Disaster Relief & Recovery Grant

The California Fire Foundation offers the Disaster Relief & Recovery Grant to support communities and first responders impacted by wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting firefighters, their families, and the communities they serve, the Foundation plays a critical role in disaster response and recovery across California. This grant program reflects its mission by providing targeted financial assistance to organizations engaged in wildfire recovery, preparedness, and mitigation efforts. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist with long-term recovery and resilience following wildfire events. Wildfires in California often cause extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and natural landscapes, while also placing immense strain on first responders and local organizations. Through this program, the Foundation aims to ensure that impacted communities can rebuild effectively while strengthening their preparedness for future disasters. Funding supports both immediate recovery needs and forward-looking initiatives that reduce wildfire risk and improve community readiness. Eligible projects must align with one of several defined focus areas. These include community relief and recovery efforts, recovery planning initiatives, public education or outreach campaigns, first responder training programs, and the purchase or replacement of specialized firefighting equipment such as personal protective equipment. Additionally, projects focused on vegetation mitigation and fuels reduction are supported, recognizing their importance in preventing future wildfire damage. The program allows flexibility within these categories, enabling applicants to tailor their proposals to the specific needs of their communities or organizations. The grant is open to a defined group of California-based entities, including fire departments, local firefighter associations, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must be planning projects specifically within Los Angeles or Ventura counties, reflecting the geographic focus of this funding cycle. While the program encourages a wide range of applicants within these categories, all proposals must demonstrate a clear connection to wildfire relief, recovery, or prevention within the designated service areas. Applications are submitted through the California Fire Foundation’s online grants portal, where applicants must either log into an existing account or create a new one. The submission process is ongoing, with applications reviewed and awards distributed on a quarterly basis. This rolling quarterly structure allows applicants multiple opportunities throughout the year to apply and receive funding decisions aligned with specific review cycles. The timeline for review and award announcements is structured around quarterly submission windows. For example, applications submitted between April 1 and June 30, 2026, are expected to receive award decisions in July 2026. Similar cycles occur throughout the year, with submission windows and corresponding award announcements continuing on a quarterly basis. Applicants can monitor the status of their submissions at any time through the grants portal dashboard, which serves as the primary communication tool for updates. For additional support or inquiries, applicants may contact the program via the provided email address. Due to the high volume of applications, the Foundation emphasizes the use of the portal dashboard for status tracking. Overall, this grant represents a significant opportunity for organizations working on wildfire recovery and prevention in Southern California to access funding that supports both immediate needs and long-term resilience.

Align proposal clearly with one of the specified focus areas and demonstrate direct wildfire recovery or prevention impact