Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program

The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program is administered by the California Sierra Nevada Conservancy, a state agency tasked with improving the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra-Cascade region. This program is funded primarily through Proposition 4, the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act, along with allocations under Assembly Bill 100. The Conservancy plays a central role in advancing statewide climate resilience goals by investing in projects that reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and protect critical natural and community assets. The program is part of a broader statewide strategy to address increasing wildfire severity and its impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities. The primary purpose of the program is to fund high-impact forest health planning and implementation projects that provide direct and measurable public benefits. These benefits include reducing wildfire risk, protecting water supplies, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and safeguarding critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and transportation routes. The program prioritizes projects that deliver multiple co-benefits, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, workforce development, and economic resilience. Both planning and implementation projects are eligible, provided they lead to tangible, on-the-ground outcomes aligned with program priorities. Funding is available for a wide range of eligible project costs, including direct project implementation, planning activities, environmental compliance work, staffing, travel, and certain administrative expenses. Indirect costs are reimbursable up to 20 percent of direct costs, depending on the applicant’s established rate. However, certain expenses are explicitly ineligible, including fundraising costs, legal settlements, and activities unrelated to project implementation. Projects must be ready to proceed immediately upon award and are expected to be completed by January 1, 2030. There is no stated matching requirement for this program. Eligibility is limited to public agencies, qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and federally or state-recognized tribal entities. Projects must be located within the Sierra-Cascade region and must demonstrate clear public benefit, alignment with program priorities, and compliance with environmental regulations such as CEQA and NEPA. The program strongly encourages collaboration with tribal communities, local governments, and workforce development programs. Projects benefiting disadvantaged or vulnerable communities may receive priority consideration, consistent with Climate Bond requirements. The application process is structured as a two-phase, invitation-based model. Applicants must first contact an SNC Area Representative to discuss their project concept. If deemed eligible, applicants are invited to submit a concept proposal. Selected concept proposals are then invited to submit a full proposal. The Conservancy provides guidance throughout both stages. Concept proposals are mandatory and serve as the initial screening mechanism. The evaluation process considers factors such as public benefit, project design, landscape context, likelihood of success, and long-term sustainability. The timeline for the current cycle begins with the release of the concept proposal request in June 2026. Concept proposals are due by July 27, 2026, and full proposals are due by November 2, 2026. Grant award recommendations are expected in March, June, and September 2027. The program is recurring in nature, though future cycles depend on funding availability and legislative appropriations. Applicants are required to comply with reporting requirements, including semiannual progress reports and a final report, and must track performance metrics related to economic, environmental, and community outcomes.

Ensure project demonstrates immediate readiness strong public benefit and alignment with program priorities emphasize collaboration and measurable outcomes