Firehouse Subs: Have a hook and ladder with your grant request

One of my favorite movie quotes came from the 2003 movie Swat with Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J where Captain Fuller takes two SWAT operators in his office and proceeds to say "Sometimes doing the right thing isn't doing the right thing."

In the case of normal business operations, the Sorenson Brothers aren't doing the right thing, but for their brothers and sisters in police, fire, and EMS, they are proving that doing the right things isn't necessarily doing the right thing.

Since their original beginnings more than 17 years ago, the Sorenson Brothers have spread the taste of great firehouse foods to 26 states across the US with more than 440 restaurants available to visit.

With sandwiches like the Hook and Ladder, or the New York Steamer, the Sorenson Brothers have prided themselves with providing the best quality meats, cheeses, and toppings for their fire-related sandwiches, creating a unique niche restaurant.

However, quality food and service is not the only thing that the owners of Firehouse Subs can pride themselves on.

Although business is typically in the business of making money, through the Firehouse Subs Foundation, the Sorenson Brothers have taken philanthropy to a new level.

While the grant process for the Firehouse Subs Foundation grants are much less intensive than the requirements for the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program, if you are not prepared, you will miss the opportunity to apply and miss out on funding that could support vital operations within your organization.

Now, you may be asking, "what can I possibly get from Firehouse Subs?" While the paperwork says that the average grant award is roughly $10,000, you have the potential for double that amount.

There are some restrictions that apply to the awarding of this grant, such as:

• Must be a public safety entity (Police, Fire, or EMS).
• Must be located within 30 miles of a Firehouse Subs Restaurant.
• Request cannot exceed $20,000 (average donation is worth $10,000).
• Must be a direct request (not a second party application).
• All applications must be mailed and received by the closing date.
• If your department has already received funding from the Foundation, you must wait a minimum of one year before submitting another application.

As mentioned, there are deadlines that you have to take into account, but to ensure that each agency has the opportunity to apply for this grant, the deadlines are broken up throughout the year, allowing four separate times to apply.

If you are requesting equipment, the Firehouse Subs foundation will require you to work with preapproved vendors, with which they have negotiated better pricing, and will require documentation that you received the equipment prior to paying the invoice.

In addition to requesting equipment, your agency has the opportunity to increase community awareness by applying for educational/prevention materials.

You can also strive to increase the knowledge within your department by requesting funds for continuing education or even scholarships.

Normal business mentality engrains profitability into people's heads; however, the Sorenson brothers have shed the typical business model, and have chosen success by aiding their fellow brothers and sisters in need through the Firehouse Subs Foundation.

The nature of this foundation will also allow those that are looking for a good philanthropic foundation to donate their money.

Visit the Firehouse Subs Foundation and learn more.

Remember, public safety personnel will always tell you that success is where opportunity meets preparation.