DOF provides assistance through the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant program. The program provides a 50% cost reimbursement for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, and equipment for rural volunteer fire departments. As a key cooperator in the suppression of nearly every Virginia wildfire, this program allows the agency to provide critically-needed federal funding to directly support fire departments in the Commonwealth.
These grants are “50-50” matched grants. This means that grant approvals provide a 50% match of the actual amount expended for the items approved, up to the total approval amount of the grant. For example, to apply for a $1500 grant under the VFA program, the volunteer fire department must be prepared to spend $3000 to receive a reimbursement of $1500 following grant approval. Receipts marked “PAID” will be required prior to any reimbursement of the approved amount. Note that Virginia Department of Forestry is not allowed to provide full or partial grant funding for any one piece of equipment over $5,000 in cost.
The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant period opens February 15.
To Apply
ACTION REQUIRED TO RECEIVE FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING FROM DOF:
Previously, the federal government used the DUNS number to manage entities applying for grants. In April 2022, the federal government replaced DUNS with the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. Existing grant recipients and new applicants must obtain a UEI to apply for funding going forward.
To get your UEI, register with SAM.gov. If you are already registered, your UEI has been assigned. Follow this guide to find your UEI. Additional support can be found here.
Don’t wait for the grant cycle, get your UEI now.
Application Deadline
Deadline March 31 annually.
Applications are accepted via the System Access Portal for Forestry Grants.
System Access Portal for Forestry Grants
(Applicants must have their unique UEI number before beginning this process.)
View the user guides provided in the Resource Library below for help with registering for an account and submitting an application.
Additional Resources
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Forestry Grant Program -Time and Activity Log for Staff and Volunteers | 3.26 | Form | View | finance urb financial-assistance urban-and-community-forestry | form | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Agreement Signing | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with agreement signing. | User Guide | View | finance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management urb financial-assistance fire-and-emergency-response forest-management urban-and-community-forestry | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Filing a Claim | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with filing a claim. | User Guide | View | finance financial-assistance | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Registration User Guide | System Access Portal User Guide for registering to use the grants system. | User Guide | View | urb financial-assistance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response urban-and-community-forestry finance fire-and-emergency-response | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Requesting an Agreement Modification | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with requesting an agreement modification. | User Guide | View | finance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management urb financial-assistance fire-and-emergency-response forest-management urban-and-community-forestry | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants. | User Guide | View | financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response fire-and-emergency-response | user-guide | |
 | Virginia Department of Forestry Grants – Frequently Asked Questions | Document answers the most common questions asked about forestry grants, including application requirements, qualifying expenses, reimbursements and other how do I… questions. | Document | View | finance urb financial-assistance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response urban-and-community-forestry fire-and-emergency-response | document |
A variety of financial assistance programs exist through DOF and partner agencies for wildfire preparation and suppression, as well as forest management activities.
Explore All Financial Assistance Programs
Contact Us
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.