What is Funding Navigator?

Funding Navigator is a grant funding platform and professional services firm that helps fire departments, law enforcement agencies, EMS providers, municipalities, and nonprofits find and secure grants — without hiring expensive consultants. It provides AI-powered grant matching, expert grant writing, project planning, and post-award compliance services. The company has helped 500+ public safety agencies secure over $47 million in funding at up to 90% less than traditional consultants.

What types of organizations does Funding Navigator serve?

Funding Navigator serves fire departments (career and volunteer), law enforcement agencies (police and sheriff), EMS and ambulance services, emergency management offices, municipalities and local governments, K-12 schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits across the United States.

What grants does Funding Navigator help with?

Funding Navigator helps organizations secure: FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), FEMA SAFER Grant, FEMA BRIC, FEMA HMGP, COPS Office Hiring Program, Byrne JAG, USDA Community Facilities, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), state grants, private foundation grants, congressional earmarks, and more — totaling over $1 trillion in annual funding.

How much does Funding Navigator cost?

Funding Navigator is up to 90% cheaper than traditional grant consultants, who typically charge $5,000–$20,000+ per application. Pricing depends on the services required. A free consultation is available, and organizations can join for free to access the Fund Finder tool.

How does Funding Navigator work?

Funding Navigator works in 3 steps: (1) You describe your project need — building, equipment, staffing, or technology. (2) The platform matches you with the grants you're most likely to win. (3) Expert grant writers guide your team through the application with review at every stage. The process is 80% faster than applying without assistance.

Can volunteer fire departments use Funding Navigator?

Yes. Funding Navigator works with fire departments of all sizes — from small all-volunteer departments to large urban career departments. Volunteer and rural departments often have advantages with FEMA AFG and private grants that prioritize underserved communities.

What is the FEMA AFG grant?

The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is one of the most important federal grants for fire departments, providing funding for equipment, vehicles, training, and wellness programs. Funding Navigator has extensive experience helping fire departments apply for and win AFG funding.

What is the SAFER grant?

The FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant helps fire departments hire and retain firefighters. It is one of the largest federal grants available to fire departments. Funding Navigator helps eligible departments navigate the SAFER application process.

Does Funding Navigator help with 501(c)(3) formation?

Yes. Funding Navigator provides full 501(c)(3) nonprofit formation services including Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, IRS Form 1023 application, SAM.gov registration, and DUNS/UEI setup — everything a fire department or public safety organization needs to establish a supporting foundation and access private grants.

What is the average grant size Funding Navigator clients receive?

The average grant secured through Funding Navigator is $209,000. Results vary depending on the project type, organization size, and funding source. Funding Navigator focuses on matching organizations with the highest-value opportunities for their specific needs.

What are congressional earmarks and can Funding Navigator help?

Congressional earmarks (Community Project Funding / Congressionally Directed Spending) are direct funding allocations secured through a U.S. Representative or Senator. In FY2024, over $14.6 billion was allocated through earmarks. Funding Navigator helps organizations identify and pursue earmark opportunities for infrastructure and capital projects.

How is Funding Navigator different from a traditional grant consultant?

Traditional grant consultants charge $5,000–$20,000+ per application and handle one grant at a time. Funding Navigator provides expert writing, matching, and compliance support at up to 90% less cost, while simultaneously pursuing multiple grants — giving clients 24x more applications per year and building long-term funding capacity.

What is Funding Navigator?

Funding Navigator - Find and win the grants your organization needs. Simple tools to discover funding, submit applications, and get expert support every step of the way.

What are SHSP and UASI?

The State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) are two of the core grants under DHS's Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). They provide funding to build, sustain, and deliver the capabilities necessary to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism.

What's the difference between SHSP and UASI?

SHSP supports state, local, tribal, and territorial preparedness activities across all 56 states and territories. UASI focuses specifically on high-threat, high-density urban areas designated by DHS — providing funding to address the unique risk and capability needs of those metropolitan regions.

Who is eligible to apply?

SHSP funds flow through State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) to local jurisdictions as subawards. UASI is awarded directly to designated urban areas. Local fire, law enforcement, EMS, emergency management, and public health agencies typically participate as subrecipients within their state or urban area allocation.

What are the National Priority Areas?

DHS designates national priority areas annually. Recent priorities have included enhancing cybersecurity, soft-target hardening, intelligence and information sharing, election security, and community preparedness. A minimum percentage of SHSP/UASI funds must be spent on these priorities.

What is the period of performance?

SHSP and UASI awards typically have a 36-month (3-year) period of performance, giving recipients time to plan, procure, train, and execute large capability-building projects.

Do you charge contingency or success-based fees?

No. In full compliance with DHS and FEMA grant program regulations, all our services are offered on a flat-fee basis. We never charge contingency fees or success-based compensation tied to award outcomes.

What happens after I submit the form?

A member of our team will follow up within one business day to schedule a consultation, learn about your jurisdiction's capability gaps and priorities, and walk you through the SHSP/UASI preparation workflow.

SHSP/UASI · FY 2026 cycle

A better way to secure SHSP & UASI: fast, effective, affordable.

Modern grant support built for today's homeland security and emergency response community — designed to fund the capabilities that prevent, prepare for, and respond to acts of terrorism.

Funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to acts of terrorism
Up to 80% faster than traditional grant writing
Expert-built, data-driven applications that win
Flat-rate pricing that fits any agency's budget

Terrorism prevention

Critical infrastructure

Flat-fee pricing

U.S. Department of Homeland Security seal

$1.3B+

Annual HSGP funding

Investment priorities

3 years

Period of performance

80%

Faster than traditional

SHSP/UASI window closing soon — limited availability

Start Here

Start Your SHSP/UASI Application

Tell us about your jurisdiction and we'll follow up with next steps.

Compliance Commitment

We are committed to full compliance with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA grant program regulations governing the Homeland Security Grant Program. Our services are offered on a flat-fee basis, with no contingency fees or success-based compensation structures. We do not charge fees based on the outcome of grant applications, ensuring transparency and adherence to federal guidelines. For detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs under SHSP and UASI, please refer to the official DHS/FEMA Notice of Funding Opportunity and program guidance documents.

Why Funding Navigator

Funding success with less effort.

Purpose-built tools, expert coaching, and a workflow that respects how busy emergency managers, planners, and grant coordinators actually work.

Terrorism prevention

Build a strong case around intelligence, fusion centers, soft-target hardening, and prevention programs aligned with national priorities.

Communications & interoperability

Fund interoperable communications, public alert systems, and the technology that connects responders across agencies.

Critical infrastructure

Position cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and election security investments for SHSP and UASI review.

Move 80% faster

Skip the blank-page paralysis. Structured prompts and templates accelerate every section.

Built to win

Application frameworks built by people who understand what FEMA and DHS reviewers prioritize for HSGP.

Transparent pricing

No contingency or success fees. Flat-fee structure aligned to DHS program rules.

Q&A

Common Questions

Practical answers about SHSP and UASI eligibility, national priorities, performance periods, and how our flat-fee support works.

Ready to win SHSP/UASI?

The State Homeland Security Program & Urban Area Security Initiative (SHSP/UASI) window is closing soon. Talk with our team and get a clear path to submission.