can sit in apparatus, put on bunker gear and have picture taken etc.

q       Contact local Chamber of Commerce or business groups to help. 
Have the chief / asst. chief / training officer make presentation.
 

q       Photo's of kids or groups at fire station.

q       Set up a bank account and put out donation jar at local bank, convenience stores.

q       Recruit for volunteers at local fairs, show you are raising funds for training.
Mention if you do not have any tax support.

q       Pass the boot.

  q Auction.
              Ask for local business donations for items to raffle off.
 

If you don’t have money in your department budget for the matching funds, or, if you don’t have the option or time for other fund raising events such as traditional pancake breakfasts, bingo or chili cook-offs, there is still a way to find the money.

Here are two more ideas for raising matching funds that may not have occurred to you:

1.       Ask your city council or governing entity to allocate the matching funds. Several departments were able to accomplish this in years past. If you go to that governing body with a strong proposal that shows a great return on investment (all the things you need to convince FEMA to fund you) you have a good chance that money can be made available to cover your matching funds.

One successful department included the following in their application:

”We have approached the County Government and the Village for assistance to purchase these items. The village gave all they could for the used truck. Sales tax is down and unemployment is up, the county says the money is not there to fund these items. Both government bodies realize that we need support and have pledged to fund the 10% matching if we are successful in receiving the grant.”

2.       Contact local businesses. If your city or county government cannot give you the matching funds, try contacting some local businesses in your area. If you have a good proposal put together they can be as receptive or even more receptive than a government entity that may have no money to spare.

Get a couple of people from your department to put on a uniform and make face-to-face contact with local business owners or managers in your response area. Firefighters are still considered the good guys and communities and businesses like to support you. Tell them that you have a chance to improve your department if you can raise a small amount of money.

For example: If you are a department of under 50,000 population served your matching funds level is 10%. If you were asking for our grant training package at $16,999 (saving $5700 on the pkg. price) you would need $1700 in matching funds. Telling businesses in your response area that you can get over $22,000 worth of training materials for your department if you can raise $1700 should get their attention. Then ask if they would be in a position to contribute towards that goal.

Be sure to mention how it will help your community (them) – lowering insurance rates (ISO), improve Firefighter safety, improved response times etc. All it would take is for 3 businesses to contribute $570 each and you have it.

Tell them you don’t need the money today, only the commitment. You will need the money in 6-10 months. That gives them time to work it into their budget as well.

You can use the same argument for apparatus, PPE whatever.  10% of a $125,000 pumper is only $12,500. How often can your department get a 90% discount on training or apparatus?

Just be prepared with what you want to say about the benefits and cost savings to the community if you are successful. This is the type of thing businesses will support. Good Luck!