The Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program (CWDG) is a competitive grant program which provides grants to communities at risk from wildfire to develop or revise their community wildfire protection plans and carry out projects described within those plans.

Eligible Uses

Funds can support the development or update of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, or to implement projects that have been described within a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Eligible Recipients

Academic institutions, non-profit organizations, tribal governments, states, local governments and territories are eligible for this program if they fall within an area at-risk for wildfire.

Approx Annual Funding Amount

Available program funding will be identified once the next application period is announced.

Cost Share Requirements

Cost share is required depending on project type, but a waiver of matching requirements may be available for some applicants. 

Application Cycle

The next application period has not yet been announced, but is anticipated in Fall/Winter 2026.

Contact

Tim Melchert, Program Specialist, timothy.melchert@usda.gov