Action, Implementation, & Mitigation ( AIM) Grants

The Action, Implementation, and Mitigation (AIM) Grants, offered by COCO, support organizations in enhancing wildfire risk reduction efforts. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and local governments, with funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. Projects should align with broader wildfire strategies and require a 100% cash or in-kind match, promoting inclusive and effective community mitigation approaches.

COCO (a Colorado-based nonprofit) started the Action, Implementation and Mitigation (AIM) Program to accelerate fire adaptation concepts and reduce the risk from wildfire across the U.S. by increasing capacity and on-the-ground work. Since its inception in 2018, we have supported over 90 organizations. COCO hopes to increase community resilience, restore fire-adapted ecosystems and create safer conditions for residents and firefighters. This funding opportunity is open to organizations working to advance wildfire risk reduction.
The AIM grant is available for a wide variety of capacity-building activities, including personnel, planning efforts, and wildfire risk reduction work on non-federal lands.
COCO funds organizations across the country with a focus on programs and projects that increase communities’ ability to overcome barriers to successful community wildfire mitigation, multiply the efforts, achieve quantifiable outcomes, support equitable and inclusive community wildfire mitigation programs across the fence, and support place-based solutions.
COCO will be looking to fund a variety of different types of projects across the country. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposal fits into the larger community wildfire strategy, including coordination with federal partners on nearby public lands. Applicants must contribute a 100% match (cash or in-kind match is eligible).  Award funding may range from $10,000 – $75,000. Grants are contracted for a period of one year.

Eligibility

The organization must have a nonprofit (501c3) status or have a nonprofit or local government fiscal sponsor that may include:Conservation DistrictRegional and local collaborative effortsFire Safe Councils and/or Wildfire CouncilsNon-profit groups that promote hazardous forest fuel reduction treatment projects in partnership with local, state or private entitiesFire departmentsTribal authoritiesCity or county governmentAdditional eligibility qualifications:Communities at high risk of wildfire in proximity to public landsOrganizations or community groups currently conducting or planning pre-fire mitigation activities aimed at protecting their communities, watersheds, and ecosystemsGroups seeking funding and/or mentorship to increase local capacity and conduct pre-fire mitigation/risk reduction activitiesOrganizations willing to collaboratively work with COCO staff to develop their mitigation projects and proposal for fundingOrganizations willing to share their lessons, challenges, and successes with national, state, and/or local Fire Adapted Communities NetworksOrganizations that can provide match in the form of cash or in-kind services (including volunteer hours)Organizations must comply with all grant reporting requirements and meet project completion milestones and deadlines

Ineligibility

Homeowner and Property Owner Associations (HOA/POA), Metro Districts, and other similar homeowner groups are not eligible to apply.