Helping Oregon communities find funding for wildfire resilience projects.
Select the applicant type that best represents the organization or group leading your project. Funding programs are listed under the applicant type most commonly responsible for applying.
Many programs allow multiple applicant types, but each program appears only once in the database to keep the list clear and easy to navigate.
Tool last updated: March 2026. Always confirm deadlines and program details on the official website.
Find answers to common questions about wildfire resilience funding, eligibility, and how to choose the right program.
Several funding programs support defensible space, fuels reduction, and forest health projects, but eligibility depends on who is applying. Private landowners may access funding through landowner assistance programs or NRCS conservation programs. Fire districts, nonprofits, tribes, and local governments may be eligible for broader community mitigation funding.
Some programs have specific requirements. For example, projects funded through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) must generally be identified in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to qualify for implementation funding. CWDG can also fund the development or update of a CWPP.
Eligibility varies by program. Some funding is designed specifically for private landowners, while other programs require applications from local governments, tribes, nonprofits, fire districts, or collaborative partnerships.
In many cases, individual landowners participate through projects led by a fire district, nonprofit organization, or local government rather than applying directly.
Some wildfire grants require matching funds, while others do not. Federal programs are more likely to require a match, which may include cash, staff time, equipment use, volunteer labor, or partner contributions depending on the program guidelines.
In some cases, funding agencies may offer reduced match requirements or match waivers. These exceptions are sometimes available for projects serving economically disadvantaged communities, for tribal partnerships, or for collaborative projects that demonstrate strong regional benefits.
Applicants should always review the specific program guidance to understand whether matching funds are required and what types of contributions may qualify.
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a locally developed plan that identifies wildfire risk and prioritizes mitigation projects within a defined community or landscape.
Many wildfire funding programs give strong preference to projects that align with an existing CWPP because it shows that the work is part of a coordinated community wildfire strategy rather than an isolated project.
For some programs, alignment is not just recommended — it is required.
For example, the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) requires that proposed projects be specifically identified within the CWPP for the geographic area where the work will occur. General concepts such as “defensible space” or “fuels reduction” are not sufficient on their own. The plan must identify the specific project area or treatment location for it to be eligible for funding.
CWDG funding can also be used to develop a new CWPP or update an existing plan, which allows communities to identify priority mitigation projects and position those projects for future funding opportunities.
Communities with active Firewise programs are often better positioned to pursue wildfire mitigation funding because they demonstrate organized community engagement, defensible space efforts, and ongoing wildfire preparedness.
Programs focused on community mitigation and fuels reduction frequently prioritize projects that show strong local participation and coordination between fire departments, residents, and partners.
For example, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Ready, Set, Go! Program – Fuels Reduction Funding Awards supports fire departments implementing community fuels reduction projects. Participation in the Ready, Set, Go! program and documented community preparedness efforts are required for eligibility.
Wildfire funding programs are often highly competitive. Many programs receive far more applications than they can support, so proposals are evaluated using detailed scoring criteria and compared against other projects competing for the same funds.
From a reviewer’s perspective, competitive applications clearly and thoroughly respond to every required question in the application. Strong proposals provide enough narrative detail for reviewers to understand exactly what work will be completed, where the work will occur, who will carry it out, and how the project reduces wildfire risk.
Applications often score lower when they:
Competitive proposals also explain why the project should be prioritized for funding. Reviewers often look for applicants to clearly describe the risks, consequences, or missed opportunities if the work does not move forward. Projects that demonstrate urgency, community benefit, and clear risk reduction tend to stand out during the review process.
Each funding program is designed to support specific types of work and has its own priorities, eligibility rules, and evaluation criteria. Even if a project addresses wildfire risk, it may not be competitive if it does not align closely with the goals of the funding program.
Before preparing an application, it is important to review the program guidance carefully and consider whether the project clearly supports the program’s stated objectives. Strong applications demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed work and the outcomes the funding program is intended to achieve.
In many cases, projects that are not a good fit for one program may still be strong candidates for a different funding opportunity.
Not necessarily. Pursuing every available funding opportunity can sometimes dilute effort and lead to applications that are not well aligned with the goals of the program.
Successful grant strategies typically focus on funding opportunities that clearly match the project, the applicant’s eligibility, and the priorities outlined in the program guidance. Preparing a strong, well-aligned proposal often requires careful planning, coordination with partners, and time to develop a clear project description and budget.
Communities are often more successful when they focus on a smaller number of well-matched opportunities rather than submitting multiple applications that only partially align with program priorities.