California Fire and Emergency Services Grants

Check the listings below for deadlines and application periods

Are you part of an Emergency Services or Fire Service organization in California? The grants below could benefit your agency. Deadlines, application periods, and requirements vary. Check the listings below and go to the program websites for the latest information.

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Wildfire prevention and community protection


CalFIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants

Estimated deadline: Summer 2026

Award amount: $3 million or less (recommended). Equipment costs capped at $750,000 cumulative.

Match requirement: Not required, but encouraged.

More information: CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants

USDA: Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG)

Estimated deadline: March 2026

Award amount:

  • Up to $250,000 for creating or updating a Community Wildfire Protection Plan
  • Up to $10 million for projects within a Community Wildfire Protection Plan less than 10 years old
  • Total program funding for this round: up to $250 million

Match requirement: Yes

More information: USDA Forest Service – Community Wildfire Defense Grant

Note: Priority given to disadvantaged communities.

CNRA: Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation (Home Hardening Program)

Deadline: TBD

Award amount: Up to $500,000

Match requirement: None

More information: California Natural Resources Agency – Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation

CA FireSafe Council: State Fire Capacity (SFC) Grant

Estimated deadline: August 2026

Award amount: Up to $225,000

Match requirement: 1:1.5

Eligible applicants: Nonprofit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, municipalities (towns, cities, and counties), Joint Powers Authorities, Special Districts, and similar entities

More information: California Fire Safe Council – 2025 SFC Grant

California Fire Foundation: Statewide Grant Cycle

Deadline: LA and Ventura County applications currently open

Award amount: Up to $25,000

Match requirement: None specified


Hazard mitigation and disaster recovery


Cal OES: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

Deadline: Notices of Intent accepted on a rolling basis; funding renewal TBD

Award amount: Up to $150,000 for single-jurisdiction plans; up to $250,000 for multi-jurisdiction plans. Individual project maximums not specified.

Match requirement: Federal funds cover up to 75% of eligible costs. The remaining 25% must come from non-federal sources.

Eligible applicants: States, local communities, and tribal governments

More information: Cal OES – Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Cal OES: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire

Deadline: TBD

Award amount: $11 million total available

Match requirement: 25% (in-kind contributions accepted)

Eligible applicants: Local governments, including counties, cities, special districts, and tribal governments in eligible counties: San Bernardino, Butte, Riverside, Mariposa, Tehama, Kern, Los Angeles, and Lake

More information: Cal OES – Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

FEMA: Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP)

Deadline: TBD

Award amount: Approximately $500,000

Match requirement: None


Fire department operations, staffing, and equipment


FEMA: Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)

Estimated deadline: Spring 2026

Award amount: No minimum or maximum per award. $360 million available program-wide.

Match requirement: 25%

Eligible applicants: Fire departments

More information: FEMA – SAFER Program

CalFIRE: Rural Fire Capacity (RFC) Grant

Estimated deadline: March 2026

Award amount: $500 to $20,000

Match requirement: 50% (dollar-for-dollar)

More information: CalFIRE – Rural Fire Capacity Grant

Leary Firefighters Foundation: Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program

Deadline: August 15 annually (Letter of Intent)

Award amount: $2,500 to $25,000

Match requirement: None

Eligible applicants: Paid and volunteer fire departments

More information: Leary Firefighters Foundation – Grant Program

Brothers Helping Brothers

Deadline: Ongoing

Award amount: Varies. Past awards range from approximately $500 to $13,000.

Eligible applicants: Fire departments and EMS organizations serving a population under 10,000 with fewer than 30 employees, the majority of whom are volunteers or paid-on-call

More information: Brothers Helping Brothers


Firefighters Charitable Foundation

Deadline: Continuous

Award amount: Varies

Match requirement: None

Eligible applicants: Local fire and disaster relief organizations, volunteer fire departments, and community safety programs

More information: Firefighters Charitable Foundation – Fire Departments

Marathon Petroleum Foundation

Deadline: Ongoing

Award amount: Not specified

Match requirement: None

Eligible applicants: Nonprofits and federal, state, or local government entities in communities where Marathon has a significant presence

More information: Marathon Petroleum – Community Investment

Marathon Petroleum Foundation funds projects in two categories: environmental conservation and public safety.


Fire prevention, safety, and research


FEMA: Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S)

Estimated deadline: Spring 2026

Award amount: Up to $1.5 million

Match requirement: 5%

Eligible applicants: Fire departments, nonprofits, research foundations, public safety institutes, public health organizations, occupational health organizations, and injury prevention institutions

More information: FEMA – Fire Prevention and Safety Program

FM Global: Fire Prevention Grant Program

Estimated deadline: September 2026

Award amount: $5,000

Match requirement: None

Eligible applicants: Governmental units and nonprofits

More information: FM Global – Fire Prevention Grant Application


Urban forestry and green infrastructure


CalFIRE: Urban and Community Forestry Grant

Deadline: TBD

Award amount: $150,000 to $1.5 million (up to $3 million for regional projects)

Match requirement: None

More information: CalFIRE – Urban and Community Forestry Grant

USDA: Urban and Community Forestry Grant

Deadline: TBD

Award amount: $100,000 minimum; up to $50 million maximum. Match requirement may be waived for severely disadvantaged communities.

Match requirement: 50%

More information: USDA Forest Service – Urban and Community Forestry

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