2026 Wildfire Resilience Block Grants
🏛 Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 9, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California Native American Tribes seeking to build long-term capacity in climate and housing work. Eligible applicants include federally recognized and non-federally recognized Tribes listed on the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) Contact List as of February 2026. Non-federally recognized Tribes must be registered with the California Secretary of State as a nonprofit, for-profit corporation, or LLC. Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) listed in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's National Directory are also eligible.
Funding supports staff salaries and activities that advance climate and housing work. Eligible activities include planning, securing funding, and implementing housing projects that advance climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
Awards range from $350,000 to $420,000 for a 36-month grant term. No cost-sharing is required. Advance payments require federally recognized Tribal awardees to sign a limited waiver of sovereign immunity.
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Program description
Projects under this grant: Make funding available through agreements with private nonindustrial forest landowners to pay for specific, non-commercial ecological forest improvement and wildfire resilience practices to the extent they support reforestation and longevity of existing regeneration.Provide technical assistance to promote information sharing and education on the full range of effective reforestation practices and opportunities as well as forest management education and management planni Promote long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils through reforestation and reduction of forest overcrowding and pests. Further the goals of the California Forest Carbon Plan, California’s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, California’s Wildfire & Forest Resilience Action Plan, California’s Strategic Plan for Expanding the Use of Beneficial Fire, and AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan.CAL FIRE seeks to significantly increase reforestation of forests degraded by overcrowding, drought, pest infestation, and catastrophic fire.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Proof of Tribe's status on NAHC Contact List or HUD's National Directory
- Project narrative describing climate and housing goals
- Budget and budget narrative with salary justifications
- Organizational capacity statement
- Tribal resolution or board approval (if required by Tribe)
Program contact
- 📧 stewart.mcmorrow@fire.ca.gov
- 📞 1-530-379-5085
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
California Native American Tribes on the NAHC Contact List as of February 2026 (federally and non-federally recognized) and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) in HUD's National Directory are eligible. Non-federally recognized Tribes must be registered with California Secretary of State.
What is the funding amount and grant term?
Awards range from $350,000 to $420,000 for a 36-month (3-year) grant term. No cost-sharing is required.
What activities can I fund with this grant?
Fund staff salaries and activities that advance climate and housing work, including planning, securing funding, and implementing housing projects that support climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
Does this grant require a waiver of sovereignty?
Reimbursement-based funding does not require a waiver. However, if you request advance payments as a federally recognized Tribe, you must sign a limited waiver of sovereign immunity.
What technical assistance is available?
The program offers no-cost, flexible technical assistance including grant application help, grant management support, planning, implementation, staff development, training, and peer learning.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with a clear climate and housing project plan before applying. Reviewers want to see realistic goals and timelines.
- Highlight your Tribe's current capacity gaps and explain how grant funding will address them. Connect salaries to specific, measurable outcomes.
- Leverage the no-cost technical assistance early. Attend trainings and connect with other grantees to strengthen your proposal.
- Submit reimbursement documentation on schedule to avoid delays. Build a strong finance and grant management system before the award arrives.
- Document your partnerships with state, local, and nonprofit organizations. Collaboration strengthens competitiveness and implementation success.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack concrete climate or housing project goals tied directly to Tribal priorities. Applicants underestimate staff capacity needs or fail to explain how salaries advance specific outcomes. Weak financial management plans or insufficient tracking systems for grant funds.
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