Virginia Department
of Forestry

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.

To Apply

Application Deadline

Applications accepted July 1 – August 31, 2025. Due to limited funding, applications will be ranked on a competitive scale.

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. Ensure the UEI number is updated and viewable by public domain)

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	financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response urb financial-assistance fire-and-emergency-response urban-and-community-forestry finance	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.