Funding Priorities & Guidelines - California Fire Foundation Proposition 4 Grant

OVERVIEW

The California Fire Foundation (CFF) is a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Sacramento, CA. Formed in 1987, CFF’s mandate includes an array of survivor assistance projects and community initiatives. Since launching our first funding cycle, over 80% of the Governor-declared disasters have been wildfire-related. The last few fire years have been the deadliest and most destructive in California’s history.

Nearly 3 million California households – approximately one in 10 – are at high or extreme wildfire risk. California is home to more than 75 communities where at least 90 percent of residents live in very high fire risk corridors. Areas in California at the highest risk of burning are now among the Western United States' fastest-growing areas. As more people move into our state’s wildland-urban interface, the opportunity for fires to ignite rises -- and so does the number of people at risk.

Catastrophic, climate-driven events pose a significant risk to the public’s safety. But, too often, under-resourced communities and/or socially vulnerable populations in high-fire threat areas lack the resources and information needed to stay safe. CFF, fire departments, local firefighter associations, and other community-based organizations are positioned to partner, providing the resources needed to mitigate the risk of wildfires and other climate change-driven disasters.

Through this Proposition 4 grant program, the California Fire Foundation has been entrusted with $13.8 million to support wildfire prevention, firefighter safety, and community preparedness efforts across California. The first application cycle is expected to open in March 2026.

Please read the Proposition 4 FAQ’s before applying.

FOCUS AREAS

The California Fire Foundation supports projects that actively address disaster preparedness and/or prevention needs, which protect and enhance the public’s safety or the safety of California’s firefighters and other first responders, including:

Firefighter Health & Safety
Specialized Firefighting Equipment
Vegetation Mitigation & Fuels Reduction Education
Planning or Community Outreach Campaigns

GUIDELINES

Applicant must be a California-based fire department, firefighter association, or a nonprofit organization located in California. If applying through a fiscal agency, please note that the fiscal agent needs to be the lead applicant for the project.
Fire departments serving and firefighter associations representing the same community are eligible to individually apply for funding;
Project must benefit California communities, with priority given to under-resourced communities and socially vulnerable populations in high fire-threat areas;
Grant awards may be available up to $1,000,000, depending on the project scope and impact;
CFF does not require matching funds; and
Funding decisions are generally communicated within six to eight weeks after the application window closes. Applicants may track the status of their submissions on their grants portal dashboard.

Should you apply?

Eligible:
✅ Fire Departments
✅ Firefighter Associations
✅ 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
✅ Tribal Entities

Not Eligible:
❌ Individuals
❌ Private Businesses
❌ Political Campaigns or Lobbying Efforts
❌ Capital Projects
❌ Annual Fundraising Appeals