Closed

California state funding opportunity

Rural Fire Capacity

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

  • Portal ID9104
  • StatusClosed
0 days — this opportunity has closed Wed, May 4, 2022
PostedFeb 16, 2022 ClosesMay 4, 2022
Request grant support

Competitive proposals usually start 6+ weeks out.

$1.5M Est. available funding
Between $500 and $20,000 Award amount
Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc. Number of awards
50% Matching funds

Program summary

Synopsis

The Rural Fire Capacity Grant Program provides funding to organize, train, and equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities to prevent and suppress fires.

Cost-share funds will be awarded to local governments to provide assistance to rural areas in upgrading their capability to organize, train, and equip local forces for fire protection. Awards will be limited to a minimum of $500 and a projected maximum of $20,000. Further assistance may be provided through loans from other sources of Federal funds for purchase of major items of equipment and facilities. Proposed projects should be compatible with existing protection of state, county, and local areas.  Communities or agencies imposing strict boundary limits, i.e., excluding rural residents will not be considered in this program. The use of funds for new fire engines and other vehicles are not allowed. However, the cost of the conversion of vehicles obtained through the Federal Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP) to water tenders, engines, brush trucks, and equipment trucks may be funded under the RFC grant. Training of local fire forces in both wildfire and structural fire techniques is a primary goal of this grant. The program should include a basic training program of at least 40 hours. In addition, an advanced training course of at least 40 hours should be developed. Communications, for alarm systems and dispatch capabilities, should be considered an integral part of the rural fire department. Funds are available for the development and purchase of radio equipment for dispatching centers, vehicles and alert monitors, and pagers. Requests for construction projects of any type are NOT fundable. Requests for HAZMAT, extrication, rescue, medical aid, and other non-fire training costs or materials are NOT fundable.

Timeline

Key dates

  • February 16, 2022
    Opportunity posted to California Grants Portal
  • May 4, 2022
    Applications close
  • August 2022
    Expected award date

Who may apply

Eligibility

Eligible applicant types as published by the awarding agency:

  • Nonprofit
  • Public Agency
  • Tribal Government
Additional info on eligibility
Funding for departments must meet at least one of the following qualifications:   1.     A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less.   2.     Area fire departments (fire districts, townships, etc.) may serve an aggregate population of greater than 10,000 as long as the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less. The RFC funding must be used to benefit the rural population.   3.     A single county or town with a population over 10,000 which is served by two or more fire districts operating entirely within the bounds of the county or town may qualify as long as the service area of a given fire department includes a rural area or a rural community or the population of the fire department's jurisdiction is 10,000 or less. The RFC funding must be used for the rural area.   4.     A single community with a population greater than 10,000 and having a single fire department with one or more fire stations may qualify. The fire department must have a service area that includes a rural area or community that does not exceed 10,000 population. Also a single community with a population greater than 10,000 which also provides fire protection to an adjoining rural community of 10,000 or less population by contract may also be eligible provided the RFC funding is used entirely to support the rural community. A single community fire department serving a population greater than 10,000 and not providing protection to a rural area or to a rural community is not eligible for RFC financial assistance.
Geography
Funding for departments must meet at least one of the following qualifications:   1.     A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less.   2.     Area fire departments (fire districts, townships, etc.) may serve an aggregate population of greater than 10,000 as long as the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less. The RFC funding must be used to benefit the rural population.   3.     A single county or town with a population over 10,000 which is served by two or more fire districts operating entirely within the bounds of the county or town may qualify as long as the service area of a given fire department includes a rural area or a rural community or the population of the fire department's jurisdiction is 10,000 or less. The RFC funding must be used for the rural area.   4.     A single community with a population greater than 10,000 and having a single fire department with one or more fire stations may qualify. The fire department must have a service area that includes a rural area or community that does not exceed 10,000 population. Also a single community with a population greater than 10,000 which also provides fire protection to an adjoining rural community of 10,000 or less population by contract may also be eligible provided the RFC funding is used entirely to support the rural community. A single community fire department serving a population greater than 10,000 and not providing protection to a rural area or to a rural community is not eligible for RFC financial assistance.

Awarding agency

Additional information

Agency name
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Full announcement
View the full announcement ↗
Grantor contact
Megan Esfandiary
1-916-894-9845
megan.esfandiary@fire.ca.gov

Funding

Funding source

Source
Federal
Funding method
Reimbursement(s)
Notes
United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance

Government Grants Consulting

Federal, state, and local grant funding is highly competitive, and the gap between a complete application and a winning one usually comes down to strategy, compliance, and execution. GTC 360° Advisors supports organizations across the entire grant lifecycle — from identifying the right opportunities to managing the award long after it is won. The questions below cover how our grant consulting practice works and the organizations we serve.

  • What is government grant consulting, and how does GTC 360° Advisors help?

    Government grant consulting means guiding an organization through the full grant lifecycle — research, eligibility review, strategy, writing, submission, and post-award compliance. GTC 360° Advisors manages this end to end, pairing grant writers, project managers, financial analysts, and compliance analysts to maximize the odds of an award and keep it in good standing afterward.
  • What types of organizations can GTC 360° Advisors help win grants?

    GTC 360° Advisors supports municipalities, state agencies, nonprofits, school districts, tribal governments, higher education institutions, and private companies pursuing grant funding. Clients have included the City of Los Angeles, Texas A&M University, the Montana State University System, Virginia Commonwealth University, and nonprofit partners such as the Walton Family Foundation and Blue Meridian Partners.
  • What federal agencies has GTC 360° Advisors secured funding from?

    GTC 360° Advisors has secured funding from agencies including the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Commerce (EDA and NIST), Education, and State, as well as FEMA, EPA, NSF, NIH, HRSA, SAMHSA, and the CDC. The firm has won over $860 million and counting in federal and state contracts and grants for its clients.
  • Does GTC 360° Advisors handle state and local grants, or only federal?

    GTC 360° Advisors pursues grant funding at the local, state, federal, and international levels. The firm’s advisor network is positioned in every state to help clients identify and compete for regional and state-level funding in addition to federal opportunities.
  • What is GrantSignal AI, and how does it help find grant opportunities?

    GrantSignal AI is GTC 360° Advisors’ AI-powered funding intelligence platform. It aggregates federal, foundation, and other public funding sources into a single dashboard, then uses AI to match opportunities to an organization’s mission, eligibility, and capacity — rather than relying on simple keyword search — and sends alerts as new, winnable opportunities appear.
  • Does GTC 360° Advisors provide grant compliance and post-award management?

    Yes. GTC 360° Advisors manages grants through close-out, including compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), Davis-Bacon labor standards, Section 3, environmental review requirements, and funder reporting obligations. The firm builds compliance systems and reporting frameworks so clients stay in good standing with federal and state grantors.
  • What is GTC 360° Advisors’ track record on grant applications?

    GTC 360° Advisors has historically maintained an 88%-plus win rate on the grant applications it has submitted, including a 100% win rate in 2024 across several highly competitive programs. Recent wins include $180 million in EDA Tech Hubs funding for three consortia and $20 million in EDA Recompete funding for the City of Birmingham, Alabama.
  • Can nonprofits and higher education institutions work with GTC 360° Advisors on grants?

    Yes. GTC 360° Advisors regularly supports nonprofits and universities with grant strategy, writing, and administration, including current work with the Walton Family Foundation, Blue Meridian Partners, Texas A&M University, the Montana State University System, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Working With GTC 360° Advisors

Every engagement is scoped around the organization in front of us — its goals, its deadline, and the internal capacity it already has. Pricing, team assignments, and project milestones are agreed before any work begins, so there are no surprises mid-project. Below are the questions prospective clients and partners ask us most often.

  • How much does it cost to work with GTC 360° Advisors?

    Pricing is customized to the scope, timeline, and budget of each engagement, with both hourly and fixed-fee options available depending on the deliverable. GTC 360° Advisors prices transparently, with no hidden fees for administrative or incidental work, and structures fees so clients gain a full team of senior professionals for less than the cost of a single in-house hire.
  • What is the process for getting started with GTC 360° Advisors?

    Engagements typically start with a conversation about your organization’s goals, funding needs, or growth targets, followed by a scoped proposal outlining services, team, and pricing. From there, GTC 360° Advisors assigns team members matched to the work and begins with research, strategy, or capture planning, depending on the engagement.
  • How long does it take to see results from a grant or contract engagement?

    Timelines vary by opportunity: some grant or contract cycles run a few months from research to submission, while others (large infrastructure or multi-year programs) take longer and continue through post-award management. GTC 360° Advisors sets clear project timelines and milestones at the start of every engagement so clients know what to expect.
  • Does GTC 360° Advisors work with organizations outside the United States?

    GTC 360° Advisors primarily supports U.S.-based government contracts, grants, and business development, but its public affairs and business development services extend internationally through its global partner network for clients running cross-border campaigns.
  • Can I join the GTC 360° Advisors Network as a consultant or subject matter expert?

    Yes. GTC 360° Advisors welcomes applications from experienced firms and freelancers who align with its mission and values to join the GTC 360° Advisors Network, giving members access to mutual marketing, referrals, and new client opportunities.
  • How do I contact GTC 360° Advisors to discuss a project?

    You can reach GTC 360° Advisors at info@gtc360.com or through the contact form at gtc360.com/join-our-network. The firm typically responds to discuss goals, funding needs, or growth targets and outline next steps for an engagement.

Planning for the next cycle?

Tell us the opportunity and we will come back with an honest read on fit, the partners you would need, and what a compliant submission takes.

Request grant support

×

Request Grant Support from GTC 360° Advisors

Our expert team at GTC 360° Advisors can help develop your grant strategy, recruit partner organizations, write your full proposal, compile and manage your budgets, and help you submit a compelling and compliant proposal on time.