First Responders Children’s Foundation Announces $1.036 Million in Grants for 366 Scholarships to Children of U.S. First Responders
August 08 2024 - 10:02AM
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), a national 501(c)3
organization dedicated to serving the children of U.S. first
responders including firefighters, police officers, paramedics,
EMTs, corrections officers, and 911 dispatchers, is pleased to
announce that it will be providing 366 scholarship awards this
year, totaling $1.036 million, to children of first responders
across the nation.
In 2024, FRCF proudly awarded over $1 million in
scholarships, distributing over 360 scholarships to deserving
students. Notably, 16% of these scholarships were granted to
first-generation college students, while over 60% supported
children whose parents died or were disabled in the line of duty.
Over the past five years, the FRCF Scholarships program has awarded
over 1,700 scholarships and a remarkable $4.9 million, paving the
way for brighter futures.
“The First Responders Children's Foundation
continues to see a surge in scholarship applications, a stark
reminder of the immense financial burdens faced by families within
the first responder community,” said Jillian Crane, President and
CEO of the First Responders Children's Foundation. “With the rising
costs of college and living expenses, it's becoming increasingly
challenging for these families to make ends meet. That's why we're
grateful to our donors and corporate sponsors for their support,
which enables us to provide critical financial assistance to these
deserving students. We will continue to work tirelessly to address
the growing need, recognizing that the sacrifices made by first
responders' families warrant our support. By helping them overcome
these financial hurdles, we can ensure that these children have
every opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.”
In addition to offering scholarships to children
of firefighters, police officers, corrections officers, paramedics,
EMTs, and 911 dispatchers, FRCF provides first responder families
with bereavement grants, emergency financial hardship grants, and
free mental health counseling. FRCF also has a robust community
engagement program to help forge lasting relationships that build
trust, inspire future first responders, and strengthen the bonds
between communities and public safety agencies nationwide.
Generous supporters of the FRCF scholarship
program include Scooter Braun and The Braun Foundation; Patrick
Cantlay; Cradlepoint/Verizon; CSX Pride in Service; Devon Energy;
Ford’s Garage; Home Clean Heroes; Niagara Bottling;
PricewaterhouseCoopers; Rosewood Foundation; Smiling Rocks;
T-Mobile; Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
(TIAA); Universal Music Group Nashville, and Victoria Ovis – Louis
Vuitton.
ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
(FRCF) First Responders Children’s Foundation is a
national foundation that provides programs and resources that
address the specific needs of children of first responders. The
Foundation focuses on critical areas, including scholarships,
financial assistance grants; bereavement assistance, mental health
counseling for children; and community engagement programs to
foster positive relationships between first responder agencies and
the communities they serve. FRCF was founded over 22 years ago in
response to 9/11 when 800 children lost a first responder parent.
Additional information about FRCF can be found at www.1stRCF.org
and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @1strcf.
Press Contact: Natalie
Maniscalconatalie@retromedianyc.com845.659.6506