2026 Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program
🏛 Sierra Nevada Conservancy (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 8, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California-based organizations pursuing urban greening and climate resilience projects. Applicants must own the property or demonstrate landowner willingness to negotiate site control. Projects must be in urban areas, provide public benefit, and offer public access.
Priority goes to projects benefiting vulnerable or disadvantaged communities, using conservation corps, or leveraging additional funding. At least 40% of total funding targets disadvantaged communities. Projects affecting tribal lands require meaningful outreach to California Native American tribes.
Nonprofits, local governments, and community organizations are typical applicants. For-profit entities may apply if structuring projects as public benefit initiatives.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
This Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Grant Program (Program) responds to recent legislation and executive orders addressing California’s wildfire crisis. In November of 2024, California voters approved Proposition 4, the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, commonly known as the “Climate Bond.” In April 2025, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 100 (Gabriel), which allocates $30.9 million from the 2024 Climate Bond to the SNC for the purposes of wildfire prevention and forest resilience, including improving local fire prevention capacity, improving forest health and resilience, and reducing the risk of wildfire spreading into populated areas from wildlands. This Program seeks to create more resilient forest landscapes and watersheds and reduce wildfire risk. The climate and ecological benefits of forest-restoration treatments are well known. Ecologically sound forest management, including beneficial fire, and community protection are critical in securing the overall well-being of the Sierra-Cascade. To be eligible to receive a grant award from the SNC under this Program, projects must meet all of the following criteria: Result in a clear, demonstrable, and enduring public benefit; be located within the Sierra-Cascade as defined by current SNC governing legislation; must align with one of the Program priorities identified in the guidelines; be consistent with the SNC mission and program areas as defined in the SNC Strategic Plan; be consistent with the requirements of the funding source and budget provisions; and meet all California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, as applicable. The SNC proposal process involves concept and full proposal phases. To initiate consideration of a project, an applicant must contact the appropriate SNC Area Representative. If it is determined that the SNC will consider the project, the applicant will receive a concept proposal form and SNC will assist in the development of the project. After concept proposals are submitted, the evaluation team will review them based on the first three evaluation criteria described in the Guidelines. These criteria are: 1) Public and Natural Resource Benefits and Alignment with Funding and Program Goals, 2) Project Design and Budget, and 3) Landscape Context. Based on the funding available, top scoring concept proposals may be invited to submit a full proposal. If it is determined that the SNC will consider partnering on the project, the applicant will be asked to submit a full proposal. The SNC will share the full proposal form with the applicant and assist in developing the project. The SNC may give favorable consideration to projects which: are forest-health projects that result in multiple benefits; involve California Native American tribes; were identified in a collaboratively developed regional plan, such as the Regional Priority Plan; directly benefit SDAC, DAC, or Vulnerable Populations; engage a workforce-development effort; or enable the equitable geographic distribution of SNC resources. Please review the full grant program guidelines.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Community Land Trust
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Step 1 Concept Proposal (May 4–June 4, 2026)
- Step 2 Full Proposal (July 2026, by invitation)
- Property ownership documentation or landowner commitment letter
- Community engagement and needs assessment documentation
- Climate resilience and equity analysis
- Budget and timeline
- Tribal outreach plan (if applicable)
Program contact
- 📧 shannon.ciotti@sierranevada.ca.gov
- 📞 1-530-906-7345
FAQ
What geographic areas are eligible?
Projects must be located in California urban areas. Rural or non-urban sites do not qualify.
How much funding can we request?
Awards range from $200,000 to $5,000,000. Larger projects with greater community impact are competitive.
Do we need to own the property?
You must own it or show the landowner will negotiate site control before submitting the full proposal.
What activities does the grant fund?
Urban greening, tree planting, green infrastructure, habitat creation, cooling projects, and workforce training aligned with state climate goals.
Does this grant prioritize certain projects?
Yes. Projects serving disadvantaged communities, using conservation corps, or leveraging other funding receive priority consideration.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building landowner relationships immediately. Concept proposals are due June 4; secure site control early.
- Emphasize direct, tangible benefits to vulnerable populations. Avoid vague or speculative claims about community impact.
- Document community engagement and input. Show how your project responds to expressed local needs.
- Leverage conservation corps services if possible. Using CCC or certified LCCs significantly strengthens competitiveness.
- Connect your project to California's Extreme Heat Action Plan and Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets in your narrative.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing projects in non-urban areas or on sites where landowner support is unclear. Overstating benefits or listing indirect/incidental advantages instead of direct, measurable community outcomes. Failing to document meaningful community engagement or how the project responds to expressed local needs.
Similar grants
- ROLLING 2026 Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program — Sierra Nevada Conservancy (California)
- ROLLING 2026 Wildfire Resilience Block Grants — Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (California)
- OPEN Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants Solicitation 2026 — Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (California)
- ROLLING Prop 4 – Wildfire and Forest Resilience — San Diego River Conservancy (California)
- ROLLING Transformative Climate Communities Round 6 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Grant (FY 25-26) — Strategic Growth Council (California)