13 Fire Service Groups You Can Support this Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday - the first Tuesday of December - has become a day of generosity and a reminder that the spirit of giving can be just as powerful as any holiday gift. Each year, nonprofits rely on this day to fund their missions and secure critical funding that often goes back into the community through grants, education programs, equipment donations and more.

The fire service was founded on the principal of fire protection and life safety, but many key organizations that support the fire service rely heavily on grants and donations to provide their critical services. 

Below are 13 organizations that provide financial support to firefighters and their families, award needed funding for critical equipment and training, offer education on firefighter safety and share the rich history of the fire service. 

• FASNY Museum of Firefighting - Based in Hudson, NY, the massive collection of fire service memorabilia, from vehicles to equipment, spans Colonial times through modern history. You can donate here.
• Firefighter Cancer Support Network - FCSN supports firefighters and other rescuers who have been diagnosed with cancer. They also provide training and education on occupational cancer for firefighters. You can donate here.
• First Responder Center for Excellence - FRCE, an affiliate of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, raise awareness and education for firefighters in the areas of behavioral health, cardiac health and disease prevention, musculoskeletal injuries, occupational cancers with a focus on the overall health and safety of firefighters. This year's Giving Tuesday effort supports green firefighter PPE bags to limit exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens. You can donate here.
• Folds of Honor - The organization provides scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled firefighters and military veterans. You can donate here.
• Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting - The Phoenix-based museum includes five exhibit galleries with 1,300 wheeled pieces and thousands of firefighting artifacts dedicated to preserving the history of the fire service, plus the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes. The museum recently suffered nearly $100,000 damage during two major storms and is raising funds to complete needed repairs. You can donate here.
• Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association - The association was started by fallen the parents of fallen Granite Mountain Hot Shot Kevin Woyjeck’s parents to assist young men and women who want to enter the fire service. The KWELA provides fire cadet and explorer programs with the funding, tools and equipment they need to foster a priceless hands-on learning environment. You can donate here.
• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation - NFFF's mission is to honor America’s fallen fire heroes while providing support to their families and colleagues. The foundation hosts the annual fallen firefighters memorial but works year-round to ensure that the sacrifices of the fallen are never forgotten and that those survivors receive the support they need. You can donate here.
• National Volunteer Fire Council - NVFC is the voice of the volunteer fire service in the U.S. and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy America's volunteer firefighters. You can donate here.
• Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund - The non-profit organization after the death of FDNY Rescue 4 firefighter Terry Farrell during the World Trade Center attacks. The fund provides fire departments with needed equipment, awards scholarships to children of firefighters and provides assistance to firefighters who suffer medical emergencies. You can donate here.
• The Leary Firefighters Foundation - Founded by actor Dennis Leary, the cousin of fallen Worcester, MA, firefighter Jerry Lucey, the organization provided equipment, tools and technology to fire departments across the country. You can donate here.
• The Yard Foundation - The foundation provides funding and assistance to firefighters and their families who are in need following death, injury, illness and other circumstances. You can donate here.
• Tunnel to Towers - The foundation pays off the mortgages of fallen first responders and military members and provides funding for smart homes for injured firefighters and military veterans. It was started to honor FDNY Squad 1 firefighter Stephen G. Siller, who was last seen running to the burning World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. You can donate here.
• Wildland Firefighter Foundation - WFF provide assistance to wildland firefighters and their families through financial aid, and physical and emotional support. The foundation is an advocate for the wildland firefighting community. You can donate here.

Use Charity Navigator to find additional fire service organizations that can use your support on Giving Tuesday and every day.