Donna Murrill Wildfire Fund

The Donna Murrill Wildfire Fund is administered by the North Valley Community Foundation, a regional philanthropic organization focused on strengthening communities in Northern California. The fund was established through a legacy gift from Donna Murrill, a longtime Durham resident who passed away in 2023. Her contribution created a dedicated funding source to support wildfire recovery, response, and prevention efforts across communities that have experienced repeated wildfire devastation over the past decade. The foundation’s approach emphasizes strategic investment that complements rather than duplicates existing public or private funding streams, ensuring measurable and meaningful impact. The primary purpose of this grant program is to support wildfire prevention and mitigation initiatives in vulnerable regions. While the fund has historically supported immediate disaster relief and recovery following major wildfire events, the annual grant cycle specifically targets proactive projects designed to reduce wildfire risk and improve community resilience. Eligible project types include the creation of defensible space, home hardening and fire-resistant retrofits, and vegetation management or fuel reduction activities. These initiatives are intended to minimize fire hazards and protect both residential areas and critical infrastructure. Funding is typically awarded in amounts ranging from 5000 to 25000 dollars per project, with the possibility of larger awards considered only through invitation. The fund prioritizes projects that address gaps not covered by insurance, federal aid, or state assistance programs. Grant funds may be used for staffing and programmatic expenses necessary to implement proposed activities. However, certain uses are explicitly restricted, including fundraising events, political activities, endowment contributions, and capital construction such as building new structures or repairing damaged ones. The program is designed to ensure that funds are used efficiently and in alignment with broader recovery and prevention systems. Eligibility for the grant program is limited to qualified organizations, including nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, fiscally sponsored programs, units of local government such as public schools, and tribal entities including both federally and state recognized tribes as well as unrecognized tribes with fiscal sponsorship. Faith-based organizations may apply if their programs are not restricted to a specific religious group and serve a broader community. Additionally, applicants must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner and demonstrate that their proposed projects will benefit residents in Butte, Glenn, Tehama, or Colusa counties. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal during the designated application window, which opens on July 1, 2026 and closes on July 31, 2026. Applicants must provide a detailed project budget outlining both projected expenses and sources of income, along with proof of liability insurance. Successful applicants will enter into a formal grant agreement that defines the scope of work, reporting requirements, timeline, and financial terms. Grant payments are issued upon execution of this agreement. Awarded grantees are subject to monitoring and evaluation requirements, including regular reporting on project progress and financial expenditures. These reporting obligations ensure accountability and enable the foundation to measure the effectiveness of funded projects. The program is administered by the North Valley Community Foundation’s grants team, with additional support from leadership staff for strategic grantmaking and oversight. The annual nature of the funding cycle indicates that similar opportunities are expected to recur each year, providing ongoing support for wildfire mitigation efforts in the region.

Prioritize projects that fill gaps not covered by insurance or public funding and demonstrate measurable wildfire prevention impact