AIMing for better wildfire outcomes before, during, and after a fire.
Grant Overview
Coalitions and Collaboratives Inc. (COCO), a Colorado-based nonprofit, started the Action, Implementation and Mitigation (AIM) Program to accelerate fire adaptation concepts and reduce the risk from wildfire across the U.S. by increasing capacity and on-the-ground work. Since inception in 2018, we have supported over 90 organizations. COCO hopes to increase community resilience, restore fire-adapted ecosystems and create safer conditions for residents and firefighters. This funding opportunity is open to organizations working to advance wildfire risk reduction.
The AIM grant is available for a wide variety of capacity-building activities, including personnel, planning efforts, and wildfire risk reduction work on non-federal lands.
COCO funds organizations across the country with a focus on programs and projects that increase communities’ ability to overcome barriers to successful community wildfire mitigation, multiply the efforts, achieve quantifiable outcomes, support equitable and inclusive community wildfire mitigation programs across the fence, and support place-based solutions.
The AIM grant is available for a wide variety of capacity-building activities, including personnel, planning efforts, and wildfire risk reduction work on non-federal lands.
COCO funds organizations across the country with a focus on programs and projects that increase communities’ ability to overcome barriers to successful community wildfire mitigation, multiply the efforts, achieve quantifiable outcomes, support equitable and inclusive community wildfire mitigation programs across the fence, and support place-based solutions.
COCO will be looking to fund a variety of different types of projects across the country. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposal fits into the larger community wildfire strategy, including coordination with federal partners on nearby public lands. Applicants must contribute a 100% match (cash or in-kind match is eligible). Award funding may range from $10,000 – $75,000. Grants are contracted for a period of one year.
Scroll down to see eligibility requirements.
Who Is Eligible?
The organization must have a nonprofit (501c3) status or have a nonprofit or local government fiscal sponsor that may include:
- Conservation District
- Regional and local collaborative efforts
- Fire Safe Councils and/or Wildfire Councils
- Non-profit groups that promote hazardous forest fuel reduction treatment projects in partnership with local, state or private entities
- Fire departments
- Tribal authorities
- City or county government
Organizations must provide supplemental information indicating eligibility to receive federal funding. On April 4, 2022, the unique entity identifier used across the federal government changed from the DUNS Number to the Unique Entity ID (generated by SAM.gov). Organizations must have a UEID Number that can be provided at the time of Final Application, and must be listed as Active in SAM.gov, be in compliance with all state and federal regulations, have no existing exclusions and be in good standing.
Additional eligibility qualifications:
- Communities at high risk of wildfire in proximity to public lands
- Organizations or community groups currently conducting or planning pre-fire mitigation activities aimed at protecting their communities, watersheds, and ecosystems
- Groups seeking funding and/or mentorship to increase local capacity and conduct pre-fire mitigation/risk reduction activities
- Organizations willing to collaboratively work with COCO staff to develop their mitigation projects and proposal for funding
- Organizations willing to share their lessons, challenges, and successes with national, state, and/or local Fire Adapted Communities Networks
- Organizations that can provide match in the form of cash or in-kind services (including volunteer hours)
- Organizations must comply with all grant reporting requirements and meet project completion milestones and deadlines
Homeowner and Property Owner Associations (HOA/POA), Metro Districts, and other similar homeowner groups are not eligible to apply.
If you are a previously funded AIM grantee, please click HERE to view funding eligibility.
How to Apply
THE SPRING 2024 REQUEST FOR CONCEPT PAPERS (RFC) IS NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD. RFCs are due no later than February 23, 2024.
Please be sure to read the instructions provided before reaching out to the AIM team with questions. After reviewing all RFC materials, you may bring any additional questions or concerns to the AIM team for the informational webinar taking place on February 2, 2024.
The Spring 2024 AIM Grant Informational, Question, and Answer Webinar will take place Friday, February 2, 2024, 1:00-2:30 PM MT REGISTER HERE.
To be notified of all upcoming funding opportunities, as well as stay up-to-date on other COCO programs, please subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
Please see more information or examples of strategic value to aid in the completion of your application:
AIM Budget and Match Examples
Examples of Strategic Value
AIM Grant FAQs
Previous Webinar Q&A
Funding Application Timeline
Request for Concept Papers (RFC) | Friday, January 26, 2024 |
| Informational, Question & Answer Webinar | Friday, February 2, 2024 |
| Last day to submit Concept Paper | Friday, February 23, 2024, 5:00 PM MT |
| Select and non-select notifications to the final application | By mid-March 2024 |
The AIM Program is co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
