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: November 2, 2026

General
Application Questions

Q. 2026-2027 Grant Cycle. What’s different about this year’s grant program?

A. This year, applications will go through a competitive review process with more funding going to those organizations having the biggest impact in their communities.
Applications will first be screened to confirm completion of all required materials. Incomplete applications will be set aside until they meet the requirements. Applications will then be evaluated through a weighted, point-based system using established criteria.

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):

Under 20 cords: Not eligible
20–49 cords: Up to $10,000
50–99 cords: Up to $15,000
100–149 cords: Up to $20,000
150-199 cords: Up to $25,000
200-249 cords: Up to $30,000
250-299 cords: Up to $35,000
300+ cords: Up to $50,000

Q. Supplies & Equipment Eligible. What kinds of items can be included in our budget?

A. Examples of eligible expenses include:

Log length wood from federally managed land
Firewood processing equipment (i.e. chainsaws, log splitters, conveyers, firewood processors)
Rental or lease costs for equipment
Trailers under $10,000
Smaller equipment (i.e. wheelbarrows, peaveys, hooks, fire extinguishers)
Personal protective equipment (i.e. chaps, work boots, helmets, gloves, logger first aid kits)
Safety training (ex. chainsaw certification)
Moisture meters
Labor (up to 10%)
Liability insurance for firewood bank (up to $1,000)
Warranty/insurance for equipment
Drying sheds: Storage/shipping containers, totes or supplies for temporary wood shed building
Fencing/security cameras
Contracted hauling costs
Fuel (up to 10%, ex. Mileage reimbursements, gas cards, gasoline)
Repairs and maintenance of firewood bank equipment (up to 10%)

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) take a photo of equipment for inventory purposes (until equipment depreciates to below $10,000), 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.

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 2026-2027 grant cycle as long as past grant reports were completed. Past grantees who were late but were in communication with us and had requested more time will not be waitlisted; those who didn’t communicate with us and were more than 30 days late on reports will be waitlisted.
You can reach out to Pam Porter (pam@forgreenheat.org) to confirm submissions.

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 or firewood distribution programs. These are community-led efforts that process and deliver firewood to help households struggling to heat their homes. See more here. Many different types of organizations can apply including: Tribes, non-profits, 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) and a bank account. Businesses can only apply if they have created a separate non-profit to run the firewood bank. Specifically they must: (1.) apply in the name of the firewood bank; (2.) the firewood bank must be a state or federally recognized nonprofit; and (3.) the firewood bank must have a separate UEI and bank account.

Q. Timeline for Review of Application. How quickly can we receive funds after submitting an application?

A. We hope to process applications and get funding out within 4-6 weeks. But, this year’s application process will be a bit slower because we must send our decisions to USFS for permission to issue the subaward.

Q. Collaboration Through Hubs. Some states have built capacity through a hub and spoke system. With the hub sourcing and processing wood and distributing it to spokes. Can one firewood bank serve as a hub for collecting wood from federal lands, and will the spokes (those firewood banks receiving wood from that hub) be eligible for their own grants?

A. Yes and yes. To meet the 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...

Currently source, or have a documented plan to source, some or all firewood from federally managed lands, if feasible
Utilize a liability waiver
Have a bank account, or have a local fiscal sponsor, and unique entity identifier (UEI)
Complete financial reporting (interim and final reports submitted online)
Have a safety plan with named safety coordinator, require all workers to use appropriate PPE and post a Firewood Bank Emergency Information Sheet
Use a moisture meter to test wood and do your utmost to deliver seasoned wood (under 20% moisture content).

Q. Application Deadline. Is there a deadline to apply for this grant?

A. The application will close at 4 PM (ET) on December 15th or until funds are exhausted. If funding remains available after the initial review process of all submitted applications, a second application cycle may be opened.

Q. Saving Application. Can I save my application and return to it later?

A. Yes, you can save progress on your application. Scroll down to the bottom of the application and click “Save & Resume Later.” You will see this window appear:

You may email this link to yourself or others or copy it and save it somewhere else.

Q. Current Federal Wood. If our firewood bank currently has federally sourced wood on the lot, does this satisfy the federal sourcing requirement?

A. Yes, having federally sourced wood already on your wood lot satisfies the federal wood sourcing requirement.

Q. Minimum Federal Cords. Is there a minimum percentage or number of cords that need to be sourced from federal lands?

A. No, our policy is that some or all of the wood must be sourced from federal lands unless it is not feasible.

Q. Tribal Trust Lands. Does sourcing wood from tribal trust lands satisfy the federal wood sourcing requirement?

A. Yes, tribal trust lands are considered federal lands for the purposes of this grant. However, sourcing generally from tribal lands that are not trust lands does not necessarily satisfy the federal wood sourcing requirement.

Q. Traditional Use of Wood. If our firewood bank distributes wood for both heating and ceremonial use purposes, are we still eligible to apply for a grant?

A. Yes, a firewood bank that distributes wood for both heating and ceremonial use purposes is eligible to apply for funds.

Financial Questions

Q. Grant Budget. How do I prepare a grant budget?

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. When your budget is complete, save the file and upload the budget with your application. Examples of eligible items are located in the application and on the Apply page.

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, have an active UEI, 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 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, trucks, and skid steers (these must be under a total of $10,000, no cost sharing allowed).

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.

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% (de minimis) or at the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

Q. Unspent Funds. What happens if we cannot spend all of our grant funds before the Final Report date?

A. Grantees must contact their Grant Manager (pam@forgreenheat.org) if funds are unspent and submit a modified budget to ensure all funds are spent by the Final Report date. If the firewood bank cannot spend funds down, and does not go through a modified budget process, funds must be returned to AGH.

Q. Fire Prevention Supplies. Can I include fire prevention supplies for recipients (like smoke/CO detectors or chimney sweep kits) in the budget?

A. Yes, you may include fire prevention supplies for recipients if the line items are under $500.

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 educational materials that banks can use and 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.

General Firewood Bank Questions

Q. Discovering Existing Firewood Banks. Is there a way to discover what firewood banks already exist?

A. Yes, you can view a map of current known firewood banks on our Resources page.