Millions of dollars in grant money is set aside each year to provide funding for police equipment, training and even K-9 units. These grants allow law enforcement the ability to purchase new vehicles, upgrade older models and install technology in the vehicles.
The Wal-Mart Community Grants Program will match any funds police officers raise with a grant. This means if your group raises $5,000 for new vehicles, Wal-Mart could award you a matching grant for $5,000. On average, Wal-Mart gives 70,000 to 80,000 matching grants a year. The application has open deadlines meaning a group can apply at any time during the year. In 2009, the program awarded $61 million in grants.
Wal-Mart Foundation
Walmartfoundation.org
This Special Program Assistance grant is specifically to equip SWAT teams with vehicles and equipment that they may not have the funding to obtain. To apply for SPA-NTOA grants there must be an NTOA team in place. This is an equipment donation program; no money is awarded. Equipment and vehicles are sent directly to the police headquarters.
National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
P.O. Box 797
Doylestown, PA 18901
ntoa.org
The Border Enforcement Grants Program is for state and local law enforcement in the following states; Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Washington. Normally the grant gives 10,000 to 12,000 grants a year that total $32 million. The grant is designed to assist police and law enforcement officers carry out their responsibilities in their jurisdictions. The grants are not limited to vehicles and can also be used for equipment and training.
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-3771
dot.gov
Public entities such as municipalities, counties, and others in rural areas with towns of 20,000 or less are eligible for vehicle loans and grants through USDA Rural Development. The amount of grant assistance for project costs depends upon the median household income of the service area and the population in the community where the vehicle is housed, as well as the availability of grant funds. In most instances, projects that receive grant assistance have a high priority and are highly leveraged with other loan and grant awards. Grant assistance may be available for up to 75 percent of eligible project costs. Grant funding limitations are based on population and income, economic feasibility, and availability of funds.
USDA Rural Development
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250-0107
rurdev.usda.gov
