The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) is pleased to announce more than $1 million in grant funding available to Florida sheriffs. These dollars were approved by the FSA Board of Directors to assist small and medium sized offices with bulletproof vests, equipment and training that is necessary to ensure Florida’s communities are protected. Since the establishment of these three unique grant opportunities in 2019, more than $1,890,000 of FSA funds have been provided to sheriffs’ offices.

The FSA Bulletproof Vest Grant Program is helping sheriffs’ offices acquire more lifesaving bulletproof vests. This grant will ultimately provide 321 vests to deputies, marine patrol and K-9s. This program is designed to assist fiscally constrained counties.

The FSA Shared Asset Program provides funds for regional sharing of assets such as boats, drones, utility terrain vehicles and trailers. The sharing of resources enhances sheriffs’ abilities to respond to the needs of their communities and their neighbors. Shared assets make sheriffs stronger – whether through coordinated Florida Sheriffs Task Force efforts or responding to natural disasters and other emergencies.

The FSA Training Scholarship Program grants scholarships to offices with limited financial resources to attend FSA training events and conferences. The stipend reimburses a person’s total travel expenses so funding does not prohibit deputies or other key sheriffs’ office personnel from attending training. 

These 21 sheriffs’ offices collectively received a total of $238,954 in Bulletproof Vest Grant Awards:

These 13 agencies collectively received a total of $631,686.00 in Shared Asset Program Grants:

“It is critical for all sheriffs’ offices to have the proper equipment and training, no matter their size,” said Florida Sheriffs Association President and Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz. “Being able to protect all of our communities throughout Florida, especially in times of emergencies, is a driving force why the sheriffs and the FSA believe the Grant Program is a staple to continuing all-time lows in crime.”

The Training Scholarship Grant Program awards are continuously being approved and four recipients recently attended the FSA 2021 Winter Conference in January for training from these grants.

Grants are made possible due to the outstanding support of FSA members. FSA is a membership driven and mission-focused organization. FSA members show their tangible support to Florida’s sheriffs, deputies, correctional officers, and other personnel who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. Other member benefits are available at www.flsheriffs.org/membership/.

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About Florida Sheriffs Association:
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 90,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has steadfastly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit www.flsheriffs.org.