Community Wildfire Defense Grant

Purpose

Offer financial assistance to at-risk communities for planning and mitigating against the risk of a catastrophic wildfire.    

Practices

Development and revision of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) and implementation of projects described in a CWPP that is less than ten years old.  

Eligibility

Local governments, Native American tribes, non-profit organizations, homeowners associations, and state forestry agencies 

Application

The application period is currently open until February 28, 2025. 

About

The Community Wildfire Defense Grant is authorized in Public Law 117-58, “An Act to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes”, commonly referred to as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

The Act prioritizes at-risk communities that are in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by a severe disaster. Eligible applicants may apply for grant funding for a project proposal to be conducted on local government, state government, Tribal, homeowners association, and privately owned lands. Provided the project proposal directly reduces wildfire risk to a community.  

Examples of project proposals include: 

  • CWPP development or revision 
  • Planning 
  • Wildfire prevention and mitigation education/outreach 
  • Reduce hazardous fuel or restore fire-adapted ecosystems  

Funding

There is no minimum federal funding limit for projects under the Community Wildfire Defense Grant.  The maximum amount of funding awarded to any applicant is:  

  • $250,000 for the creation or updating of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan 
  • $10 million for projects described within a Community Wildfire Protection Plan less than ten years old 

  Cost-share is required for all applications funded under the grant.  Cost share rates are: 

  • No less that 10% for development or revision of a CWPP 
  • No less than 25% for project implementation as described in a CWPP that is not more than 10 years old 

Apply

  • Are you eligble?
    • Local communities and tribes at risk for wildfires can apply. Characteristics include high fire danger, social vulnerability, and impacted by severe disasters. 
  • Are you “at-risk”?
  • What can you apply for?
    • Community Wildfire Protection Plan or project implementation. 
  • How to prepare to apply?
    • Prioritize project selection. Establish a budget plan. Explore additional resources. Research the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Then, coordinate with community leaders. 
  • Who can you ask for help?
  • When can you apply?
    • The application period opens Nov. 21. The deadline is Feb. 28, 2025.  
  • Apply.

Get Started

To begin the application process, contact one of our WUI Coordinators in your region or contact the CWDG team.

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