Firefighters face intense physical and emotional demands every time they respond to a call. The job is relentless- requiring courage, strength and a willingness to sacrifice.
But when the uniform comes off and the long shift is over, many firefighters are left grappling with the long-term effects of a profession that takes a toll on their bodies and minds.
The Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation exists for these men and women who’ve given so much in service to others. Its mission is to provide direct assistance to sick or injured firefighters across the country.
Derek Turner
Whether they’re battling cancer, recovering from job-related injuries or navigating post-traumatic stress, the foundation delivers tangible help when it’s needed most.
Backed by the popular veteran- and firefighter-owned company Fire Department Coffee, the foundation has become a trusted resource within the firefighting community; one built on empathy, urgency and extraordinary respect for the fire service.
What began with a passion for roasting high-quality coffee has grown into a nationally recognized brand, with Fire Department Coffee now sold in major retail giants like Walmart. As the company’s reach expanded, so has its ability to give back.
Every bag of coffee, every shirt, hat, sticker, or pin that it sells is an opportunity to support firefighters in need.
The Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation operates on a simple premise- when one member of the fire service community is in need, thousands more stand ready to help. That commitment is visible in the foundation’s approach; fast, flexible and deeply personal.
Luke Schneider, Founder and CEO of Fire Department Coffee said: “Our mission has always been simple. We take care of our own and when one of us is down, we rally behind them.”
That spirit is reflected in the foundation’s growing list of impact stories.
When retired Fire Chief Hugh Stott was diagnosed with ALS, the disease quickly limited his mobility. The Foundation stepped in to provide a specialized wheelchair, restoring some measure of freedom and honoring a man who had spent his life serving others.
In Lafayette, Indiana, the foundation provided a $10,000 donation to support a firefighter undergoing cancer treatment. The check was presented by the firefighter’s own department, a powerful symbol of solidarity made possible through charitable support.
Fire Dept. Coffee has also been an annual contributor to the Illinois Fire Service Institute, including the organization’s Veterans in the Fire Service program. Schneider, FDC’s founder, is a Navy veteran who joined the military in 2004 as a step toward his goal of a firefighting career.
In addition to supporting sick and injured firefighters, the company has expanded its efforts to support first responders during disaster relief efforts.
They’ve partnered Rosenbauer, the world’s largest manufacturer of custom fire trucks, to create a fully loaded Avenger to deploy to the sites of natural disasters. Dubbed Rescue-1, the truck is stocked with essentials gear and relief items, and of course, coffee to support first responders and citizens during the most stressful times.
In recent months, Rescue-1 has traveled across the country from California, where first responders battled raging wildfires, to the mountains of North Carolina, where volunteer firefighters carried their communities through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
At the heart of the foundation’s sustainability is a unique model, every purchase or subscription through the monthly Fire Department Coffee Club and Fire Department Shirt Club helps fuel the Foundation’s mission. But, the company’s monthly Coffee Club and Shirt Club have emerged as reliable engines of support.
Each month, Fire Department Coffee features a different fire department or cause through these subscription-based programs. The foundation directs a portion of each month’s proceeds directly to the collaborating department or organization.
These partnerships don’t simply raise money. They also share the stories behind the causes, creating deeper connections between supporters and the people they’re helping.
Schneider said: “It’s one thing to say you support firefighters. But we wanted to build something that could make a consistent, lasting impact. The clubs are a big part of that- they let us raise money every month while telling the stories that need to be heard.”
The coffee and shirt clubs introduce customers to the real, everyday challenges that firefighters face, from the physical strain of the job to the mental toll that accumulates over time.
Each shirt, bag of coffee or featured story brings attention to a new department or organization in need. This model has allowed the foundation to expand its reach without sacrificing its deeply personal approach.
Firefighters are trained to handle adversity. But in the face of injury, illness or emotional distress, even the strongest among them needs support.
Derek Turner
The Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation helps ensure that support is always within reach.
By combining grassroots storytelling with recurring fundraising, the foundation has developed a fresh blueprint for how industry-driven nonprofits can create lasting impact.
It’s not just about charity- it’s about community, compassion and honoring the sacrifices made in service to others.
Do you know a firefighter or family who is struggling through the realities of an injury or illness? If you think the Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation could help ease their burden or improve their circumstances, reach out and share the story.
The FDC team is always on the lookout for opportunities to give back where the need is real and the opportunity to make a difference is clear.
