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

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.