Sponsorships

Partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) means increasing your brand recognition, building relations, and boosting sales leads. There are many different collaboration opportunities for your company.

Use the tabs on this page to learn more about each opportunity, or download the PowerPoint version of our sponsorship toolkit here. A sponsorship snapshot is available as a PDF here. If you have any questions, are ready to get started, or are interested in discussing a customized partnership, fill out this form or contact Christine Zahn, corporate relations manager, at 202.887.5700 x120 or christine@nvfc.org.

What is the NVFC?

The NVFC is the face of the volunteer. As the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services, it’s our mission to serve and support more than two-thirds of the total fire service in the U.S.

The needs of volunteer first responders are great – and sponsorships provide an opportunity to be a part of ongoing efforts to bring training, education, and resources to the volunteer first responder community.

In a 2022 membership survey, members told us they need:

These are all areas that your company can support.

Why Partner With the NVFC?

Sponsorships are a strategic way to:

  • Increase brand recognition
  • Build relations
  • Increase sales leads by partnering on high-profile activities

With a strong base of 32,000+ members, the NVFC has your audience. Through its valued benefits, resources, training and education, programs and advocacy, NVFC’s reach continues to grow every year.

NVFC is also unique in that its leadership is made up of representatives of 47 state fire service associations. This network provides perspective as well as a network of experts with extension into the volunteer boots on the ground – in their state and nationally.

NVFC partners receive various integrated outreach opportunities such as training, meeting participation, and advertising. Additionally, partners have the unique position to:

We’re committed to offering you a valuable and effective custom package that is developed to fit your company’s goals.

Learn more about the NVFC and our initiatives by reviewing our 2023 Annual Report and Annual Report Infographic:

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Joining the NVFC as a corporate member affiliates your brand with the leading organization serving and supporting the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue forces.


As a corporate member, you’ll receive:

The NVFC will listen and work with you to build a program that fits your needs and budget. Whether you want a unique program, product giveaway, or individual sponsorship, you’ll get visibility and a solid team behind you.

What’s included with corporate membership*:

  • Multi-channel marketing plan that may include announcements in newsletters, NVFC web site, social posts, & eblasts
  • Opportunities for direct access to conference attendees and NVFC leadership
  • Opportunities to address meeting attendees & webinar registrants
  • Access to registration lists
  • Opportunities to be seen as an industry authority through webinars, presentations at meetings, and thought-leader articles
  • Opportunity to provide giveaways and member discounts
  • Administrative support
  • Opportunity to broaden your brand
  • Special corporate member rate on NVFC advertising opportunities

* Benefits vary based on sponsor package

There are five levels of corporate membership, so you can select the level that aligns with your company’s goals. Learn more about the benefits of each level and join at www.nvfc.org/join (scroll down to the corporate membership dropdown). View our current corporate members here.

Training is consistently the number one resource requested by NVFC members. Involvement via sponsorship can help your company build a presence through virtual training, conferences, and meetings.

Virtual Classroom

Course topics include:

The Virtual Classroom is the NVFC’s online learning center with on-demand and self-paced courses delivered by fire and emergency service subject matter experts. Sponsored courses provide volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue forces the ability to learn and be better prepared and equipped to do their jobs and serve their communities. With the cost-savings of online learning, this is a highly sought-after training option.

You can choose to either sponsor an existing NVFC course or sponsor the development of a new course. In return, you will receive:

  • 3-month visibility and recognition
  • Logo on title page as sponsor
  • Logo, 2-3 sentence company statement, and URL on last slide as training sponsor
  • Sponsor recognition in training promotion
  • Opportunity to provide content expert
  • Opt-in registration list
  • Full NVFC administrative support

Cost: $1,500* existing and available course / $3,500* development of a new course

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

*Webinars with assigned instructors

*Webinars with assigned instructors

Train Strong Webinar Series

The Train Strong webinar series provides topical and timely information and education monthly. Sponsored webinars allow for education to be timely, diverse, and have the capacity to respond to emerging issues quickly. Webinars also allow for the flexibility to listen live or watch the recording when it’s convenient. The Train Strong webinars are free, very popular, and have very positive survey results.

Corporate sponsors receive:

  • Webinar administered and hosted by the NVFC
  • Logo on title page as sponsor
  • Logo, 2-3 sentence company statement, and URL on last slide
  • Sponsor recognition in pre- and post-promotion
  • Opportunity to provide content expert
  • Opportunity to invite customer to provide context on how product/service has helped them
  • Opportunity to introduce speaker(s) and up to a minute company promo
  • Opt-in registration list

Cost: $1,800*

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

 

 

 

 

Roundtable Talks​

Roundtable Talk topics in 2024 (subject to change):

*Tied to a specific month to correspond with national events

Roundtable Talks are delivered monthly via Zoom and Facebook and provide another way to reach out to the NVFC audience with topical and timely information. Sponsored discussions allow the NVFC to react quickly and bring together the right combination of experts. By broadcasting them simultaneously on Zoom and Facebook they also enable a wider audience.

Corporate sponsors receive:

  • Discussion administered and hosted by the NVFC
  • Sponsor recognition at the beginning and end of the session
  • Logo, 2-3 sentence company statement on promotions (Dispatch, eblasts)
  • Recognition in social media posts
  • Opportunity to provide content expert
  • Increased brand awareness among a wider audience

Cost: $1,500*

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

Board Meetings

Available opportunities and their costs:

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

The NVFC Spring and Fall Meetings are a gathering of 100 influential national leaders – the NVFC board of directors (state fire service association representatives), corporate members, fire service partners, allied association executives and officers, and government officials. Being a part of an NVFC board meeting is a key strategy to meet with state association influencers all at one time and get the pulse of the volunteer community.

Meeting sponsors receive:

  • Opportunity to meet and network with state fire service association leadership
  • Logo recognition on all meeting materials
  • Meeting visibility with signage & podium recognition
  • Complimentary registration (number based on sponsor level)
  • Opportunity to speak
  • And more

Key 2025 dates:

  • Spring Meeting — May 8-10, 2025, Alexandria, VA
  • Fall Meeting — September 22-24, 2025, Rapid City, SD

Training Summit

Available opportunities and their costs:

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

The Training Summit is a 2-day event that focuses on critical fire and emergency service topics including leadership, responder health & safety, and volunteer recruitment & retention. This is a popular event for fire chiefs, firefighters, and department leadership that come from across the U.S. Sponsors have direct access to attendees at featured social events.

Corporate sponsors receive:

  • Logo recognition on all meeting materials & web site
  • Meeting visibility with signage & podium recognition
  • One complimentary registration
  • Company information on resource table and in Meeting App
  • Speaking opportunities
  • Table to demonstrate, pass out material, and speak to attendees
  • Opt-in registration list (pre- & post-event)

Key 2025 dates:

NVFC First Responder Helpline

Being a first responder can take a serious toll on mental health as well as relationships and physical well-being. Unfortunately, many volunteer fire and EMS departments aren’t equipped with an employee assistance program (EAP) or immediate resources to assist. Thanks to the NVFC’s First Responder Helpline, offered through Provident, accessing help is now a phone call away.

Supporting the NVFC’s national helpline will get critical care to its more than 32,000 members and their families. This member benefit provides immediate access to help with up to five free confidential counseling sessions as well as consultations and resource referrals on any number of stressors – job, family, financial – as well as mental health/suicide crisis.

Your financial commitment will ensure our heroes are taken care of in their time of need.

There are four levels of support available. Partners will be recognized for a 12-month period, which includes:

View the sponsorship levels and details here.

The NVFC provides several mediums for advertising:

Dispatch Newsletter

Dispatch is a bi-weekly e-publication providing news, information, NVFC training announcements, and links to resources. Subscribers include NVFC members. Issues are limited to four advertisers.

Subscribers: 32,934
Average Open Rate: 31%

Rate: $400/insert*

Size: 540px x 90px

NOTE: NVFC Corporate Members receive complimentary ads based on membership level and receive 20% discount off published rates for additional ads.

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

The Latest Newsletter

The Latest is the bi-weekly e-newsletter providing articles and information on recruitment and retention topics. Subscriber database includes department personnel who have signed up on the Make Me A Firefighter ™ portal. Ad space limited to one advertiser per issue.

Subscribers: 13,741
Average Open Rate: 33%

Rate: $300/insert*

Size: 540px x 90px

NOTE: NVFC Corporate Members receive complimentary ads based on membership level and receive 20% discount off published rates for additional ads.

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

The Training Times Newsletter

The Training Times announces upcoming trainings including webinars and Roundtable Talks. It goes out weekly on Friday. Ad space limited to one ad per issue.

Subscribers: 36,666
Average Open Rate: 33%

Rate: $400/insert*

Size: 540px x 90px

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

Web Site

Advertising appears in the upper right corner of interior pages and runs for 30 days.

12-month visit average: 27,483 visits/month
Average unique monthly visitors: 25,006
Average monthly pageviews: 49,255

*must contract for 12 months to receive discounted rate

Size: 120px x 300px

NOTE: NVFC Corporate Members receive complimentary ads based on membership level and receive 20% discount off published rates for additional ads.

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

Firefighter Strong

The NVFC’s annual print publication, Firefighter Strong, is a 24-page newsletter that gets mailed to 24,000 volunteer and combination fire departments, distributed at trade shows and events, and emailed to the NVFC’s 30,000+ subscriber list. This popular publication features content relating to the health and safety of emergency responders and includes limited advertising for maximum exposure.

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

Hazmat Travel Stipends

The NVFC will be offering hazmat train-the-trainer throughout 2024 in locations all over the U.S. Attendees will be taking time away from family as well as bearing the cost to get there (training is free). To make it easier for volunteers to attend, travel stipends will be given. These will be reimbursable and up to $500 each.

Sponsorship allows for firefighters to attend needed Hazmat Training.

Cost: $500* per stipend (+admin fee)

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

Program Resources

Be part of our “We’ve Got Your Back” campaign. The needs of our members and the volunteer fire, rescue, and EMS community are vast. We’re here to make sure they have the tools and resources they need. Support will go into identified resources such as:

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

NVFC Awards

Please note: 2024 award sponsorships are now sold out

Each year the NVFC recognizes outstanding achievement by individuals who have made a significant contribution to their department, local area, state, and/or national arena.

Sponsoring an award helps support the award process and allows the recipient and one guest to attend the award celebration held at the annual NVFC Spring Board Meeting.

Sponsors receive significant recognition throughout the application period, press releases and articles, presentation booklet, and name on the award along with the opportunity to co-present.

Awards:

  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Chief James P. Seavey, Sr. Health & Wellness Leadership
  • Junior Firefighter
  • National Junior Firefighter Program

Cost: $7,000* each

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member

Heather Schafer Memorial Scholarship Fund

In memory of the legacy of long-time NVFC CEO Heather Schafer, a scholarship fund was established. This scholarship recognizes exemplary future leaders in public safety for their work to improve the delivery of the fire and emergency services in the areas of health, safety, leadership and emergency response. Qualifying individuals will be able to attend and participate in NVFC in-person training.

Sponsorship allows for scholarship recipients to attend NVFC in-person training.

Cost: $1,500* per scholarship

*Additional 25% fee if not an NVFC corporate member