Community Wildfire Prevention Grants

As part of our Wawanesa Climate Champions commitment to help build more climate resilient communities across Canada, we are proud to once again offer our Community Wildfire Prevention Grants.

Supporting community wildfire prevention is one of the ways we help build a safer, more sustainable future for our communities. In partnership with FireSmart™ Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), we are offering 10 grants of up to $20,000 each to help communities across Canada reduce their risk of loss from wildfire through prevention activities.

Submit your grant application before December 9, 2025 at 11 p.m. PT for consideration. We will announce grant recipients and award funding in March 2026.

Apply now for Wawanesa's Community Wildfire Prevention Grant to help reduce impacts from wildfire and strengthen prevention efforts in your community. Find out more about project eligibility and criteria.

2024/25 Community Wildfire Prevention Grants recipients

Steps to apply

Letter of Support

Complete a signed letter as proof of endorsement from your local fire department or other authorizing organization.

Letter of Support template

Budget Template

Review the funding requirements and complete the Budget Template to help prepare for the budget questions in the application.

Budget template

Application form

Once your documents are prepared, use the link below to fill out the application form and submit your grant funding request.

Apply now

Project eligibility and criteria

What activities can the grant be used for?

The grant funding is intended to help build a culture of wildfire prevention within your community by supporting wildfire risk reduction education and prevention activities. The activities you propose in your project should be aimed at mitigating or preventing damages to your community caused by wildfires.

Prevention

Reducing likelihood of wildfire,
ex. changing behaviours

Mitigation

Reducing impacts of wildfires,
ex. fuel reduction

Wildfire response or suppression equipment and prescribed burn activities are not eligible for funding through this program.

A detailed breakdown of eligible and ineligible expenses can be found in the downloadable “Budget Template”.

Your project will need to align to one of FireSmart Canada’s seven disciplines to help neighbourhoods address the impacts of wildfire.

Funding cannot be applied to normal operations of an organization or be in conflict with other partner provided funding programs such those operated by FireSmart^TM Canada or the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR).

Applicants should demonstrate a clear need for funding.

Who can apply?

Any of the following applicants may apply:

Fire Departments
Municipalities
Indigenous Communities
Home/Neighborhood associations
Non-Profit/Charitable Organizations
Citizen Groups/Volunteer Community Groups

Applications from disproportionately affected communities may be prioritized.

Who is not eligible?

A previous Wawanesa Community Wildfire Grant recipient community
A privately held for-profit company or corporation
Individual land/property owners requesting a grant specifically for single dwelling or residential property prevention projects

FAQ

How long does it take to complete an application?

Before completing the application, please ensure you have a well thought out project, including the associated budget, that demonstrates a clear positive impact on your community to reduce the risks of loss from wildfires. You must also attach a signed letter of endorsement from your local fire department or other authorizing organization and a completed Budget Template for your application to be considered complete.

The application should take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete.

Can I start my application form and save it or edit my application at a later date prior to submitting?

No. Once you begin the application form, please be prepared to submit it in its entirety.

What does a strong application include?

Wildfire Risk and Community Need
- Evidence of wildfire risk (fire history, fuel loads, etc.)
- Demonstrated need for funding, including vulnerable populations and geographic location
Community Engagement and Education
- Educational materials, events, or campaigns to raise awareness
- Inclusive outreach plans
Risk Reduction
- Activities that reduce wildfire risk at the individual or community level
Community Support and Capacity
- Community support and commitment to the proposed project
- Demonstrated ability to carry out the proposed project
Creative and Collaborative Approaches
- Unique approaches to community engagement, education, or action
- Partnerships that enhance impact and leverage local strengths
Budget and Financial Planning
- Clear, detailed budget
- Demonstration of cost-effectiveness and responsible use of funds

What must be included with my application?

Applications are considered complete when they include the following:

Letter of Support from your local fire department representative and/or fire chief, or other authorizing organization
Completed Budget Template
Completed application form

Is a letter from my local fire department required?

Yes, this is required as part of the application process. We have provided a template to make this easier for you. This step is required as it helps validate that the project you’ve proposed is in line with your fire department’s or other authorizing organization community prevention plans and will not directly conflict with any current initiatives in your community.

When are applications due?

The application period is open now. Submit your application until 11pm PT on December 9th, 2025.

How will the grants be selected?

Application submissions will be evaluated by a committee of select Wawanesa employees and wildfire prevention subject matter experts from FireSmart™ Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR).

When can project work begin?

Project activities must begin in 2026 but not prior to March 1st 2026. Work on the project cannot extend beyond a 12 month period. Projects extending beyond 12 months in duration will not be considered.

Where can projects take place?

Projects submitted for grant funding must take place within Canada.

When will the applicants selected for grant awards be announced?

Applicants selected to receive a grant will be contacted in March 2026.

How much grant money can I apply for?

Applicants can apply for up to $20,000 per project.

How many grants will be awarded?

Ten grant projects up to $20,000 each for a total of up to $200,000 in grant funding will be awarded.

What if I still have questions about my application or the application process?

Please contact communityimpact@wawanesa.com with any outstanding questions.

Firesmart, Intelli-feu and other associated Marks are trademarks of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Application submissions will be evaluated by a committee of select Wawanesa employees and a committee of wildfire prevention and mitigation subject matter experts from FireSmart™ Canada and ICLR. This Community Wildfire Prevention Grant program is subject to the Wildfire Prevention Grant program Terms & Conditions. By applying for a grant, all applicants are aware of and accept all of the Community Wildfire Prevention Grant program Terms & Conditions.