Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grant

Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grants are provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry to communities, groups, and organizations to make their homes safer from wildlife. Examples of program recipients are cities, towns, and communities with a risk or potential for loss from wildland fires. Communities who have developed a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP) are eligible for funding to implement hazard mitigation and community education projects identified in their CWPP.

The FY 2023 Grant Timeline is below. The application period for FY 2024 will be from September 1 to October 13, 2023.

Eligibility

Hazard Mitigation Grants fund community outreach, education, emergency planning, and hazard mitigation activities such as fuel reduction through thinning and prescribed burning. Necessary activities are identified through the development of a required Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

The types of grants offered include:

1. Start-up Grants: A community beginning to develop their CWPP can apply for a $1,000 startup grant. The intent of this grant is to assist communities defer the initial costs of education, outreach, planning, and field work associated with developing their CWPP. On the ground mitigation activities are not covered in this grant. This grant can be applied for at any time of the year.
2. Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants: This type of grant can be used for a wide range of hazard mitigation activities are based on the current Action Plan of their approved CWPP. The initial grant provided to the community is limited to a maximum of $20,000. Subsequent grants can be submitted by the community annually for up to $10,000.
3. Community Education Grants: This type of grant can be used for community meetings and education events by a community based on the current Action Plan of their approved CWPP. This grant amount is limited to a maximum of $500.00 annually. Communities cannot receive a Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant and a Community Education Grant in the same year.

Application

The Division has partnered with the Appalachian Resource, Conservation and Development Council (ARCD) in the administration and management of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant program. The Division reviews and approves all applications for grant assistance and provides direction to the ARCD for approved community grant expenditures. Communities will be required to sign an agreement with the ARCD to make authorized expenditures. The ARCD will provide the community with written guidelines on how to make expenditures and submit their expenses for reimbursement.

More information on Hazard Mitigation Program Grant information, guidance and procedures can be found in the Tennessee Fire Adapted Communities Desk Reference.