Grants

MISSION

To support an independent and vital Virginia Beach volunteer rescue system.

GRANT FOCUS AND PURPOSE

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) applicable to the volunteer rescue squad system engage a wide range of social, political, technological and environmental issues. Open discourse between the City of Virginia Beach, its paid emergency services organizations, the volunteer rescue squads and the citizens of Virginia Beach is essential to study, understand and resolve the specific issues associated with integrating and operating a volunteer rescue squad system within the City’s paid emergency system. The Foundation’s grant program focuses on providing the City’s volunteer rescue squad entities with a fiscal alternative that enables the volunteer rescue squad system to better provide the City of Virginia Beach with a balanced and effective EMS capability. With the Foundation’s support, the work of the individual rescue squad entities and their related support organizations will have the opportunity to improve their overall operational capability. Grants will be made to eligible volunteer rescue squad entities to sponsor training, equipment and community outreach related to pre-hospital emergency care in the following categories:

• Equipment & Supplies
• Training and Education
• Community Awareness
• Capital Expenditures
• Recruitment & Retention

GEOGRAPHIC AREA SERVED

The Foundation will normally only consider requests for grants that are submitted by qualified volunteer rescue squad entities or related emergency medical support organizations (e.g., Rescue Dive Team, Rescue Council, etc.) that predominantly serve the City of Virginia Beach.

GRANT AMOUNT

Grants awards will depend upon the annual budget allocated by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

GRANT CYCLE

The Foundation will normally consider one grant application per volunteer rescue squad entity each fiscal year (January 1 – December 31). Grant awards are made annually in January. Applications must be either postmarked, email stamped or hand-delivered no later Friday, October 2, 2020 for the Foundation’s consideration in December.

ELIGIBILITY

The Foundation will only consider applications for grants submitted by recognized volunteer rescue squad entities or related emergency medical support organizations working to improve or advocate for an independent and vital volunteer rescue system that predominantly serves the City of Virginia Beach. Only 501(c) (3) tax exempt organizations are eligible for funding.

GRANT PERIOD

Grant support is generally authorized on a year to year basis; however, in exceptional situations and at the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Foundation may offer grant support for multi-year projects. In these instances, grants must be completed within two years of notification of award. Applicants should allow sufficient time to plan, implement, close out their project, and, if funded, acknowledge the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation support in all printed media.

MATCHING GRANT FUNDS

The Foundation welcomes collaboration with other grant-makers and favors applicant organizations with multiple sources of support. To this end, the Foundation will consider grant applications seeking matching funds for applicable EMS developmental programs and capital projects that meet the eligibility requirements described above.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

Given the Foundation’s mission, focus and priorities, grant proposals are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Potential for impact: The project makes a meaningful contribution to discourse and/or to the EMS field; expands knowledge; raises community awareness of a specific issue within the EMS spectrum
• Feasibility: The project has clear and realistic goals, timeframe, work plan, and budget demonstrating that the grant funds will be utilized efficiently and effectively
• Applicability: The pre-hospital care component is clearly defined with stated need(s) and outcome(s)

GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

The Foundation will announce the Grant Application Process and make an online link available. Receipt of this announcement will serve as official notification of the commencement of the Foundation’s grant program for the succeeding year in accordance with the grant cycle discussed above. Rescue squad entities considering applying for a grant should refer to the Grant Application Package for detailed instructions on how to apply for a grant.

Eligible candidates interested in applying for a grant from the Foundation must submit the Grant Application Form included with the Grant Application Package by the advertised deadline. Applicants should contact the Foundation via telephone or e-mail with any questions pertaining to the application process.
The Foundation will appoint a Grant Review Committee. Grant applications will be reviewed and prioritized in accordance with the criteria described above.

Funding recommendations for the successful applications will be presented to the Foundation’s Board of Directors for consideration. If a grant is awarded, the applicant will be asked to sign a Grant Agreement that outlines the conditions of the award, such as annual reporting. Applicants whose grants are not approved will be sent a letter of declination at this stage outlining the reason for disapproval.

GRANT REPORTING

The Foundation requires a grant report for all approved grants. A grant report for any previous grant must be on file before the next grant will be awarded. A schedule of report due dates will be included with the award document.

Contact Information:

Gina Benefiel
Executive Director
Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation
740 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
757-437-0968
757-437-0967 (fax)
gbenefiel@vbrescuefoundation.org
www.vbrescuefoundation.org