Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Community Directed Grant Program.
Donor Name: Whitebark Institute
State: California
County: Inyo County (CA), Mono County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/12/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Programs and projects funded by this opportunity must focus on wildfire prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery in high-fire risk areas. All programs and projects must support the protection or restoration of the environment or an ecosystem, improve forest health, or provide habitat for fish, wildlife or plants.
Funding Information
- Maximum funding per project: $5,000.
- Requests exceeding $5,000 will not be considered. However, requests may be for funds to supplement a project supported by multiple sources.
- Funding is for specific, tangible projects—not ongoing operational expenses.
Examples of Projects Eligible for Funding
Eligible projects must demonstrate tangible improvements in community wildfire safety and fit into one or more of the following categories.
- Defensible Space & Home Hardening
- Projects focused on reducing wildfire risk by improving defensible space and home hardening.
- Examples:
- Rentals of roll-off dumpsters for green-waste disposal from defensible space creation.
- Contracts with landscaping professionals for challenging defensible space projects.
- Purchase of home-hardening materials (e.g., vent covers, metal screens).
- High-visibility residential address signs and community education signage.
- Fire Response Infrastructure & Equipment
- Projects that enhance fire response capacity through infrastructure improvements or equipment upgrades
- Examples:
- Wildfire Mitigation & Vegetation Management Efforts
- Projects that focus on reducing the risk of wildfire through vegetation management or related efforts.
- Examples:
- Small-scale fuels reduction efforts, including contracts with prescribed-grazing (e.g., goats) professionals.
- Disassembly of campfire rings in dispersed camping areas.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants include Tribes, Fire Safe Councils, FireWise Communities, Fire Protection Districts, Fire Departments, Community Service Districts, Homeowner Associations, and non-profits.
- Projects must be located within SCE’s service area in Inyo or Mono Counties.
- Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible.
- Previous recipients are welcome to apply but are not guaranteed funding.
Grant funds cannot be used for:
- Salaries or administrative costs not directly associated with project completion
- Ongoing operational expenses.
- Projects outside of the SCE service area.
For more information, visit Whitebark Institute.
