Questions & Answers
These questions and answers will be periodically updated, as we get more questions that we
may not have anticipated. We want all questions and answers to be available to everyone.
Please read through all the questions and answers before submitting your grant application or
contacting us with a question. Thank you! Last update: September 16, 2025
General
Application Questions
Q: 2025-2026 Grant Cycle. What’s different about this year’s grant program?
A. Firewood banks must currently source, or have a plan to source, some or all firewood from federally managed lands. It is also acceptable if a firewood bank has logs on site that were previously sourced from federally managed lands.
Q: Grant Amounts. What size grants are available this year?
A. The level of funding is scaled based on the number of cords processed (both federal and non-federal):
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15-24 Cords: up to $15,000
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25-49 Cords: up to $25,000
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50-99 Cords: up to $35,000
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100+ Cords: up to $50,000
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Q: New Equipment Requirements ($10,000 & up): For FY 2026, what are the new requirements for equipment purchased with federal grant funds?
A. Renting mobile equipment (equipment with wheels) under $10,000 is allowed. For equipment purchases over $10,000, additional property record keeping is required. This includes: (1) complete an equipment records sheet with information that includes: description of equipment, date purchased, cost, location and condition of equipment and other information, (2) have a control system in place to prevent property loss, damage, or theft, and ensure adequate equipment maintenance procedures, (3) file a Uniform Commercial Code (Form UCC 1) with your Secretary of State's office to record that the Federal Government retains an interest in the equipment until the equipment is depreciated below $10,000 (Note: state/local governments, tribes, or institutions of higher education are not required to file a UCC), (4) file inventory of the equipment at least every two years (until equipment depreciates to below $10,000) by sending a photograph, and (5) guarantee that the firewood bank will only use the equipment for processing and distributing firewood and not use the equipment to provide services for a fee that is less than what a private company would charge for similar services.
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Q. Previously Funded. If our firewood bank got funding from a previous grant year, will we be eligible this year?
A. Yes. All grantees that previously received funding from the Firewood Bank Assistance Program will be able to apply for the 2025-2026 grant cycle as long as past grant reports were completed.
Q. Start-up Eligibility. If this will be the first year we’ll distribute firewood, can we still apply for funding?
A. While a start-up operation could technically be eligible, AGH will require a serious and concrete show of organization and preparedness (including a letter of support from community partners and a plan for how wood will be sourced from federally managed land). Start up applications will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Q. Organization Eligibility. What kinds of groups or organizations are eligible to receive funding?
A. Grants are available for firewood banks. Firewood banks, or firewood distribution programs, are community-led projects that help households struggling to afford heating by supplying them with firewood for free. See more here. Many different types of organizations can apply including: Tribes, non-profits (501(c)(3) or not), volunteer groups/clubs, faith-based or mutual aid organizations, and state or local governments. All organizations receiving federal funding must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) with an active registration. Businesses can only apply if: (1.) they are leading a community firewood bank project and have (2.) a separate UEI and checking account in the name of the firewood bank (or have a separate fiscal sponsor).
Q. Timeline for Review of Application. How quickly can we receive funds after submitting an application?
A. Within one month of submitting your application, you can expect to learn if your grant was approved or not. Funds will be wired within 3 days of receiving a signed contract. Typically , funds land in your bank account 2-3 business days after the wire is sent.
Q. Application Review Process. What does the process look like after I submit an application?
A. Step 1: Initial Review. Within 10 days of submitting your application, our Grant Manager will contact you to schedule an initial review and to answer any questions you may have. Step 2: Final Review. After this initial review and after we have received all of the required application materials, your application will be sent to the AGH President for final review. Step 3: Reporting Meeting. If approved, the Grant Manager and Deputy Director will schedule a Zoom meeting with you to walk through the required financial reporting and answer any final questions. Step 4: Contract Signed. A contract will be sent out via DocuSign for you to sign electronically after this meeting. Step 5: Grant Funds Wired. Once both AGH and the applicant have signed the contract, funds will be wired.
Q. Collaboration Through Hubs. Can one firewood bank serve as a hub for collecting wood from federal lands, and will those firewood banks receiving wood from that hub be eligible for their own grant?
A. Yes and yes. To meet this year’s requirement of obtaining wood from federal land, some states (or regions) may want to set up a "hub and spoke" system of firewood processing. One firewood bank could act as a hub for the state (or region) distributing wood harvested or obtained from federal lands. Other firewood banks could receive wood from the hub (“spoke”). The larger equipment levels (up to $50,000) could assist this effort. Both hubs and spokes would both be able to receive grants for their activities. Email Pam Porter for more information, pam@forgreenheat.org.
As an example: A hub firewood bank could receive a grant to coordinate the cutting, hauling, processing and/or bulk delivery of wood from federal lands. Firewood banks that receive wood from the hub (spokes) are eligible to apply for their own grants, including hauling costs from the hub to their firewood bank.
Q. Requirements. What specific requirements must grantees agree to?
A. Grantees must..
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Have a plan for sourcing some wood from federally managed land,
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Utilize a liability waiver,
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Have a bank account, or have a local fiscal sponsor, and unique entity identifier (UEI) with an active registration to receive funding,
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Complete financial reporting (interim and final reports submitted online),
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Have a safety plan with named safety coordinator, require all workers to use appropriate PPE and post a Firewood Bank Emergency Information Sheet, and
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Use moisture meter to test wood and do your utmost to deliver seasoned wood (under 20% moisture content).
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Q. Application Deadline. Is there a deadline to apply for this grant?
A. No, there is no fixed deadline. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and completed applications will be funded in the order received until all available funds have been awarded.
Financial Questions
Q. Grant Budget. How do I prepare a grant budget? What items are eligible to receive funding?
A. Please download the budget template found in the application in Section 8. Use this template to prepare your budget. You must include a link or a quote for each line item in the budget over $500. When your budget is complete, save the file and upload the budget with your application.
Q. Matching Funds. Does this grant require matching funds?
A. No, we do not require a firewood bank to match funds.
Q. Equipment Cap. How much can I spend on a single piece of equipment?
A. You can spend all the money on one piece of equipment, if you choose.
Q. Fiscal Sponsor. Can we use the bank account of another local group in our town?
A. Yes, a local non-profit can be your fiscal sponsor. A fiscal sponsor must agree to sign the grant contract, manage grant funds, and be responsible for reporting.
Q. Already Processed Firewood. Can we use funds to pay for commercial deliveries of already processed firewood? Or, can we just give vouchers to families that they can use to buy wood?
A. No, these funds are primarily for firewood banks obtaining log length wood from federally managed land and purchasing or renting large processing equipment to prepare those logs for distribution in their communities.
Q. Cost Sharing. Can the firewood bank use its own funds or funds from other sources (e.g. state funding, foundation, private donors, etc.) to combine with the Firewood Bank Assistance Program grant to purchase a piece of equipment?
A. Yes, cost sharing for a piece of equipment is generally allowed. If the total of the piece of equipment is over $10,000, firewood banks are required to follow additional reporting requirements. The exception to the cost sharing rule is trailers (trailers must be under a total of $10,000, no cost sharing allowed).
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Q. Reimbursements. Can a grantee be reimbursed for supplies or equipment purchased?
A. Yes, but only for purchases that take place after the execution date of the grant contract.
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Q. Indirect Costs. Can a grantee include indirect costs in their grant budget?
A. Yes, indirect costs are an eligible line item and are capped at 15%.
Seasoning Wood
Q. Seasoning of Distributed Wood. If our firewood is above 20% moisture content, can we distribute it?
A. Firewood should be properly seasoned before burned for fuel. Partially seasoned wood can be distributed during summer months so that it continues to dry at peoples’ homes. Typically, seasoning takes 6 months to 2 years, depending on the species of wood and where the firewood bank is located. Banks should encourage homes to keep wood under cover, and distribute designs for low-cost wood sheds. Firewood banks should also educate firewood recipients about the importance of seasoned wood and best burning practices. AGH has materials banks can distribute.
Safety
Q. Age of Volunteers. We sometimes have volunteers under the age of 18 volunteering at our firewood bank. Is this okay?
A. Firewood banks can not allow volunteers or staff under eighteen (18) years of age to use dangerous wood processing tools and equipment, such as chainsaws and log splitters. But, there are plenty of other jobs younger people can do at the firewood bank!
Q. Liability Waivers. Do all volunteers and paid staff have to sign a liability waiver?
A. Yes. Firewood banks must have their volunteers and/or workers sign a liability waiver. Liability waivers serve multiple purposes: they protect the firewood bank in case of a bad accident, and they also help shield the Alliance for Green Heat for providing funding to the bank. But most of all, liability waivers can be an important part of educating staff and volunteers about the dangers of cutting and splitting wood, and they help the firewood bank set policies that keep everyone safe. Click here for a sample liability waiver.