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Fire Safe Council Grant Program

SAN DIEGO REGIONAL FIRE & EMERGENCY

Foundation Annual Disaster Preparedness & Relief GrantsEnvironmental Education GrantsCommunity Services GrantsGrants for Grassroots Organizations
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Funding Amount

$300,000 total (distributed to 31 councils in 2025); varies by council

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Fire Safe Council Grant Program

Funder: San Diego Regional Fire Foundation, San Diego River Conservancy, San Diego Gas & Electric

Geographic Scope: San Diego County, California - 50+ Fire Safe Councils throughout the region

Focus Areas:

  • Wildfire prevention and preparedness

  • Community education and engagement

  • Fire-hardening homes and improvements

  • Removing flammable plantings and vegetation management

  • Hosting vegetation chipping events

  • Installing reflective address signage (critical for emergency response)

  • Emergency preparedness education and planning

  • Equipment acquisition for fire mitigation work

    • Eligibility:

  • Established Fire Safe Councils (community-led, volunteer-based organizations)

  • Organizations with a mission to protect homes and communities from wildfires

  • Councils in San Diego County

    • Eligible Activities:

  • Brush clearance and vegetation management

  • Community education programs

  • Evacuation preparation assistance

  • Defensible space creation around homes and businesses

  • Equipment purchases (chippers, vehicles, signage equipment)

  • Community events and emergency preparedness workshops

  • Environmental cleanup (metal, electronics, e-waste)

    • Recent Awards:

  • 2025 (announced June 25): $300,000 to 31 Fire Safe Councils

  • 2024 (announced May 30): $250,000 to 24 Fire Safe Councils

  • 2024 (announced April 3): $378,958 to 13 councils in San Diego River Watershed

  • 2023 (announced August 21): $123,610 to 18 Fire Safe Councils

    • Impact Metrics (2024):

  • 16,000 volunteer hours invested

  • 1.5 million cubic feet of vegetation cleared

  • 178 tons (356,000 pounds) of trash, metal, and e-waste collected

  • 53,000 newsletters distributed

  • 100 wildfire safety education events presented

    • Eligible Fire Safe Councils Include:
    Alpine/Viejas, Alvarado Estates, Campo/Lake Morena, College Canyons, Chula Vista, Crest, Cuyamaca Woods, Escondido, Eucalyptus Hills, Fallbrook, Inland Rural, Jamul, Julian, Kensington, Lakeside/San Diego Audubon Society, Los Tules at Warner Springs, Mt. Laguna, Normal Heights, Olivenhain, Palomar Mountain, Potrero/Tecate, Poway, Ramona, West End, Rancho Helix de Oro, Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego Bird Alliance/Lakeside, San Elijo Hills, Santee Lakes, Sorrento Valley, Talmadge, University City, Via Crest, Wynola Estates

    Contact:

  • San Diego Regional Fire Foundation

  • Phone: 619.814.1352

  • Address: 2508 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 160, San Diego, CA 92106

  • Email: [contact information on website]

  • Executive Director: Joan Jones

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Specific step-by-step application details are not fully provided in the available documentation.

    To Apply:
    1. Access the Fire Safe Council Grant Portal at sdfirefoundation.org
    2. Contact the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation:
    - Phone: 619.814.1352
    - Address: 2508 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 160, San Diego, CA 92106
    - Portal: Fire Safe Council Grant Portal

    General Requirements:

  • Must be an established Fire Safe Council organization

  • Must be located in San Diego County

  • Applications typically include:

    • - Organizational information
    - Project descriptions and goals
    - Budget requirements
    - Community impact plans

    Note: Contact the foundation directly for current application deadlines, specific forms, and detailed requirements.

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    disaster-reliefenvironmental-educationcommunity-servicesgrassroots

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Disaster Preparedness & Relief GrantsEnvironmental Education GrantsCommunity Services GrantsGrants for Grassroots Organizations

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