Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grant

Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grants are provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Division of Forestry to communities, groups and organizations to make their homes and neighborhoods safer from wildfire. Examples of program recipients include cities, towns and communities at risk or with potential for loss from wildland fires.

Communities that 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 2027 grant application period is Oct. 15 through Nov. 15, 2026. The grant timeline is below. 

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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 expenses for reimbursement.

The link for the application will be accessible here Oct. 15 through Nov. 15, 2026.

Date Task
Oct. 15, 2026 Hazard Mitigation Grant Announcement posted on TDF website: https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire.
Oct. 15-Nov. 15, 2026 Grant Applications Received.
Nov. 16-30, 2026 Applications are rated and approved by Steering Committee.
Nov. 30, 2026 Applications forwarded to ARC&D.
Dec. 15, 2026 ARC&D sends grant contracts to communities for signature.
Dec. 15, 2026 Grant beginning date.
May 15, 2027 Grant ending date.
June 5, 2027 All Grant Invoices are due and must be submitted to the ARC&D.
June 15th, 2027 Grant reimbursements complete.

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:

Start-up Grants: A community beginning to develop its CWPP can apply for a $1,000 startup grant. The intent of this grant is to assist communities in deferring 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.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants: This grant type can be used for a wide range of hazard mitigation activities based on the current Action Plan of an approved CWPP. The initial grant provided to a community is limited to a maximum of $20,000. Subsequent grants can be submitted annually for up to $10,000.

Community Education Grants: This grant type can be used for community meetings and education events based on the current Action Plan of an approved CWPP. This grant is limited to a maximum of $500 annually. Communities cannot receive a Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant and a Community Education Grant in the same year.

Eligible Uses for Hazard Mitigation Funds

  • Costs related to assessments such as mailings, fire-adapted educational materials and photocopying.
  • Contractor costs to conduct assessments, write plans and create GIS mapping.
  • Vegetation management work such as bush hogging.
  • Costs related to mechanical removal or reduction of hazard fuel.
  • Development or improvement of an existing firebreak.
  • Equipment for fuel reduction including chain saws, blowers, mowers and bush hogs, plus related safety equipment such as chaps, goggles, hearing protection and face protection.
  • Widening cul-de-sacs and turnarounds for wildfire equipment access.
  • Fire-resistant signs, posts and installation costs to identify roads, residences and emergency exits.
  • Gate construction on emergency access roads.
  • Costs to install dry hydrants.
  • Leasing or contracting equipment and other resources to complete an eligible project.
  • Portable radios and cell phones.
  • Approved building materials or installation labor for mitigation projects such as fire-resistant street signs.
  • Items not on this list but approved by the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

Ineligible Uses for Hazard Mitigation Funds

  • Legal fees.
  • Salary or equipment costs of regular community employees.
  • Equipment exceeding $5,000.
  • Capital improvement projects. (Capital improvement means any permanent structure or asset added to a property that increases its value.)
  • Any project or item outside the intent of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy as interpreted by TDF.