Stacks for Giving Back: Grants and breakfast kits announced for volunteer fire departments

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured News

Fire departments funding programme opens for 2026

Nutella, Pearl Milling Company and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have launched the 2026 Stacks for Giving Back programme, which will provide $50,000 in grants and 350 pancake breakfast fundraiser kits for local fire departments.

The NVFC announced that 10 departments will each receive a $5,000 grant, with Nutella providing $25,000 and Pearl Milling Company adding a further $25,000.

The programme is open to departments that are more than 50% volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, are based in the US and have an NVFC member.

Applications for the grants are due by 30 April.

Consumers can also nominate departments to receive a Pancake Breakfast Kit for a local fundraiser.

A total of 350 departments will receive kits containing supplies and ingredients, including Nutella and Pearl Milling Company pancake mix.

Fire departments cited as facing funding pressure

The announcement states that volunteer fire departments often face difficulty securing funding for equipment, firefighter recruitment and retention, and the demands linked to rising call volumes and new training requirements.

The programme was launched to help departments secure operational necessities and support local fundraising activity.

Examples from the 2025 round were also included as part of the announcement.

The Landis Volunteer Fire Department in Marshall, Arkansas used its grant to buy SCBA tanks and wildland fire protection equipment and gear.

Lucinda Rolen, department treasurer, said: “Leveraging the grant money by purchasing new and pre-owned personal protective equipment from online suppliers allowed us to provide more equipment to better protect our firefighters when they are protecting the community.”

The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department in Alabama used its grant to purchase equipment and tools that allowed all of its trucks to return to service.

David Hackworth, Assistant Fire Chief, said: “Morale has improved, training has improved, and members can now work on and train on a truck that was out of service and unavailable until we received this grant, which enabled us to get the equipment we needed to move enough resources to use this valuable truck.”

Chili Fremont Fire & Rescue also described how the funding supported a broader equipment purchase than first planned.

“By explaining the grant’s mission and goals, the vendor was able to adjust pricing, reduce shipping costs, and help maximise the impact of the funds.

“Being transparent with vendors can stretch grant dollars while maintaining the grant objective.”

The 2026 grant applications and department nominations for the fundraiser kits both close on 30 April.

New collaboration aims to modernise fire and EMS donation management

by EMSFeatured News

eServices partners with Public Safety Marketing for fire fundraising solutions

Partnership to support fire and EMS organisations

eServices Payment Technology has announced a partnership with Public Safety Marketing to deliver tailored fundraising and membership solutions for Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Air Medical organisations across the United States.

The collaboration combines eServices’ data-driven software platform with Public Safety Marketing’s expertise in direct mail campaigns to improve the efficiency of membership programmes and donation management.

According to the company, the joint approach is designed to help first responder agencies raise funds more effectively while maintaining operational performance.

Company leaders highlight benefits of collaboration

Jesse Siefert, Chief Executive Officer of eServices Payment Technology, said: “Our community heroes deserve the very best and most efficient solutions we can provide them to raise funds and maintain operational excellence.”

He added: “We are excited to bring the direct mail expertise of Public Safety Marketing into our team.”

Michael Henry, Vice President of Public Safety Marketing, said: “Public Safety Marketing is thrilled to become part of the eServices Payment Technology family.

“The combination of eServices’ software platform and Public Safety Marketing’s direct mail fundraising background will create a product offering that is unmatched.

“I look forward to continued relationships with Public Safety Marketing clients as well as new relationships with eServices’ clients.”

Background on eServices and its growth

Founded in 2013, eServices Payment Technology was established by Jesse Siefert and Chuck, who combined experience in emergency medical services and technology development to create an online payment platform for EMS and fire departments.

The company’s platform has since expanded into a broader e-commerce solution with applications across multiple sectors.

eServices now partners with over 1,600 organisations in the United States, providing integrated modules for donations, events, invoicing, medical billing, membership management and payment processing.

According to the company, its mission is to be a trusted partner and industry leader in creating e-commerce solutions that help organisations achieve their full potential.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The partnership between eServices Payment Technology and Public Safety Marketing is directly relevant for fire chiefs, EMS directors and administrative officers responsible for managing funding and membership operations.

The integration of digital payment tools with targeted direct mail marketing could streamline donation management and reduce administrative workload for volunteer and combination departments.

For finance and procurement officers, the development indicates an expanding market for modular e-commerce systems tailored to first responder needs, offering new options for secure and automated payment handling.

Legacy donations and record fundraising boost Fire Fighters Charity

by Featured News

Fundraising successes and partnerships drive Fire Fighters Charity income

The Fire Fighters Charity has announced a remarkable year of fundraising in 2024, with £1.84 million raised through legacy donations.

Supporters contributed to the charity’s success through various events, recycling initiatives, and corporate partnerships.

Fundraising highlights included the London Marathon, which generated over £60,000, and the Fire Fighters Charity Golf Cup, which raised £19,000.

Other notable efforts included a 110-mile tribute walk by the Woolridge family and a football match organised by Norfolk firefighters, which raised £26,000.

Recycling campaign generates £650,000 in 2024

The Bag it and Bank it campaign saw significant success, raising over £100,000 in January alone.

Over the course of the year, 480 tonnes of clothing were collected, generating £650,000.

This initiative not only provided vital funds but also diverted large amounts of clothing from landfills, underscoring the campaign’s dual environmental and financial impact.

Corporate partnerships strengthen fundraising efforts

Corporate partnerships played a crucial role in the charity’s 2024 fundraising achievements.

Collaborations with organisations such as Tuffking, Frequentis, and Polygon provided substantial financial support.

FireAngel, Frequentis, and Brooklin Claims named the charity as their charity of the year, while additional contributions came from companies like Aico, Motorola Solutions, and NEC Software Solutions.

Regular donor income exceeded £1.6 million, with one-off donations contributing an additional £215,000.

Campaigns and appeals support essential services

The charity also launched two appeals in 2024, focusing on its Nursing and Welfare Services Teams, raising over £13,000.

In addition to large-scale events, individual fundraising efforts made an impact.

For instance, some supporters undertook personal challenges such as monthly climbs of Snowdon or the Three Peaks challenge, raising essential funds to support the charity’s mission.

Fire Fighters Charity raises £1.8m through legacy donations in 2024: Summary

The Fire Fighters Charity raised £1.84 million from legacies in 2024, alongside £650,000 from recycling campaigns.

Corporate partnerships provided vital financial support, while regular donors contributed £1.6 million, complemented by £215,000 in one-off donations.

Major fundraising events included the London Marathon and the Fire Fighters Charity Golf Cup, with additional support from community and individual initiatives.

These efforts have enabled the charity to continue supporting the fire services community across the UK.

Fire Fighters Charity launches urgent appeal after coronavirus fundraising downturn

by Projects

The Fire Fighters Charity has launched an urgent appeal for new donors after its usual fundraising income fell by around £200,000 per month during the lockdown period.

The charity, which offers specialist mental health, physical health and social well-being support to members of the UK’s fire services community, receives no Government funding and relies on its fundraising income to raise the £10 million it needs each year to operate its national services in support of over 55,000 members of the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services and their dependants, as well as the retired fire services community.

However, the cancellation of all face-to-face fundraising and mass participation events over the past few months and, it would seem, for much of the rest of 2020, means that the organisation’s income is falling short by hundreds of thousands of pounds each month.

CEO Dr Jill Tolfrey has explained why the charity decided to launch an urgent appeal aimed at all those across the fire services community, as well as those who admire and support it. “This is an unprecedented time for the Fire Fighters Charity. We’ve never before faced such an extended period of time without any traditional fundraising activity and, for an organisation that’s almost entirely funded through the generosity of its supporters, we need to find a way to turn this around.”

Tolfrey continued: “I’m therefore hoping that this urgent appeal will strike a chord with those generous individuals and every member of our incredible fire service family. From front line firefighters to support and control staff, retired personnel and everyone for whom we provide our services, we will always be there for you when you need us, but right now we need you. Please start donating today and let’s navigate this tough time together.”

www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/