California Fire Safe Council Inc
California Fire Safe Council Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Sacramento, California (with operations also noted in McClellan, CA). Founded in 1993, the organization serves as California's leader in community wildfire risk reduction and resiliency. The organization operates as a grant clearinghouse, reviewing, selecting, funding, and monitoring grants to local organizations, nonprofits, and local government agencies for wildfire prevention and education. It also provides technical assistance and educational opportunities to local Fire Safe councils throughout the state.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.6M
+104.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.7M
+104.4% YoY
Grant Count
69
+1.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$198K
+101.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: "Mobilize Californians to protect their homes, communities and environment from wildfires."
The organization is dedicated to empowering local communities to build resilient, wildfire-adapted neighborhoods, safeguarding both people and natural resources across California. Primary focus areas include:
- Wildfire prevention and education
- Community collaboration and coordination among wildfire mitigation groups
- Home hardening education
- Community fire planning
- Support for local Fire Safe councils (network of 300+ councils)
- Services to vulnerable and under-resourced communities
Grantmaking
California Fire Safe Council acts as a significant grant distributor within California's wildfire prevention ecosystem.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
California statewide, with particular emphasis on at-risk counties. The organization has provided funding across 17 at-risk counties and maintains a network of 300+ local Fire Safe councils throughout the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2023):
- Total Revenue: $10,016,941
- Total Expenses: $9,892,628
- Total Assets: $3,215,216
- Total Liabilities: $1,841,000
- Employees: 24
Additional Financial Information:
- Tax-exempt status since October 2002
- EIN: 75-3078419
- An independent audit for fiscal year ending December 2023 identified a material weakness in internal controls related to financial and governance controls
Rating: Received a Three-Star rating with an 87% score, indicating good financial accountability and governance.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,564,920 | $3,215,216 | $3,717,541 |
| Revenue | $18,693,705 | $10,016,941 | $8,235,781 |
| Expenses | $18,740,759 | $9,892,628 | $7,735,326 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $213 | $2,241 | $883 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
237 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from California Fire Safe Council Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Central Ventura Fire Safe Council ($583,722), County of Humboldt ($525,000), Lassen County Fsc ($494,219).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMADOR FIRE SAFE COUNCIL PINE GROVE, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $205,325 |
| AUDUBON CANYON RANCH STINSON BEACH, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $65,000 |
| BERKELEY FIRE DEPARTMENT BERKELEY, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $100,000 |
| BUTTE COUNTY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL PARADISE, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $151,613 |
| CENTRAL VENTURA FIRE SAFE COUNCIL VENTURA, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $583,722 |
| CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT CONCORD, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $87,500 |
| COUNTY OF ALPINE MARKLEEVILLE, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $132,345 |
| COUNTY OF CALAVERAS SAN ANDREAS, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $150,098 |
| COUNTY OF COLUSA COLUSA, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $87,500 |
| COUNTY OF EL DORADO WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE PLACERVILLE, CA | WILDFIRE PREVENTION | $114,782 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Co-Chair: Laura Blaul
- Co-Chair: Pat Frost
- Interim Executive Director: Jessica Martinez (joined February 2026)
- Executive Director: Jacy Hyde
- Chief Financial Officer: Joel Rusco
- Chief Development Officer: Melanie Hogan
- Board Members: Troy Whitman, Angie Gibson
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAT FROST | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| KATE DARGAN | CO-VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| REX FRAZIER | CO-VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ANGIE GIBSON | CO-TREASURER | 2 | — |
| DAVID HORNE PHD | CO-TREASURER | 2 | — |
| LAURA BLAUL | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| CHRIS ANTHONY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| FRANK BIGELOW | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CHRIS OCHOA | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SETH SCHALET | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DAVID SHEW | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| TROY WHITMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JACY HYDE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $170,676 |
| JOEL RUSCO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $116,250 |
| JESSICA MARTINEZ | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $136,867 |
| BECCA JOYNER | PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH MANAGER | 40 | $108,465 |
| JULIA MARSILI | GRANTS MANAGER | 40 | $104,841 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
California Fire Safe Council announced over $2 million in grants to support wildfire reduction projects in 17 at-risk counties across California
Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council awarded wildfire prevention grant | AlpineCAL FIRE awarded $43.5 million in local fire prevention grants, with California Fire Safe Council involved in distribution
Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council awarded wildfire prevention grant | AlpineMountain Rim Fire Safe Council received a wildfire prevention grant (January 2026)
Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council awarded wildfire prevention grant | AlpineThe organization continues to expand the Wildfire County Coordinator Program, which has now funded coordinators in 52 of California's 58 counties
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does California Fire Safe Council Inc fund?
**Mission:** "Mobilize Californians to protect their homes, communities and environment from wildfires." The organization is dedicated to empowering local communities to build resilient, wildfire-adapted neighborhoods, safeguarding both people and natural resources across California. Primary focus areas include: • Wildfire prevention and education • Community collaboration and coordination among wildfire mitigation groups • Home hardening education • Community fire planning • Support for local …
How do I apply for a grant from California Fire Safe Council Inc?
California Fire Safe Council acts as a significant grant distributor within California's wildfire prevention ecosystem. **Grant Activity:** • Made 41+ grants totaling approximately $4.07 million in 2023 • Recent grantees include: • Spatial Informatics Group Natural Assets Laboratory (SIG-NAL): $756,549 for wildfire prevention • Butte County Fire Safe Council: $651,326 for wildfire prevention • Urban Corps of San Diego County: $206,351 for wildfire prevention • Typical award range: $6,173–$958,3…
Where does California Fire Safe Council Inc make grants?
California statewide, with particular emphasis on at-risk counties. The organization has provided funding across 17 at-risk counties and maintains a network of 300+ local Fire Safe councils throughout the state.
What size grants does California Fire Safe Council Inc award?
In 2024, California Fire Safe Council Inc awarded 69 grants totaling $13.7M — an average of about $198K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is California Fire Safe Council Inc's EIN?
California Fire Safe Council Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-3078419. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Fire Safe Council Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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