Emergency Medical Services
Funding

Financing options for your service can be challenging. However, there are many fundraising opportunities, including grants, that may go unnoticed. Despite being eligible for federal, state, and corporate grants, numerous EMS organizations fail to apply due to concerns with their eligibility status. Consider designating a volunteer grant writer for your service to gain insights on which funding opportunities your service may be eligible for.

Below are also resources to managing budgets and finances for your service.

Opportunities within The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care offers a range of grants, some of which can support EMS activities:

• Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program
• Minnesota Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program

Finding Grants

• CFEMA & USFA: Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services 2023 (PDF)
• Federal Health and Human Services Grants
• EMS1 Grants

Fundraising ideas

Some fun and profitable ideas to try include bingo nights, raffles, stew suppers, barbecues, chicken plate sales, spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfasts, senior dances, comedy nights, police vs. EMS staff tournaments, 5K races, turkey trots, Christmas wreath sales, mass mailing fund drives, bake sales or secondhand sales.

Writing grant proposals

Recruit a volunteer grant writer for your service, or find out the basics for writing your own.
EMS1 Grant Finder