Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Crane.
Hi Jillian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since 2022, I’ve had the privilege of leading the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) as President and CEO. Prior to becoming a CEO, I was an actress and a writer for theater, television, and film. You may have seen me in Election, The Practice, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, or the Netflix series Spinning Out. I loved embodying characters and bringing stories to life. And in many ways, I’m still a storyteller today.
Now, I have the opportunity to be part of the stories of these incredibly inspiring and resilient children of first responders.
My journey with First Responders Children’s Foundation began in 2013. I joined the Board of Directors, deeply moved by the sacrifices first responders and their families make every single day. During my time on the board, I was especially passionate about increasing women’s perspectives and participation across our board, staff, programs, and more broadly within the first responder community. I also spearheaded the Foundation’s COVID-19 response, delivering over $12 million in grants to first responder families.
Following our tremendous growth during the pandemic, I stepped into my CEO role in 2022. Since then, we remain focused on growing the Foundation’s reach and impact, transforming FRCF from a regional charity into a national nonprofit. In just two years, we increased funding tenfold, allowing us to support hundreds of thousands of first responder families across the country.
Under this growth, we’ve expanded our programs to meet the evolving needs of these families providing scholarships, financial assistance in times of hardship and tragedy, disaster relief, and access to free mental health counseling. At its core, the work of FRCF is not only about delivering these critical resources, but also about honoring the service and sacrifice of first responders and ensuring their families are seen, supported, and never forgotten.
If you had asked me earlier in life where I expected to be, I would never have said leading a national Foundation for children of first responders, but I truly have found my calling. I wake up every day excited to lead a passionate team driving impact for families that I feel is our moral obligation to support given the sacrifices they make for all of us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve learned that mission-driven work requires resilience, collaboration, and a willingness to continuously evolve. Expanding FRCF’s reach has meant growing and strengthening our board, and working closely with presidents, CEOs, and leaders across the country. That kind of work requires listening first, being open to different perspectives, and having the ability to pivot when needed. It’s also about being opportunistic and recognizing where we can grow, where we can deepen our impact, and how we can build an organization that will be here to support first responder families for the next 25 years and beyond.
At the same time, the importance of having a strong, passionate team cannot be overstated. At FRCF, we’re fortunate to be surrounded by people who are deeply committed to our mission and genuinely motivated to make a difference. There is so much value in working alongside individuals who bring expertise, a sense of purpose, and energy and positivity, especially during challenging moments. That kind of environment makes the work not only impactful, but sustainable.
The families we serve are often navigating incredibly difficult circumstances, loss, trauma, financial hardship, and that brings a deep level of responsibility to what I do. Staying closely connected to our mission is essential. Whether it’s speaking with scholarship recipients and seeing them succeed in their education, spending time with first responder families during moments of connection, or providing financial assistance during times of hardship, we are walking alongside families through some of the most difficult transitions in their lives. It’s a commitment we carry with great care, and it’s my responsibility to ensure FRCF continues to meet the evolving needs of first responder families across the country. Knowing that keeps me grounded and motivated every day.
I’ve also learned how important it is to maintain balance and take time to recharge. This work is deeply meaningful and all-encompassing, and I feel incredibly honored to do it. I’ve built so many meaningful relationships with first responders and their families through this work, and I truly feel blessed. At the same time, there is always more to be done, and effective leadership requires space to reflect and reset.
Taking time to step back, find moments of calm, and focus on something personal allows for greater clarity — and often, those are the moments when the best ideas come forward. It’s something I’m continually working on, reminding myself to be intentional about creating that space and making time to recharge.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At FRCF, we want people to understand that when a first responder dedicates their life to protecting others, their family shares in that commitment. The core of our work is ensuring that the children of first responders know their community stands behind them, that they are not forgotten, and are always supported.
My connection to this work is deeply personal. I was in New York City on September 11th working on a writing and acting project, and I witnessed firsthand the sacrifice and commitment of first responders as they responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center. From my apartment windows I watched thousands of people running uptown to safety, while first responders were running toward danger to save all of us. That experience stayed with me. Years later, when I had the opportunity to join the Board of Directors of the First Responders Children’s Foundation, I immediately said yes; it felt like a meaningful way to give back and support the families of those who give so much.
2026 marks a significant milestone for the First Responders Children’s Foundation. Founded in the wake of 9/11, when 800 children lost a first responder parent, we stepped in to support those families. Since then, we’ve grown into a nationwide organization, with programs designed to support the children of first responders throughout every stage of their lives. This year, we proudly celebrate 25 years of that impact.
It’s an important moment to honor the 9/11 first responder heroes and their families, while also celebrating the impact of FRCF and looking ahead to the future. We’re kicking off this milestone year with our 25th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, May 16 in New York City, which will be an unforgettable evening.
The year continues with National First Responders Day on October 28, when we host a powerful ceremony live in Times Square, followed by a special VIP viewing of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with breakfast for first responder families.
I’m also proud of the work we’ve done to support first responder families in New Jersey across all of our programs. Over the past 25 years, we have delivered more than $1.1 million in support throughout the state, including 903 financial hardship grants, 26 bereavement assistance grants, and 80 scholarships to help students pursue their education.
Community engagement is also central to our work. We strive to create spaces where first responder families can come together, feel supported, and build meaningful connections. Through these efforts, we’ve provided 11 community engagement grants totaling more than $39,000, hosted 49 Toy Express activations, and continued to expand access to critical resources, including mental health counseling across the state.
At the First Responders Children’s Foundation, our work is made possible through the generosity of individuals, families, and partners who believe in supporting those who dedicate their lives to protecting us all.
What makes every contribution so powerful is how directly it impacts families. A donation might help fund a student’s education, provide emergency relief during an unexpected hardship, or ensure a family has access to the resources they need to move forward after a loss. These moments of support can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life.
For those who feel inspired to get involved, we’re deeply grateful for support at any level. Every contribution helps us continue this important work and ensures that more first responder children and families receive the care, recognition, and opportunities they deserve. And you can join us in supporting first responder families by making a donation or joining us at an event.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is knowing that we’re helping create opportunity and stability for the children of people who spend their lives protecting our communities. Some of the most meaningful moments come from seeing that impact up close, whether it’s delivering financial support to a family experiencing emergency hardship or unexpected loss, hearing how our mental health counseling programs are making a difference, or watching our scholarship recipients graduate and pursue their dreams.
There are many deeply personal moments that stay with me. I’ll never forget being invited to the wedding of one of our scholarship recipients. I had watched her grow up over the years, navigate the loss of her father from a 9/11-related illness, and continue moving forward with strength and resilience. Being there on her wedding day, not as a CEO but as a friend who had been part of her journey, was truly one of the happiest and most meaningful moments of my life.
Outside of work, my happy place is being in nature. I love getting out of New York City for hikes upstate or across New Jersey and Pennsylvania; it keeps me centered and reminds me of all the beauty in the world. And as someone who was raised in the Midwest, I’ve always loved winter. Earlier this year, during one of the big snowstorms, I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and it was quiet, peaceful, and absolutely beautiful. Moments like that remind me of the importance of slowing down and taking it all in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1strcf.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1strcf/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1strcf
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/1strcf/
- Twitter: linkedin.com/company/1strcf/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-crane/
