California Fire Safe Council Inc logo

California Fire Safe Council Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Sacramento, CA EIN: 75-3078419 Website

California Fire Safe Council Inc is a public charity based in Sacramento, California. Formed in 2002, it supports community wildfire preparedness and resilience through grant funding, programmatic support, and technical assistance.

Key facts about California Fire Safe Council Inc

In short: California Fire Safe Council Inc gave $13.7M across 69 grants in 2024 (avg $198K), mostly in California. 49% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
75-3078419
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$13,693,002
Grants made (2024)
69
Average grant
$198,449
Median grant
$156,000
New grantees (estimate)
49% first-time grantees (34 of 69, 2024)
Total assets
$6,564,920
Primary geography
California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply
When a grant program is open, prospective applicants create an online account and apply through the Grants Clearinghouse. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · 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

Is California Fire Safe Council Inc open to new grantees?

49%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 34 of 69 grantees (49%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $177K; repeat grants $219K. How we count

Medians: $120K first-time, $181K repeat.

  • 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 219% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s stated mission is “to lead California communities in wildfire risk reduction and resiliency.” Its 2024 filing describes its role as reviewing, selecting, funding, and monitoring grants to local organizations, nonprofits, and local government agencies for wildfire prevention and education, while also providing technical assistance and educational opportunities, especially to local fire safe councils.

Its grantees include community fire safe councils and other local organizations and government agencies. For example, Central Ventura County Fire Safe Council describes itself as a grassroots, community-led organization that mobilizes residents through planning, programs, mitigation, and education. Lassen Fire Safe Council says it works with agency and private partners to help protect communities from wildfire effects. El Dorado County Fire Safe Council describes its work as wildfire safety education and fuel reduction projects.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the organization reported 69 grants totaling $13,693,002. Awards ranged from $6,173 to $958,373, with a median award of $156,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in California. The largest award was $958,373 to Spatial Informatics Group–Natural Assets Laboratory for wildfire prevention. Other large awards included $583,722 to Central Ventura Fire Safe Council and $525,000 to the County of Humboldt, both for wildfire prevention.

The organization administers State Fire Assistance grant programs and offers other federal, state, and private funding opportunities. Its website describes the Grants Clearinghouse as an online application process and recommends that prospective applicants read the relevant request for applications and grant application training handbook. The website lists the 2026 State Fire Capacity Grant Program as closed in May 2026 and reports no available grant programs at the time of the listed application information.

How to Apply

When a grant program is open, prospective applicants create an online account and apply through the Grants Clearinghouse. The organization recommends reviewing the program’s application materials and training handbook for requirements and guidance.

Open Grants

3 open opportunities from California Fire Safe Council Inc

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The organization’s work and grant programs focus on California. Its 2024 filing reports that all grant dollars went to California recipients.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.

Cities

Santa BarbaraUkiahVenturaAlturasCrescent CityNevada CityQuincySan DiegoSanta CruzSawyers BarWeavervilleAuberryDownievilleEurekaHayforkIdyllwildLakesideMarysvilleMount ShastaNapa

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$5M$10M$15M42 grants2020 49 grants2021 46 grants2022 68 grants2023 69 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.2M (2020) to $13.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 69 grants totaling $13.7M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Spatial Informatics Group- Natural Assets Laboratory: $958KSpatial Informatics Group-Natural Assets Laboratory$958KCentral Ventura Fire Safe Council: $584KCentral Ventura Fire SafeCouncil$584KCounty of Humboldt: $525KCounty of Humboldt$525KSan Mateo County: $505KSan Mateo County$505KLassen County FSC: $494KLassen County FSC$494KCounty of Madera: $460KCounty of Madera$460KLake County RCD: $445KLake County RCD$445KCounty of Tuolumne: $426KCounty of Tuolumne$426KEl Dorado County Fire Safe Council: $382KEl Dorado County Fire SafeCouncil$382KCounty of Solano: $345KCounty of Solano$345K

The largest 2024 recipient was Spatial Informatics Group- Natural Assets Laboratory ($958K). Together the top 10 received $5.1M.

Grant Size Distribution

274 grants across all recorded years

84<$50K80$50–100K79$100–250K21$250–500K10$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 84 grants of 274 (31%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Spatial Informatics Group- Natural Assets Laboratory Pleasanton, CAWildfire Prevention$958,373
Central Ventura Fire Safe Council Ventura, CAWildfire Prevention$583,722
County of Humboldt Eureka, CAWildfire Prevention$525,000
San Mateo County Redwood City, CAWildfire Prevention$505,000
Lassen County FSC Susanville, CAWildfire Prevention$494,219
County of Madera Madera, CAWildfire Prevention$460,488
Lake County RCD Lakeport, CAWildfire Prevention$445,269
County of Tuolumne Sonora, CAWildfire Prevention$425,866
El Dorado County Fire Safe Council Placerville, CAWildfire Prevention$381,625
County of Solano Fairfield, CAWildfire Prevention$345,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $6,564,920 $18,693,705 $18,740,759 $13,693,002
2023 $3,215,216 $10,016,941 $9,892,628 $6,700,443
2022 $3,717,541 $8,235,781 $7,735,326 $4,769,085
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$10M$20M$30M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
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
Net Investment Income$213$2,241$883

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 23, 2023)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Pat Frost as chair; Kate Dargan and Rex Frazier as co-vice chairs; Angie Gibson and David Horne, PhD, as co-treasurers; Laura Blaul as secretary; and Chris Anthony, Frank Bigelow, Chris Ochoa, and Seth Schalet as board members.

California Fire Safe Council Inc is led by Jacy Hyde, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 5 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Jacy Hyde

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $123K (2023) → $171K (2024)

  • Pat Frost

    Chair

    Board Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2023

    Co-Chair → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jessica Martinez

    Program Director

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $126K (2023) → $137K (2024)

  • Kate Dargan

    Co-Vice Chair

    Co-Chair & Interim Executive → Board Co Vice Chair, 2022

    Board Co Vice Chair → Co-Vice Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    $28K (2020) → $0 (2024)

  • Becca Joyner

    Programs & Outreach Manager

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $108K (2024)

  • Joel Rusco

    Chief Financial Officer

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $116K (2024)

  • Julia Marsili

    Grants Manager

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $105K (2024)

  • David Horne PhD

    Co-Treasurer

    Treasurer → Board Treasurer, 2022

    Board Treasurer → Co-Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Laura Blaul

    Secretary

    Board Member → Board Secretary, 2022

    Board Secretary → Secretary, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Troy Whitman

    Board Member

    Secretary → Board Interim Secretary, 2022

    Board Interim Secretary → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Angie Gibson

    Co-Treasurer

    Board Member → Co-Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Shew

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Ochoa

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Frank Bigelow

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rex Frazier

    Co-Vice Chair

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Anthony

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Seth Schalet

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (23)
  • Former: Bob Roper (2020–2023) — Co-Chair
  • Former: Lori Vance (2022–2023) — Business & Operations Officer
  • Former: Amber Gardner (2023) — Clearinghouse Manager
  • Former: Frank Steward (2020–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: J Lopez (2020–2022) — Board Co Chair
  • Former: Steve Hawks (2020–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Hedi Jalon (2021–2022) — Executive Director
  • Former: Richard Abrusci (2021–2022) — Business & Operations Officer
  • Former: Bruce Martin (2022) — Interim Executive Director
  • Former: Christopher Ochoa (2022) — Board Member
  • Former: George Mertens (2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Pat Kidder (2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Robert Roper (2022) — Board Chair
  • Former: Dave Shew (2020–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Ed Mertens (2020–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Jerry Davies (2020–2021) — Chair Emeritus
  • Former: Patrick Kidder (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
  • Former: Jay Lopez (2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Kenny Cooper (2021) — Administrator Business Officer
  • Former: Bob Raymer (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Larry Davis (2020) — Interim Executive Director
  • Former: Patricia Ciesla (2020) — Executive Director From Feb to Sep
  • Former: Ruben Grijalva (2020) — Chairman

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Jacy Hyde — Executive Director: $171KJacy HydeExecutive Director$171KJessica Martinez — Program Director: $137KJessica MartinezProgram Director$137KJoel Rusco — Chief Financial Officer: $116KJoel RuscoChief Financial Officer$116KBecca Joyner — Programs and Outreach Manager: $108KBecca JoynerPrograms and Outreach Manager$108KJulia Marsili — Grants Manager: $105KJulia MarsiliGrants Manager$105K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $171K, to Jacy Hyde (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 730 I Street 236, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 648-3600
Website: https://cafiresafecouncil.org

Frequently asked questions about California Fire Safe Council Inc

How much does California Fire Safe Council Inc give each year?

California Fire Safe Council Inc gave $13.7M across 69 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6.7M across 68 grants.

What is California Fire Safe Council Inc's typical grant size?

California Fire Safe Council Inc's median grant in 2024 was $156,000, and its average grant was $198,449, across 69 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from California Fire Safe Council Inc that year got $177K on average.

Where does California Fire Safe Council Inc give grants?

California Fire Safe Council Inc gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Barbara, CA (4 grants), Ventura, CA (2 grants), Lakeside, CA (2 grants) and Placerville, CA (2 grants).

Does California Fire Safe Council Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 69 grants with a stated purpose on California Fire Safe Council Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Wildfire Prevention" (69 grants).

Who are California Fire Safe Council Inc's largest grantees?

California Fire Safe Council Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Spatial Informatics Group- Natural Assets Laboratory ($958,373), Central Ventura Fire Safe Council ($583,722) and County of Humboldt ($525,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is California Fire Safe Council Inc?

California Fire Safe Council Inc reported $6.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.7M.

What does California Fire Safe Council Inc fund?

The organization’s stated mission is “to lead California communities in wildfire risk reduction and resiliency.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from California Fire Safe Council Inc?

When a grant program is open, prospective applicants create an online account and apply through the Grants Clearinghouse. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

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.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

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