Jack Lewis Safety Fund is sponsored by Walter Scott Family Foundation. Provides financial support for rural first responders to obtain critical safety resources, including essential equipment, protective gear, training, and facility improvements. Priority is given to projects with local fundraising matches.

Geographic focus: Rural Nebraska and southwest Iowa (Harrison, Mills, and Pottawattamie counties)

Focus areas: Public Safety, First Responders, Equipment, Emergency Services, Training

Jack Lewis Safety Fund - Walter Scott Family Foundation The Jack Lewis Safety Fund (JLSF) was established in 2018 to honor the life and volunteer spirit of Dr. Jack K. Lewis, M. D.

(1934-2016) — a physician, educator and lifelong advocate for those who dedicate their lives to serving others. A longtime friend of the Scott family, Dr. Lewis spent more than 40 years as Omaha Central High School’s athletic physician and later served as president of the Omaha Police Foundation, where he championed the safety and well-being of first responders.

The Jack Lewis Safety Fund was created to provide critical safety resources for police, fire and EMS departments in rural communities across Nebraska and southwest Iowa. First-time applicants will need to create an organization profile before applying.

Funding is available for organizations seeking grants within the following areas: Essential equipment and protective gear such as personal protective equipment, helmets, first-aid kits and other operational supplies needed to ensure responder and public safety. Training and preparedness or certification programs that enhance readiness, emergency response or community protection capabilities.

Facility and infrastructure improvements for department facilities in need of updates or renovations that improve safety, accessibility or operational efficiency. All Jack Lewis Safety Fund grant applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online grant portal . Applications submitted via email will not be accepted.

Grants support police, fire and EMS departments in rural Nebraska and southwest Iowa communities (Mills, Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties) focused on safety and readiness. Departments can apply for funding to enhance operations, equipment or training that improves the safety of both first responders and residents. Please reach out to our staff via the contact page or call (402) 502-0062 with any questions.

Maximum grant request: $50,000 Applicants can apply once per year at any time, with review occurring in the next cycle following submission. Spring 2026 cycle: Closes March 15. Awards announced late May-early June.

Fall 2026 cycle: Closes September 1. Awards announced late November-early December. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate local fundraising efforts, community collaboration or partnerships that strengthen the overall impact of the project.

The following items are required for your grant application to be considered: Project budget (an itemized list including priority, quantity, unit cost and total cost) Quotes, catalog pages or price documentation for all requested items Photos or supporting materials showing project need or community support Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the application process at least two weeks prior to a cycle deadline.

Applications received after the deadline will be held for review during the following cycle. For information on requirements, notification processes and more, see our how we fund page. Eligibility requirements.

To be considered for funding, applicants must meet all the following criteria: Department must serve a Nebraska community with 5,000 or fewer residents, or be located in Mills, Harrison or Pottawattamie Counties in southwest Iowa. Applicants must be a municipality, first responder department structured as a government entity or nonprofit, a rural fire district or similar fiscal agent.

Private EMS providers and regional health systems are not eligible at this time. Equipment and personal protection gear: helmets, turnout gear, first aid kits, etc. Training: certification programs or readiness activities that enhance emergency response. Facility improvements: safety-related building updates or operational enhancements.

Note: requests for reimbursement of past purchases or to retire debt will not be considered. Departments that received funding in previous years may apply again annually. Applicant organizations must not discriminate in hiring practices or in providing services based on race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or military service.

The Jack Lewis Safety Fund: Recognizing service and impact. As a physician, educator and lifelong advocate for first responders, Dr. Lewis left behind a legacy of service, compassion and commitment to those who put the safety of others first. Since the creation of the JLSF, the Foundation has supported over 100 rural communities, providing more than $2.

3 million in grants for life-saving equipment, facility upgrades and training programs. 2025 | Bayard Police Department Received funds to replace portable radios. 2024 | Hickman Fire and Rescue Awarded funds to strengthen technical rescue operations, including a rescue boat and waterproof extrication tool.

2023 | David City Police Department Granted support for mental health trainings for police officers. 2022 | Neola Fire and Rescue Received funds to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus equipment. Apply for the Jack Lewis Safety Fund.

Have questions about eligibility, application steps or reporting? Reach out to us through our contact page or call (402) 502-0062. Who is eligible to apply for the Jack Lewis Safety Fund?

Police, fire and EMS departments in Nebraska communities with 5,000 or fewer residents, as well as departments in Mills, Harrison, and Pottawattamie Counties in southwest Iowa. Can we apply again if we’ve received a grant in the past? Yes.

Departments may apply once per year, regardless of prior funding history. Do we need to include documentation or quotes with our request? Yes.

All applications must include an itemized project budget and quotes or catalog pages verifying the cost of each item. Applications missing these materials will not be considered. Please refer to the example project budget below for more information.

Wildland Gear Set (Pant & Shirt When are applications due? Two funding cycles are offered annually: Spring Cycle: Opens February 1, closes April 1 (awards announced May–June) Fall Cycle: Opens June 15, closes September 1 (awards announced November–December) Applications submitted outside of these periods will be reviewed in the next cycle. What tips can help make my application more successful?

The Jack Lewis Safety Fund is highly competitive, and applications that are complete, well-documented and clearly demonstrate community support stand out. To strengthen your request: Complete every field and include all required attachments — incomplete applications will not be considered. Many communities are applying for ambulance funding; wait to apply until your remaining fundraising balance is under $100,000.

Use an active email address and phone number that staff can reach if questions arise during the review process. Show local commitment — projects with strong local fundraising or community collaboration are often prioritized. Explore our other grant opportunities.

Advancing Nebraska Communities