Wildfires pose a growing threat across the United States, with more than 8 million acres burned so far this year.¹ These disasters not only devastate natural ecosystems but also place thousands of communities at risk, creating an urgent need for proactive planning and mitigation strategies to protect lives and property.

To address this growing crisis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program to assist at-risk communities with planning for and mitigating wildfire risks. Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) have been published for the West, South, Northeast-Midwest, and Tribes.

What Defines an At-Risk Community?

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that their proposed project benefits an at-risk community, which can be based on one of two criteria:

• Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Communities: A WUI community is characterized by structures that directly abut wildland fuels, with a clear boundary between developed areas and wildland. Typically, these communities have a development density of three or more structures per acre or a population density of 250 or more people per square mile. 

• Wildfire Risk from Infrastructure and Fuels: This category includes groups of homes and structures equipped with basic infrastructure that are recognized as a risk in state, regional, or national wildfire risk assessments. These communities are typically surrounded by herbaceous or woody fuel conditions conducive to wildland fire disturbances.

Eligible Applicant

• Units of local government
• Indian Tribes
• Non-profit organizations including homeowner associations
• State forestry agencies
• Alaska Native Corporations
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

USFCR’s commitment to supporting nonprofits and small businesses in securing government grants continues to be a cornerstone of its service offerings. By providing guidance on SAM renewals, federal compliance, and comprehensive grant writing, USFCR is proud to empower organizations like FRH to achieve their missions and make meaningful community impacts.

Looking for Grants?

If you would like assistance regarding these opportunities, finding other grants that fit your organization’s needs, or any additional services, please contact USFCR’s Grant Writing Team at (877) 252-2700 and complete the grant assessment below. We look forward to working with you!

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Sources

¹ National Interagency Coordination Center. Incident Management Situation Report. 2024 Nov 29; Available from: https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/NICC/1-Incident%20Information/IMSR/Understanding%20the%20IMSR%202024.pdf.