Community Defense and Prevention Grants
Last update: 2/14/2023
DNR Firewise USA® Site Assistance Micro Grant
The 2023 DNR Firewise USA® Site Assistance Micro Grant is a part of the Wildfire Ready Neighbors (WRN) Program assisting Firewise USA® sites in community effort to be more prepared for a wildfire. It is designed to encourage neighbors to work together to take action and reduce wildfire risks through implementation of mitigation strategies identified in Firewise USA® site Action Plans. This program will provide reimbursement of up to $3,000* for eligible activities conducted in Active or Prospective Firewise USA® sites. The following guidelines are intended to help potential grantees apply to this program.
*Awarded reimbursements may vary based on available funds and numbers of applicants; awards shall not exceed $3000 and awardees will be notified of actual reimbursement amount available at time of award.
Eligible Grantees: Active or Prospective Firewise USA® sites in all Washington counties are eligible to apply.
- View the Notice of Funding
- Application
- Micro Grant Webinar conducted on Feb. 10, 2023
- WA State Vendor ID Form - If you do not have a WA State Vendor Number, fill this form out and submit directly as instructed on the form (or go to this website and follow the instructions there - Vendor Payee Registration | Office of Financial Management)
Submit completed grant applications to: marc.titus@dnr.wa.gov
What is the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG)?
The CWDG is a federal grant program that is intended to help at-risk, local communities and tribes with planning for and mitigating against the risk created by wildfire. Applications are currently closed for the USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grants.
There is $160M available per year over the next five years through CWDG nationally.
What does the CWDG fund?
There are three types of projects for which the grant provides funding:
- The development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans
- The updating of Community Wildfire Protection Plans
- The implementation of projects described in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan and/or Hazard Mitigation Plan with a Wildfire Section that is less than ten years old.
- Funding is not available for fire suppression training, equipment, or supplies.
Who can apply for CWDG funds?
Any community at risk to wildfire can apply, including:
- Local government
- Tribes
- Non-profit organizations (including Homeowner Associations)
- State forestry agency
How are CWDG funds prioritized?
Applications will be prioritized by areas of high or very high wildfire hazard, low income communities, communities impacted by a severe disaster within the last ten years.
How do I apply?
Applicants will need to request a unique application link for each proposal through the WA State Point-of-Contact, Guy Gifford at guy.gifford@dnr.wa.gov. Applicants also will need to complete and submit an online grant proposal by October 5 at 8:00 p.m. through cwdg.forestrygrants.org. A fillable PDF version of the application can be found here to use while developing the content for the application. If you do not already have one, you must also register at SAM.gov to create a Unique Entity ID.
Detailed grant information and eligible project examples can be found below under "CWDG Resources" in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Western States and Territories.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources held Q&A sessions over Zoom.
CWDG Weekly Sessions
September 14, 21, 28, and October 5
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://dnr-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/84999947843
https://dnr-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/84999947843
Meeting ID: 849 9994 7843
One tap mobile +16694449171,,84999947843# US
One tap mobile +16694449171,,84999947843# US
Washington State Point-of-Contact
Guy Gifford
guy.gifford@dnr.wa.gov
(509) 990-6218
(509) 990-6218
General CWDG Information
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – Official instructions and details about the funding opportunity and application process
- CWDG Information Flyer - WA State specific summary of important CWDG information
- Webinar recordings
CWDG Application Resources
- USFS CWDG FAQ
- WA State CWDG FAQ
- WA State CWDG Application tips
- Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) - A primer on understanding the CWDG and whether/how to apply
- DNR 10-Year Wildfire Strategic Plan - For referencing areas of risk and other identified WA State wildfire strategies
- DNR 2020 Forest Action Plan - For referencing priority watersheds for forest health projects
- DNR Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) - DNR's landing page for all completed CWPPs
- WA State low-income spreadsheet - A spreadsheet to reference whether the community your project is located within is considered low income for match waiver eligibility