Apply for Firewood Bank Funding

Applications for start-up, new, and renewal grants are now live!

Notice: Beginning October 1, 2024, firewood banks will be able to budget for items costing up to $10,000 (previous cap was $5,000).

Application
Overview

We have made our application as streamlined and easy to fill out as possible.
However there are a few requirements, so please carefully review the
guidelines and read the application instructions before you start. All firewood banks must have: a bank account, (or fiscal sponsor) a unique entity identifier (UEI), a safety plan (including enough PPE for all volunteers and/or workers), a moisture meter and a plan to track moisture in wood, and photos of your firewood bank and/or wood yard. If your wood bank does not already have any of these, please see the application requirements section for information on how to get them.

For-profit firewood businesses are welcome to apply IF they a.) have a firewood bank account separate from their business; b.) donate logs or firewood for heating homes of low to moderate income people; c.) have a demonstrated partnership with a tribe or community organization (civic, faith-based, service group etc.) and engaged volunteers who help process, stack and/or distribute wood.

Application
Forms & Eligibility

This year (FY 2025), there will be three categories of eligibility (New, Start-ups, and Renewals). New firewood banks (existing firewood banks that have not received funding previously) and Start-up firewood banks (individuals or organizations launching new firewood banks in 2024-2025) may apply for funding beginning May 1st, 2024. Renewal firewood banks (firewood banks that have received funding previously) may apply beginning September 1st, 2024.

New Applicant Grant Form. Existing firewood banks that have not received funding previously through the AGH Firewood Bank Assistance Program

up to $15,000 on a sliding scale

Start-up Grant Form. These grants are aimed at individuals or organizations that are launching new firewood banks in 2024-2025 and plan to deliver 5 cords of wood or more are eligible for grants up to $10,000. Documentation needed for the Start-up Grant application includes such things as:

If you are a established non-profit, church, town or tribe, you just need a bank account and a UEI
If you are applying as an individual, company, tree service, or firewood business we do require you to have a partnership agreement with an established non-profit, church, town, or tribal administration
A mission statement that explains your motivation to start a firewood bank, how it expands on the heating needs in your community, and your ability to start a firewood bank
A safety plan that can ensure the safety of your volunteers/workers

Renewal Grant Form. Renewal grants up to $10,000 are available for firewood banks that previously received AGH funding if they fall within the following categories:

★ Large Firewood Banks (100+ cords): up to $10,000

Your firewood bank was funded in FY1 or FY2 (between January 2023 and May 2023 or September 2023 and March 2024) AND distributes 100+ cords.

★ Small/Medium Firewood Banks (15-99 cords): $2,500 to $7,500

Your firewood bank was funded in FY1 (between January 2023 and May 2023) AND distributes between 15-99 cords.

50-99 cords: up to $7,500
49-25 cords: up to $5,000
15-24 cords: up to $2,500

If you have any questions about whether or not you are eligible to apply for a Renewal Grant, please email Darian Dyer at darian@forgreenheat.org.

Application
Requirements

A. Guidelines for Firewood Banks Receiving Funding

Accepting funding for your firewood bank involves having a liability waiver and making some safety and operational commitments that your bank may not already have in place. An important document to review is our guidelines: click here for a list of the things we need firewood banks to agree to, in order to receive funding.

B. Bank Account

In order to receive federal funds to support your firewood bank, a bank account is required to be set up in the name of the organization or a fiscal sponsor. Requirements may vary by state for opening a bank account for an unincorporated organization, but some instructions can be found here for Bank of America and here for Wells Fargo. Note that monthly banking fees may be waived by meeting a minimum balance or spending a certain amount periodically, though it depends on the bank.

If your bank requires an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to set up a bank account, you can easily apply for one from the IRS in minutes. Instructions can be found here. Note that the online portal is only open from 7am – 10pm Monday to Friday, Eastern Standard Time.

C. Unique Entity Identifier

All businesses or organizations awarded federal grants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This is a 12-character, alphanumeric value assigned by the federal government that identifies your organization’s name and address. This identifier is free to get and can be received after making an account on sam.gov and following the steps to receive your UEI. Beware of third parties that require payment for creating a UEI. While their service might be successful, it is not necessary. You’ll have the option of registering your entity or getting a unique entity ID.

Select “Get Unique Entity ID” to receive a UEI. For more information see this Quick Start Guide for getting a UEI. A list of valid documents can be found here. The following video from the General Services Administration has more information and explains in detail how to obtain a UEI.

Eligible Expenses

Almost any items needed to run your firewood bank is an eligible expense except for food & drink, entertainment, lobbying, and items over $5,000 (beginning Oct. 1, 2024, items costing up to $10,000 can be budgeted).

Eligible expenses include chain saws (electric or gas), splitters, tarps, moisture meters, conveyor belts, trailers, wheelbarrows, safety equipment, first aid kits, equipment repair, building materials for firewood sheds or tool sheds, educational materials/activities, sales tax, signage, travel, gas money, and miscellaneous supplies like small tools that cost less than $20. Firewood banks are invited to add other additional items not listed here that they use or think may be helpful. Click here for a downloadable sample budget.