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Apply for Firewood Bank Funding

Applications are now closed for the 2024-2025 grant cycle. 

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.

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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

The 2024-2025 grant cycle is now closed.

 

We gave away $875,000 to firewood distribution programs between May 2024 and December 2024! Please visit our Grantee page to read about the programs that were funded. 

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The next grant cycle will most likely open in the Spring of 2025. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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Eligible Expenses

Almost any items needed to run your firewood bank is an eligible expense except for food & drink, entertainment, lobbying, and items over $10,000.

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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.

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