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Community Wildfire Defense Grant Now Accepting Applications

Intended to help at-risk communities and Native American tribes reduce wildfire risk, the Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG)— funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — focus on the three goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy:

• Restore and Maintain Landscapes
• Create Fire Adapted Communities
• Improve Wildfire Response

Eligibility

Communities, tribes, states, and non-profits are all eligible.  Priority will be given to low-income and underserved communities, and those impacted by disasters (e.g., blowdowns) that increased wildfire risk.

Applicants can apply for project funding on private, local government, homeowners’ associations, state government, and tribal lands. Federal lands are not eligible for this funding opportunity except for tribal trust lands.

Use the CWDG Dashboard to enter your county, city, or tribal area to get specific information on how your communities meet the grant priorities. Information can be copied and pasted into the application, such as low-income scoring, disaster impacts, wildfire hazard potential, and cost-share waiver eligibility.

Funding

Two primary project types will be funded:

• Community Wildfire Protection Plan Development or Update
  • Awards up to $250,000
  • 10% cost-share match*
• Community Wildfire Protection Plan Project Implementation
  • Awards up to $10 million
  • 25% cost-share match*

*Full match waivers are available for underserved communities!

Get Ready to Apply

Applications will be accepted until 10:59 p.m. Central Time, February 28, 2025.

1. Review grant information on the USDA’s CWDG webpage and review your community’s eligibility on the CWDG Dashboard.
2. Register at gov. Organizations must have an active membership with the System for Award Management (SAM) to apply. Register promptly, as creating a SAM registration may take several weeks.
3. Sign in or register as a New User on grants.gov.
4. View the notice of Funding Opportunity for Northeast-Midwest CWDG Grant Opportunity for guidance documents and instructions on how to apply.

Questions and Help

• Contact your DNR Regional Firewise Regional Specialist for any questions.
• Applicant Webinars – register in advance or watch the recordings from previous webinars later at the USDA Forest Service CWDG webpage.

         Upcoming Webinar Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Central Time 

• Forest Service "office hours" will be offered periodically for applicants throughout the application period. The first office hours webinar will be Dec. 18, 2024, 2-4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Registration is not required. Click on the link to join https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82666175113. Meeting ID: 826 6617 5113. One tap mobile: +17207072699,,82666175113#