Grant Details

Eligibility Details

Eligible applicants include single fire departments serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less.

Area fire departments (fire districts, townships, etc.) may serve an aggregate population of greater than 10,000 as long as the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less.

A single county or town with a population over 10,000 which is served by two or more fire districts operating entirely within the bounds of the county or town may qualify as long as the service area of a given fire department includes a rural area or a rural community or the population of the fire department's jurisdiction is 10,000 or less.

A single community with a population greater than 10,000 and having a single fire department with one or more fire stations may qualify. The fire department must have a service area that includes a rural area or community that does not exceed a population of 10,000. Similarly, a single community with a population greater than 10,000 that also provides fire protection by contract to an adjoining rural community of 10,000 or less in population may also be eligible provided the VFA funding is used entirely to support the rural community.

Deadline Details

Applications are anticipated to open in August 2023. A similar deadline is anticipated annually. 

Award Details

The total amount of funding available is $188,000. Individual award amounts range from $5,000 to $10,000. Cost sharing/matching of 50% of the total project cost is required.