Proposition 4 Wildfire
🏛 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 10, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research, planning, and habitat acquisition focused on golden eagle conservation and wind energy impacts. Public agencies, state departments, colleges, universities, tribal governments, and nonprofits may apply. Applicants must demonstrate capacity through past performance or expertise. Projects must be completed by March 30, 2031. Applicants proposing work on lands they don't own must provide written permission from landowners; habitat improvement projects need 25+ years of land tenure.
Geographic scope is California. Grant funds cannot satisfy regulatory compliance or mitigation requirements. Threatened or endangered species handling requires appropriate permits at proposal submission.
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Program description
Projects funded under the Fire category must fall within Chapter 3 of Proposition 4, focused on Wildfire and Forest Resilience. To qualify, projects must meet Section 91520, and include at least one purpose listed in Section 91520(j). Eligible activities may improve local fire prevention capacity, enhance forest health and resilience, or reduce the risk of wildfire spreading from wildlands into populated areas. In addition, each project must address at least one of the following: watershed improvement, wildfire resilience, chaparral or forest restoration, or workforce development. Proposition 4 Wildfire
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Statement of qualifications and experience
- Written landowner permission (if applicable)
- Proof of 25-year land tenure (for habitat improvement projects)
- Permits for threatened or endangered species (if applicable)
- Resolution or signature authority documentation (for public entities)
Program contact
- 📧 grants@smmc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-310-589-2899
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 9 | 9 | 100% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Public agencies, state departments, colleges, universities, tribal governments, and nonprofits can apply. You must demonstrate capacity to deliver project objectives through past performance or relevant expertise.
What is the deadline and award amount?
The deadline is June 16, 2025. Awards range from $10,000 to $1,500,000, and partial funding is possible.
What types of activities are funded?
Priority goes to golden eagle research, especially wind energy impacts. Eligible activities include surveys, habitat assessments, collision risk modeling, telemetry analysis, deterrent evaluation, and habitat acquisition.
Do I need to provide written permission to access land?
Yes, for work on land you don't own or manage. For habitat improvement projects, you need written proof of land tenure for at least 25 years.
Can grant funds be used for regulatory compliance?
No. Funds cannot satisfy federal, state, or local regulatory requirements, mitigation, avoidance, or monitoring mandated by law.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly demonstrate your organization's capacity to deliver through letters of recommendation, past project summaries, or staff expertise statements.
- If your project involves handling endangered species or working on others' lands, secure all required permits and written permissions before submitting your proposal.
- Focus your research on wind energy impacts to golden eagles; this is the stated funding priority and gives your application a competitive edge.
- For habitat projects, document your 25-year land tenure agreement early and include it with your proposal to avoid delays or rejection.
- Budget carefully within the $1,500,000 maximum; proposals exceeding this limit will not be considered.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when applicants lack documented capacity or expertise in eagle biology and conservation. Proposals proposing land work without written landowner permission or valid 25-year tenure agreements get rejected. Vague or unfocused research plans that don't clearly address wind energy impacts to golden eagles score poorly.
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