Grants and Community Assistance
Grant Families—a complete list of all fire related grant opportunities sorted by type.
Tips and Tricks For Grant Writing—Jerry Miller, Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor.
Federal Grant Subrecipient Program Booklet—for those who have already been awarded a grant through the ISFPWG.
This page provides basic information about some of the most important hazardous fuels reduction assistance opportunities available to local jurisdictions in Idaho. For more detailed information on all assistance programs in the state, including contact information, please access the Grant Families page.
For information regarding past grant awards and other financial assistance to Idaho's counties and fire districts, see County Funding.
Major Hazardous Fuels Funding Sources (Non-Federal Lands)
WESTERN STATES FIRE MANAGER’S GRANT PROGRAM: This grant program is the primary source of funding used to conduct hazardous fuels treatments on private lands in Idaho. The ISFPWG prioritizes all applications received in Idaho. These applications are then reviewed by a panel of Western States Fire Managers where final funding decisions are made.
Eligible Recipients: County Wildland Fire Interagency Groups (or county governments)
Match Requirements: 10% Minimum Required
Funding Timeframe: Applications are available in late summer and are due in September.
Amount of Award: Maximum award amount is $250,000. However, Idaho’s share of available funds has decreased in recent years. During the past two years, awards have averaged $50,000-$100,000. The ISFPWG encourages applicants to submit grants for any amount up to $250,000 because funding levels fluctuate from year to year.
Application: NOW AVAILABLE—Application Due September 11, 2008
Application (MS Word)
BLM COMMUNITIES AT RISK (COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE): Provides financial assistance to local jurisdictions in Idaho for efforts that support fire prevention activites. Funds may be used for planning efforts (including the use of GIS software and support), the hiring of countywide WUI coordinators, and education efforts such as FIREWISE. Funds may also be used to reduce hazardous fuels accumulations on non-federal lands, however, use of funds for this purpose may require environmental clearance.
Eligible Recipients: County Wildland Fire Interagency Groups, county governments, communities, not-for-profit entities
Match Requirements: None
Funding Timeframe: Awards are made throughout the year. However, a large number of awards are made prior to the end of the federal fiscal year (September 30)
Amount of Award: Amounts vary significantly based upon the nature of the award, between a few thousand and several hundred thousand dollars.
Application: Applications are available through Grants.gov. Please contact your local BLM line officer or hazard mitigation specialist for more information.
USFS/IDL COMMUNITY FIRE PROTECTION (formerly "Steven’s Funds") and BLM PARTNERSHIP FUNDS: Provide funding for hazardous fuels treatments on private lands that are adjacent to National Forest (Community Fire Protection) and Bureau of Land Management (Partnership Fund) boundaries. Funds may only be used for hazardous fuels work and not for related activities.
Eligible Recipients: County Wildland Fire Interagency Groups (or county governments)
Match Requirements:
Funding Timeframe Applications are available in early spring and are due in May.
Amount of Award: Awards can be for any amount but average at or below $50,000.
Application: Currently not available—Application Closed July 2, 2008
Major Assistance Programs For Firefighters
ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS (FEMA): This competitive grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides direct assistance to fire protection organizations. Funds may be awarded for training safety and equipment, firefighting vehicles, fire prevention equipment, or emergency services.
Eligible Recipients: Fire departments at all levels.
Match Requirements: 10% non-federal match required.
Funding Timeframe: On-line applications are accepted in early March until early April. Awards are made throughout the summer and fall.
Amount of Award: Amounts vary significantly based on the nature of the award. The largest awards are usually for firefighting vehicles, which may cost upwards of $150,000. In FY2004, Idaho’s fire protection organizations received more than $4.8 million from this program.
Application:Currently not available—Application Closed April 4, 2008
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Website
BLM RURAL FIRE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RFA):
Eligible Recipients: Rural Fire Departments serving 10,000 people or less that are adjacent to BLM land.
Match Requirements: 10% in additional wildland equipment or "in kind" services.
Funding Timeframe: RFA Pre-Applications are due in the fall.
Amount of Award: Up to $20,000. Most awards are for $5,000 or less.
Application: Currently not available.
NOTE: The US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and National Park Service also have RFA funds available for rural fire departments with protection areas adjacent to these federal lands. Please contact your local federal representative for information.
USFS/IDL VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VFA):
Eligible Recipients: Rural Fire Departments serving 10,000 people or less.
Match Requirements: 10% Hard Match (cash)
Funding Timeframe: Applications are due at the end of May. Applications are prioritized by the Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group in June.
Amount of Award: Up to $20,000. Most awards are for $5,000 or less.
Application: Currently Not Available—Application closed June 2, 2008.