Volunteer Fire Assistance – Cooperative Forestry Assistance
🏛 Illinois Department of Natural Resources
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Jun 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Illinois rural fire departments and fire training academies seeking financial and technical assistance. Eligible applicants must be located in rural communities and may be at risk in the wildland-urban interface. Funding supports organizing, training, and equipping fire departments to prevent and suppress rural fires. Applicants can also access surplus federal resources through partner programs (FEPP & VFAIFS).
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
Provides financial, technical and related assistance for organizing, training and equipping rural fire departments. Funding is passed through to local fire departments and fire training academies; to prevent and suppress rural fires and enhance protection capabilities by assisting rural communities at risk in the wild land urban interface. This funding opportunity also allows IDNR to connect Illinois fire departments with surplus federal resources (FEPP & VFAIFS). FY’24 VFAIFS/FEPP Funding Federal Assistance Listing: 10.698. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 422-20-0094).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (Illinois GATA Catalog submission)
- Project narrative describing need and wildfire risk
- Budget and budget narrative
- Cost-sharing documentation
- Evidence of local commitment or partnership
Program contact
- 👤 Walker, Adrian
- 📧 Adrian.Walker2@illinois.gov
- 📞 217-524-9628
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.698 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$9,775,176
-
$7,720,699
-
$5,340,800
-
$4,525,283
-
$3,483,973
-
$3,327,000
-
$3,327,000
-
$3,192,060
-
$2,600,000
-
$2,492,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 12 awards $14.4M
- SD 3 awards $8.0M
- PA 7 awards $6.9M
- MN 8 awards $6.0M
- MI 5 awards $4.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Rural fire departments and fire training academies in Illinois can apply. Organizations at risk in the wildland-urban interface are prioritized.
What is the geographic scope?
This funding is limited to Illinois. The program specifically targets rural communities within the state.
What activities are funded?
Funding supports organizing, training, and equipping fire departments. Wildfire prevention and suppression capabilities are core priorities.
Is there cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required. Applicants must contribute matching funds as part of the award.
When is the deadline?
This is a rolling deadline program. Applications may be submitted throughout the year without a specific cutoff date.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your department's role in protecting the wildland-urban interface and serving rural communities.
- Document existing capacity gaps in training, equipment, or staffing to strengthen your case.
- Prepare detailed cost-sharing contributions that demonstrate local commitment.
- Connect your application to Illinois IDNR priorities and wildfire prevention strategies.
- Research and highlight any surplus federal resources your department can access through FEPP or VFAIFS programs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating cost-sharing requirements or proposing insufficient local match. Submitting vague descriptions of wildfire risk or prevention priorities without data. Failing to align request with state forestry and fire suppression goals.
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