Dear Friend,
Wishing a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Make sure to continue to stay alert and follow directions from local authorities regarding the wildfires to stay safe. You can download the FEMA app or sign up for emergency notifications at AlertSanDiego.org.
Weather events like these wildfires have become more frequent and more severe because of the climate crisis. Below you’ll find some federal grant opportunities to help our community mitigate the risks of these natural disasters.
You can find up-to-date information on all open federal grants here. This spreadsheet is updated regularly as more grants become available and lists grants related to agriculture; arts and culture; business and commerce; community development; consumer protection; disaster prevention and relief; education; employment, labor, and training; energy; environment; food and nutrition; health; infrastructure; income security and social services; natural resources; opportunity zones; regional development; science, technology, and R&D; transportation; and more.
Here are some of the best grant opportunities available right now:
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program offers federal funding for hazard mitigation activities to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments, and local governments. This program recognizes the growing impacts of climate change and the need for natural hazard risk mitigation strategies – while helping our communities adapt to the changing conditions and respond to those hazards. Applications are due April 18, 2025, and more information can be found here.
Community Wildfire Defense Grants
The Community Wildfire Defense Grant helps at-risk local communities and Indian tribes plan for and mitigate the risks associated with climate change. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – that I voted to pass into law! – prioritizes at-risk communities in areas that have high or very high wildfire potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by a severe disaster. More information on this program can be found here, and applications will be accepted through February 28, 2025.
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program
The PROTECT Program provides grants to strengthen surface transportation to be more resilient to natural hazards – including climate change, rising sea levels, heat waves, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. By providing funding to projects that improve climate resilience, evacuation routes, at-risk local infrastructure, and more, this program offers support to communities facing the impacts of climate change. More information can be found here, and you can apply from now through February 24, 2025.
And don’t forget – my office can also help your grant efforts with a letter of support! Congressional letters of support help show grant reviewers that your project has buy-in from regional stakeholders and make your application more competitive. If you would like to request a letter of support from our office, please contact my team by emailing [email protected] to learn more about how my staff and I can help you!
