Funding Options for Deploying Outdoor AEDs in Your Community to Save Lives
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) claims thousands of lives each year, and having outdoor, accessible Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) can mean the difference between life and death. However, acquiring and maintaining AEDs for community spaces can be a challenge due to funding. In today’s economy, most budgets are stretched, and priority is usually given to funding the urgent-often at the expense of the merely important.
First, know this: AEDs may not be as expensive as you think. What if everyone understood that for the price of a laptop computer, you could actually save the life of a loved one, friend, or neighbor in your community? Sometimes, to help get these important life-saving projects started, we’ve even been known to donate AEDs and outdoor, all-weather, smart cabinets as part of a larger product. Please call us to learn more…
At SaveHeart, we work with communities and organizations nationwide to deploy highly visible, rugged, American-made, temperature-controlled smart cabinets to enable 24/7 access to AEDs wherever people congregate. Here are some ways to secure the necessary funding to do it right.
AED Funding Opportunities
Grants
Many organizations and government agencies provide grants specifically for health and safety initiatives, including AEDs, cabinets, and related accessories.
- American Heart Association Grants: The AHA often supports community initiatives that improve cardiovascular health.
- FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants: These grants can fund equipment, including AEDs, for first responders and community safety programs.
- Local Community Foundations: Many foundations have health-related grant categories and are eager to support life-saving equipment.
Tip: Search for grants online and tailor your application to emphasize the positive impact of placing accessible AEDs throughout your school or community.
Corporate Sponsorships
You can partner with local businesses to sponsor AED deployments. In exchange, offer public acknowledgment through signage or community events. These organizations love to give back and are looking for ways to differentiate themselves and help the people in their communities.
- Healthcare Providers: Hospitals and clinics often support initiatives that align with their mission.
- Local Businesses: Grocery stores, gyms, and other community hubs are excellent potential sponsors.
- Larger Corporations: Reach out to regional branches of national companies that emphasize community involvement in their corporate social responsibility programs.
Tip: Stress the marketing benefits for sponsors—supporting/sponsoring AED placement highlights their commitment to saving lives and promoting public health and welfare.
Fundraising Campaigns
Grassroots efforts can raise significant funds while engaging your community.
- Crowdfunding Platforms: Websites like GoFundMe or Kickstarter allow you to tell your story and collect donations.
- Community Events: Host a charity run, bake sale, or benefit concert to bring people together for a good cause.
- Direct Donations: Set up a donation box or system at local businesses, schools, or community centers.
- Booster Clubs: School boosters or community foundations
Tip: Use social media to amplify your fundraising efforts and share personal stories about how AEDs can save lives.
Public-Private Partnerships
Collaborate with municipal governments and private organizations to share costs. Many cities and towns already budget for public health and safety initiatives, and they might match funds or help with installation.
- City Governments: Work with parks departments, public safety teams, or local councils to align with their health priorities.
- Local Schools or Universities: Institutions often have funding or grant access to enhance campus safety.
Tip: Emphasize how outdoor AEDs align with broader safety and emergency preparedness goals.
Non-Profit Support and AED-Specific Programs
Certain non-profits and AED manufacturers offer funding, discounts, or even free devices for eligible organizations.
- Parent Heart Watch: A national organization with hundreds of member organizations nationwide solely dedicated to protecting children and young adults from
sudden cardiac arrest and preventable sudden cardiac death, often through AED donations. - The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation: Provides resources and support for acquiring AEDs.
- AED Manufacturers: Often have donation programs and offer significant discounts for community initiatives.
- Rotary Clubs. Lions Club and Other Civic Groups: Local chapters often have funding available for community health and safety.
Tip: Research non-profits aligned with health and safety initiatives and build relationships with their local chapters. Remember, these organizations also benefit from supporting high-profile initiatives like AED placements because of their impact on improving public health and safety.
Creative Community Approaches
Don’t underestimate the power of innovative solutions tailored to your community. You can offer subscription models with smaller donations over a longer period of time, memorial funds, or even an Adopt-an-AED Program. Please contact SaveHeart for some creative advice and assistance.
Making “Priceless” Affordable
You can’t put a cost on saving a life. Still, you have to find the funding. Outdoor AEDs can make a profound impact on community safety, but they require funding and support. By tapping into these resources—grants, sponsorships, fundraising, partnerships, and non-profit programs—you can turn your vision of life-saving AEDs into a reality.
Start small, think creatively, and engage your community. Together, we can make accessible AEDs a standard in every neighborhood, indoors and outside, ensuring swift, lifesaving responses in emergencies. If any of this seems overwhelming, remember that SaveHeart has 25 years of experience in creating and supporting AED programs, with a pioneering approach and focus on making AEDs available outside on a 24x basis. There are lots of ways to get things done. The key is to start.
Do you have questions, ideas, or success stories about funding AEDs in your area? Please share them with us!
SaveHeart by Heart Nation is dedicated to making life-saving technology accessible to everyone, anytime, anyplace. With our smart-monitored AED cabinets and program expertise, communities can feel confident knowing they are prepared to respond effectively to sudden cardiac emergencies.
Proudly ‘“Made in the USA,” SaveHeart’s highly visible, alarmed, lighted, temperature-controlled, and 24×7 monitored outdoor cabinets provide immediate visibility & access to lifesaving AEDs, Stop the Bleed Kits, Narcan, and other emergency supplies.
For more information on implementing an AED program in your community or to learn about our American-made, highly visible AED cases, visit us at SaveHeart by Heart Nation.