Search Through Grants for Fire Departments in California in the U.S.

AgWest Farm Credit

AgWest Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative with more than a century of experience serving farmers, ranchers, timber harvesters, and aquatic producers throughout the West. 

Rural Community Grants

AgWest Farm Credit is committed to improving the economic and social well-being of rural communities.

We are looking for creative and collaborative approaches to address challenges and provide opportunities to people who live in rural communities. This program provides grants to non-profit organizations for projects that improve rural communities within Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. This includes efforts such as building or improving facilities; purchasing necessary equipment to facilitate a local program; and funding capital improvements which enhance a community’s infrastructure, viability and/or prosperity.

Examples of rural community grant projects

• Fire engine for rural fire department
• Multi-purpose community building
• Improving community park facilities
• Computers for a community center’s educational classes

Grant amounts

Maximum grant request is $5000. Due to growing demand, the average amount awarded is between $500 and $2,500. An organization may only be awarded grant funds once per calendar year.

What does this program do?

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

What is an eligible area?

Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements.
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing.
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment.
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools.
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment.
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses.

Grant Approval

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:

Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.

Making community possible

At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.

The U.S. Bank Foundation is committed to making Community Possible through Work, Home and Play. We advance this work through collaborative grant making to bring equitable and lasting change through our focus on sustainable, high-impact funding with 501c3 nonprofit partners.

How we partner with nonprofits

We focus on collaborative grantmaking and sustainable, high-impact funding with 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. We partner with organizations that support:

• Economic and workforce advancement
• Safe and affordable housing
• Community arts and culture

Our strategy

Our community affairs and foundation team work closely with U.S. Bank regional leadership, business resource groups and our National Community Advisory Committee to ensure that prevailing needs are addressed in all the communities we serve.

To make the most meaningful impact, we prioritize organizations that:

• Focus on economic development issues related to work, home and play
• Address more than one of the grant pillars (work, home and play)
• Are based in and serve designated U.S. Bank communities
• Advance diversity, equity and inclusion

Who We Are

The Creag Foundation is a private grant making foundation established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington.

The founders of the Creag Foundation believe that meaningful change can only be achieved through hard work, creativity and passion. They also understand the practical mechanisms that allow charitable organizations to succeed and grow. As a group, Creag Foundation principals are dedicated to helping today’s most innovative programs improve the human condition in a wide variety of ways.

Our Focus

The broad purpose of the Foundation is to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations who are innovators in the field of human services. Our particular focus is on smaller organizations that are starting out or established organizations that are looking for funding to take their organization in a new direction.

What We Fund

/ What We Fund

The Creag Foundation is focused on innovation in the industry. We will consider proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations that are finding new ways to address societal issues facing the nonprofit community. Applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for one year before submitting. If your organization has held 501(c)(3) status for over a year, and your believe that your organization has a new approach to an existing social problem or is addressing a previously unaddressed social issue, you are welcome to contact us and request that we consider your organization for a funding opportunity.

Mission

The DanPaul Foundation will use its resources to help train teachers and parents in early childhood development, protect children from abuse and neglect, stimulate children's personal social responsibilities, and offer them opportunities for enrichment and growth.

The Foundation will also encourage children to be concerned and informed about the environment and the underprivileged, particularly with regard to clean air and water, and adequate housing and nutrition for all.

Beliefs

The DanPaul Foundation believes that children should have ample opportunities for enrichment in their lives, and thus strives to provide many different ways to enrich and expand children's minds through direct programs and monetary support to organizations doing similar work.

We have provided or currently provide grants related to the following program areas:

• Workshops, Conferences, + Seminars: We strive to offer educational workshops, conferences, and seminars for parents and teachers on topics related to early childhood development.
• Student Scholarships: We aim to help students attending post-secondary education institutions by providing need-based and academic scholarships.
• Scientific Endeavors: We desire to advance scientific endeavors which seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world.
• Clean Air + Water: We hope to pass on knowledge and practical life skills to youth regarding their personal responsibility to the environment, teaching them about issues surrounding clean air and water.
• Child Advocacy: We believe in protecting children from abuse and neglect and particularly love to support programs that provide education and assistance to children as well as organizations advocating or caring for vulnerable children.
• Homelessness: We want to encourage young people to take a personal interest in seeing that adequate housing and proper nutrition, especially for the underprivileged and homeless, are available.
• Poverty + Neglect: We seek to help those in poverty as well as educate youth about their responsibility to consider the underprivileged and take care of those most in need of life's basic essentials like adequate housing and proper nutrition.
• Refugee Enrichment: We wish to help refugee youth by supporting programs that provide them enrichment and help them transition to life in a new country.

The DanPaul Foundation provides grants to 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organizations as defined by the IRS. The Foundation is interested in providing funding to programs that directly serve the health, education, development, and welfare of the world's youth.

Grants range from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 per calendar year.

Background

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. Our goal is to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic products or services that have a proven ability to positively impact the lives of underserved people, and nurture those organizations at the early stages by providing capacity, capital, and community.

Our application process is designed to be open and accessible, and we accept applications year round from across our priority geographies and sectors. Borrowing from our venture capital legacy, we find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with: 

Capacity

• The core of DRK’s model is deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy,

Capital

• DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, and

Community

• DRK convenes our portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating connections and community. 

What We Fund

DRK Foundation funds early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

Early stage: Organizations who are early stage, which we define as post-pilot and pre-scale. This typically means: 

• Your program, product or service is already being used in the market or in the field, 
• You have early indication that your model is having its intended impact on the beneficiary populations,
• Your organization is relatively young (ideally between two and five years old, although we will consider both younger and older organizations).

Venture funding: In the case of for profits, we typically support Seed to Series A organizations, and never lead rounds; we also generally but not exclusively refrain from participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.  

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation

We believe every person deserves equitable care and education.

In 2020 Labcorp established a private charitable 501(c)(3) foundation to advance our desire to bring quality healthcare access to all by supporting education and our local communities. 

Common grant opportunities include:

• Supporting food pantries and meal programs
• Providing healthcare and patient services for underserved populations
• Encouraging STEM programming
• Advocating for healthy lifestyles through ongoing medical research and screening

Philanthropy is our commitment to communities in which we operate and broader society. We focus our resources on a limited number of key projects that can deliver valuable benefits from our contributions and those of our partners. We give priority to innovative, high-quality projects that meet the following criteria:

• promote sustainable development
• offer an opportunity for Roche to use its expertise and logistics capabilities
• involve Roche actively at an early stage with local authorities and established partners
• engage Roche employees in cultural (focus on contemporary arts), educational and social activities
• managed by an accredited charity

Our four focus areas

Humanitarian and Social

We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations to humanitarian and social development projects.

Science and education

We are dedicated to programmes that promote scientific interest and provide educational opportunities for young people around the world.

Community and Environment

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Arts and Culture

We support groundbreaking contemporary art, cultural projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science. 

Scrap Metal Recycling

SA Recycling is a full-service ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycler and processor. Recognized as an industry leader in metal recycling, we operate over 70 recycling facilities conveniently located throughout California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.

SA Recycling is committed to environmental sustainability. We recognize the importance of protecting our planet’s natural resources. With the support of our customers, recycling reduces the need for mining, lowers production costs for metal manufacturers and helps deliver quality metal products throughout the world. This is all part of our strategic approach to intelligent resource management and re-use.

How can we spread the word of recycling in your neighborhood?

SA Recycling is committed to being a vital part of all the communities in which our facilities are located. From providing local jobs to sponsoring community-based programs that help to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and the surrounding neighborhoods, we know that our work to improve and sustain the environment starts with our own backyard. In addition, we actively support local law enforcement, fire departments and various non-profit humanitarian groups. As our mission statement confirms, SA Recycling strives to improve the quality of life for our employees and their families, and the communities we serve.

 SA Recycling proudly supports organizations through community service and monetary donations. 

For information on how SA Recycling can show support for your organization, please contact us.

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

California Rises 2025 Grant

The California Fire Foundation is pleased to announce a new grant opportunity for California-based fire departments, local firefighter associations, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations planning relief effort projects in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

When wildfires devastate communities throughout California, they leave lasting impacts on families, first responders, and local infrastructure. Through the California Rises Disaster Relief & Recovery Grant, the California Fire Foundation supports long-term recovery efforts and provides vital resources to those on the front lines. Whether you’re a firefighter association replacing damaged PPE, a nonprofit assisting families needing support, or a community group focused on wildfire prevention, this grant opportunity can help finance your essential work.

2025 Funding Focus Areas Include: 

• Community Relief & Recovery
• Recovery Planning, Public Education, and/or Community Outreach Campaigns
• First Responder Training
• Specialized Firefighting Equipment (such as PPE replacement)
• Vegetation Mitigation & Fuels Reduction

Funding

Typical award amounts range from $25,000 to $100,000; requests outside of this range will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

About Us

The Coastal Fund is a student funded and student governed initiative at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Its mission is to connect people and the environment by allocating funds to programs that celebrate, explore, and protect the coastal ecosystems in and around the Santa Barbara area. As a funding organization, Coastal Fund seeks to acknowledge and lessen many of the inequities and power dynamics that have historically existed in the philanthropic sector and ensure that benefits are widely felt by the UCSB student body. We do this by lessening the barriers to apply for and receive funding, providing personalized guidance to applicants (including those who may have never written a grant before), ensuring that approved grants create equitably paid, accessible opportunities for students, and so on.

Our Mission

Coastal Fund connects people and the environment by allocating funds to programs that celebrate, explore, and protect the coastal ecosystems in and around the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Funding Guidelines

The Coastal Fund is bound by its mission to connect people and the environment by allocating funds to programs that celebrate, explore, and protect the coastal ecosystems in and around the University of California, Santa Barbara. We fund projects and programs that align with our core values of community, exploration, joy, opportunity, protection and trust. Applicants should demonstrate a strong connection between their proposal, the Coastal Fund mission statement and values, and our local coastal ecosystems.

Size of Award

While Coastal Fund does not set a limit on the amount of funding an applicant may request, applicants should note that we typically allocate approximately $200,000 amongst 25-30 approved applications each quarter and most projects funded through our Major Grant program range from $3,000 to $15,000. We often provide partial funding so that we can support more programs.

Background

The Department of Navigation and Ocean Development was established in 1957 with the enactment of legislation supported by the boating community. After several state government reorganizations, this boating-focused entity exists today as the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) within the Department of Parks and Recreation. The same legislation that created DBW also created a special fund, the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund (HWRF) to fund DBW’s activities, including its grant programs. HWRF resources come from revenue generated by vessel registration fees, repayments of DBW loans provided to public and private marinas, and vessel fuel tax.

Mission

DBW’s Mission is: To provide safe and convenient public access to California’s waterways and leadership in promoting safe, enjoyable and environmentally sound recreational boating. DBW fulfills this mission by bringing together a body of knowledge as the state’s expert in recreational boating-related matters, including public access, safety, education, marine law enforcement, and consumer and environmental protection and through its local assistance grant and loan programs. Some of these programs assist cities, counties, districts, other governmental agencies, marinas, and port districts in the development and improvement of boat launching facilities and marinas.

Grant Programs

• Boat Launching Facilities (BLF) Grant
  • BLF grants are for the engineering, construction, or improvement of boat launching ramps, restrooms, boarding floats, shore protection, parking for vehicles and boat trailers, utilities, and ancillary items. The purpose of the program is to provide and improve access to California’s waterways for the recreational boating public that use trailer-able motorized watercraft
• Non-Motorized Boat Launching Facilities (NMBLF) Grant
  • NMBLF grants are for the construction or improvement of public non-motorized boating access facilities. Typical grant-funded items include the engineering and construction of small hand-launch boat ramps, low freeboard boarding floats, small parking lots, and restrooms.
• Ramp Repair and Modification (RR&M) Grant
  • RR&M grants provide funding to qualifying public agencies to restore recreational boating access; address issues or conditions at boat launching facilities caused by unexpected events; and that may not be covered by an agency’s insurance such as storms, floods, droughts, forest fires, or water drawdowns resulting from dam repairs, dam seismic safety concerns, or water releases to protect fish habitat, etc. These projects must have previously been improved using DBW funding. Typical projects include ramp extensions, ramp widenings, construction of low water and second stage parking areas, and the repair of launching ramps, boarding floats, restrooms, and parking areas. Projects are typically limited in scope and are funded only to the level necessary to restore boating access, relieve overcapacity, address health or safety issues, and restore functionality.
• Sign Grant Program
  • The Sign Grant Program provides grant funding to install and replace signs for previously funded DBW projects when the signs are obsolete, incorrect, badly worn or damaged, missing, are needed for safety, or are required as a condition of receiving federal funds.

The Coastal Fund shall provide funds to preserve, protect, and enhance the terrestrial and marine habitats associated with the shoreline of the University of California, Santa Barbara through preservation, education, open access, research, and restoration.

The Coastal Fund is bound by its mission to connect people and the environment by allocating funds to programs that celebrate, explore, and protect the coastal ecosystems in and around the University of California, Santa Barbara. We fund projects and programs that align with our core values of community, exploration, joy, opportunity, protection and trust. Applicants should demonstrate a strong connection between their proposal, the Coastal Fund mission statement and values, and our local coastal ecosystems.

Coastal Fund grant applications must be submitted in connection with a UCSB affiliated department, registered non-partisan nonprofit, or government agency. Registered UCSB student organizations may apply to Coastal Fund but cannot receive funding for stipends or student wages. 

While Coastal Fund does not set a limit on the amount of funding an applicant may request, applicants should note that we typically allocate approximately $200,000 amongst 25-30 approved applications each quarter. We often provide partial funding so that we can support more programs.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

About the Foundation

Jesse W. Couch lived a life of zeal, honor, and dedication to the betterment of his community. The Couch family now humbly stewards the foundation he created to carry on his legacy of service for future generations. We believe that impact is best accomplished through partnerships with local organizations that know the people and communities they serve. We invest in and support efforts to protect the environment, further conservation and preservation initiatives, and save historical architecture that preserves community heritage. We also support initiatives that promote wellness and mental health and organizations seeking to provide and further education for all communities.

Annual Grant Focus

Each year, we seek to partner with and support non-profit organizations making an impact in the focus areas listed here.  The focus areas for 2025 are:

• Animal Wellbeing: We are dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations that nurture compassion and respect for all living animals. We must have animal-focused organizations that advocate for animal rights and provide humane treatment across all spectrums.
• Early Childhood Education: We are looking for schools that are providing young children with a creative and balanced approach to education. Things we love in early childhood curriculums:
  • Life Skills
  • Collaboration With Their Peers and Teachers   
  • Having Fun   
  • Montessori Teachings   
  • Project Based Teachings   
  • Diversity   
  • More Time Outside   
  • Less Screen Time
• Teachers: Teachers are essential to providing children with the best possible education. We must invest in their future and are always looking for teams that help them succeed in educating future generations.
• Get Outside: Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, lower blood pressure, and more! We support organizations that facilitate and encourage more outdoor activities that help create healthier communities. 

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program

The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program is a federally funded grant program that allows California to provide local and rural fire departments with minor firefighting, training, communications and safety equipment for their volunteer firefighters. The VFC Program is not intended for major equipment (fire engines, vehicles, etc.) or Capital repairs. The VFC Program has a 50/50 match requirement which means that the applying department must be able to meet the intended grant award, dollar for dollar. Awards for departments are set at a minimum of $500 with a maximum of $20,000. Amounts may be adjusted based on the grant funding available.

National Fire Protection Association 1977 and Personal Protective Equipment

As a result of the recommendation from the 2003 Blue Ribbon Report to the Governor of California, CAL FIRE has included a section in the VFC grant application that states you are certifying that your wildland firefighters are fully equipped with appropriate, approved wildland fire response Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1977 Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting and are trained to a proficient level in the use of the PPE.

Departments not currently in compliance with the NFPA 1977 standard for wildland firefighter safety clothing and equipment will only be considered for awards which bring their department into compliance with this standard. This year’s consideration for grant awards will place a higher priority for funding reimbursement of firefighter PPE purchases and associated training for those Departments not currently meeting the standard.

How Funds Can Be Used

Cost-share funds will be awarded to local governments to provide assistance to rural areas in upgrading their capability to organize, train, and equip local forces for fire protection. Awards will be limited to a minimum of $500 and a projected maximum of $20,000.

Proposed projects should be compatible with existing protection of state, county, and local areas.

The cost of the conversion of vehicles obtained through the Federal Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP) to water tenders, engines, brush trucks, and equipment trucks may be funded under the VFC grant.

Training of local fire forces in both wildfire and structural fire techniques is a primary goal of this grant. The program should include a basic training program of at least 40 hours. In addition, an advanced training course of at least 40 hours should be developed.

Communications, for alarm systems and dispatch capabilities, should be considered an integral part of the rural fire department. Funds are available for the development and purchase of radio equipment for dispatching centers, vehicles and alert monitors, and pagers.

Urban and Community Forestry Grants

The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program strives to increase the long-term benefits trees provide, improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of urban trees, and advance urban forest management and tree care. Special consideration is given to projects serving disadvantaged and/or low-income communities.

California Inflation Reduction Act Grants

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program awarded $1.5 billion to states, projects, and national initiatives that support urban communities in ensuring equitable access to trees and their benefits via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. The USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program is a covered program under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, established through Executive Order 13985.

The Inflation Reduction Act provides up to $1.5 billion for Urban and Community Forestry investments across the nation that foster:

• Increased and equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated human health, environmental, and economic benefits in disadvantaged communities,
• Broadened community engagement in local urban forest planning, tree planting, and management activities, and
• Improved community and urban forest resilience to climate change, extreme heat, forest pests and diseases, and storm events through best management and maintenance practices.

The USDA Forest Service UCF Program assists State Forestry agencies and partner organizations like CAL FIRE in addressing and applying nature-based solutions to chronic and emergent economic, social, and environmental challenges in communities across the United States by providing direct funding to communities and especially to communities experiencing low urban tree canopy, dead and hazardous tree conditions, extreme heat and severe flooding, and limited awareness of or access to green job workforce to help them:

• Become more resilient to climate change
• Combat extreme heat with the cooling effects of increased urban tree canopy
• Experience improved forest health conditions and safer access to tree benefits
• Attain broadened exposure and access to environmental career pathways.

California received a state allocation of Inflation Reduction Act funds, of which $30.8 million is available for grant projects working at a community, regional, or statewide scale in this funding opportunity.

Background

The California Fire Foundation (CFF) is a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Sacramento, CA. Formed in 1987, CFF’s mandate includes an array of survivor assistance projects and community initiatives. Since launching our first funding cycle, over 80% of Governor declared disasters have been wildfire related. The last few fire years in particular have been the deadliest and most destructive in California’s history.

Catastrophic, climate change-driven events pose a significant risk to the public’s safety. But, too often, under-resourced communities in high-fire threat areas lack the resources and information needed to stay safe. CFF, fire departments, local firefighter associations and other community-based organizations are positioned to work in partnership -- providing needed resources to help mitigate the risk of wildfires and other climate change-driven disasters.

Focus Areas

The California Fire Foundation supports projects that actively address wildfire preparedness and/or prevention needs, which protect and enhance the public’s safety or the safety of California’s firefighters and other first responders, including:

• Vegetation Mitigation & Fuels Reduction
• Education, Planning or Community Outreach Campaigns
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Specialized Firefighting Equipment
• First Responder Training

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Background

The California Fire Foundation (CFF) is a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Sacramento, CA. Formed in 1987, CFF’s mandate includes an array of survivor assistance projects and community initiatives. Since launching our first funding cycle, over 80% of Governor declared disasters have been wildfire related. The last few fire years in particular have been the deadliest and most destructive in California’s history.

Catastrophic, climate-caused disaster events pose a significant risk to the public’s safety. But, too often, under-resourced communities in high-threat areas lack the resources and information needed to stay safe. CFF, fire departments, local firefighter associations and other community-based organizations are positioned to work in partnership -- providing needed resources to help mitigate the risk of wildfires and other climate-caused disasters. Our grantees are tackling some of the state’s toughest disaster risk needs. Each year, requests for grant funding steadily increase -- with every funding cycle often more competitive than the last.

Focus Areas

The California Fire Foundation supports projects that actively address wildfire preparedness and/or prevention needs, which protect and enhance the public’s safety or the safety of California’s firefighters and other first responders, including:

• Vegetation Mitigation & Fuels Reduction
• Education, Planning and/or Community Outreach Campaigns
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Specialized Firefighting Equipment

California Board of Forestry

The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (the Board) is a government-appointed body within the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (the Department). It is responsible for developing the general forest policy of the state, determining the guidance policies of the Department, and representing the state's interest in federal forestland in California. Together, the Board and the Department work to carry out the California Legislature's mandate to protect and enhance the state's unique forest and wildland resources.

The Board is charged with protecting all wildland forest resources in California that are not under federal jurisdiction. These resources include major commercial and non-commercial stands of timber, areas reserved for parks and recreation, woodlands, brush-range watersheds, and all private and state lands that contribute to California's forest resource wealth.

Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation

Mission

The Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation is dedicated to providing California forest product information, research, and analysis to increase economic drivers for healthy forests. Institute work focuses on long-term ecological and economic sustainability; education and outreach; increased forest resilience, long-term carbon storage, and local economies; and industry retention and development in California.

Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation Grant, FY 2025-2026

Purpose

The Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation Grant supports increasing the pace & scale of CA's sustainable forest restoration activities. Grant projects must (directly or indirectly) contribute to long-term forest ecosystem sustainability; forest health; carbon storage; & wood products, biofuels, or bioenergy. 

Activities eligible for funding include research and development activities that support innovative wood and biomass products, bioenergy, workforce housing, and workforce development.

Preferred Projects

Preferred Projects are projects that the Institute has identified as current needs in advancing wood and biomass utilization in the State. Proposals incorporating preferred projects may receive additional consideration.

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) serves and safeguards the people and protects the property and resources of California.

CAL FIRE Urban and Community Forestry Grants - Aliso Canyon Green Schoolyard

The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program strives to increase the long-term benefits trees provide, improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of urban trees, and advance urban forest management and tree care. Special consideration is given to projects serving disadvantaged and/or low-income communities.

Green Schoolyards Grant Specifics

Purpose

The purpose of this grant type is to create green schoolyards to protect the health, well-being, and educational opportunity of children most vulnerable to increasing temperatures and extreme heat across California. Projects shall be centered around improving the environmental conditions and experiences for school children with the highest levels of co-benefits. Projects will invest in nature- based climate solutions that deliver multiple benefits such as helping to alleviate extreme heat, improving the immediate environment for students as well as supporting outdoor learning and environmental literacy, while also reducing GHG emissions, improving functionality of urban forests, arresting the decline of urban forest resources, increasing climate change resilience, improving the quality of the environment in urban areas, and optimizing co-benefits to school children and surrounding urban residents.

A total of $13.5 million is available to support public TK-12 school campuses in the neighborhoods of Porter Ranch, Granada Hills, Northridge, Chatsworth, North Hills, Canoga Park, Reseda, Winnetka, West Hills, Van Nuys, and Lake Balboa. Only schools in these neighborhoods are eligible for funding.

Important Note: Applicants shall obtain a memorandum of understanding (MOU), resolution, or certified letter from the respective local educational or child services agency supporting the project before being awarded a grant.

Corporate Contributions

Community involvement and corporate citizenship are an example of Insperity’s mission in action. We are committed to helping the communities where we live and work because together, we know we can make great things happen.

Grants

Philanthropic grants are a strong part of our community outreach and aid institutions needing financial support to meet important service goals.

Event Sponsorship

Fundraising events are an important part of nonprofit support. Insperity provides event sponsorships to approved charities to assist them in meeting their financial and community goals.