Virginia Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grants

Virginia Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grants is sponsored by Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF). The Virginia Department of Forestry offers partial reimbursements to fire departments for vehicles, equipment, and water supply in rural areas.

Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program | Virginia Department of Forestry Daily Wildfire Summation Report Non-Fire Emergency Response Take Action to Be Firewise Financial Assistance Programs Firewise Virginia Community Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program How You Can Prevent Wildfires Prescribed Burn Manager Certification Prescribed Burn Manager Tools Firefighter Qualifications Virginia Interagency Coordination Center Fire Department Resources Federal Firefighter Property Program Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program Message from the State Forester Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals New Kent Conference Center Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program DOF provides assistance through the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant program.

The program provides a 50% cost reimbursement for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, and equipment for rural volunteer fire departments. As a key cooperator in the suppression of nearly every Virginia wildfire, this program allows the agency to provide critically-needed federal funding to directly support fire departments in the Commonwealth. These grants are “50-50” matched grants.

This means that grant approvals provide a 50% match of the actual amount expended for the items approved, up to the total approval amount of the grant. For example, to apply for a $1500 grant under the VFA program, the volunteer fire department must be prepared to spend $3000 to receive a reimbursement of $1500 following grant approval. Receipts marked “PAID” will be required prior to any reimbursement of the approved amount.

Note that Virginia Department of Forestry is not allowed to provide full or partial grant funding for any one piece of equipment over $5,000 in cost. Application period closed. Applications are accepted via the System Access Portal for Forestry Grants .

System Access Portal for Forestry Grants (Applicants must have their unique UEI number before beginning this process. Ensure the UEI number is updated and viewable by public domain) View the user guides provided in the Resource Library below for help with registering for an account and submitting an application.

Image Title ID Description Date Content Type View hf:tax:document-category hf:tax:Media Virginia Department of Forestry Grants – Frequently Asked Questions Document answers common questions about forestry grants, including application requirements, qualifying expenses, and reimbursements.

03/24/2026 Document View finance financial-assistance-urban-community-forestry financial-assistance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response urban-and-community-forestry fire-and-emergency-response document Forestry Grant Program -Time and Activity Log for Staff and Volunteers 3. 26 Form to log time and activities for staff and volunteers working on forestry grant projects.

02/09/2026 Form View finance financial-assistance-urban-community-forestry financial-assistance urban-and-community-forestry form System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Requesting an Agreement Modification System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with requesting an agreement modification.

10/21/2024 User Guide View finance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-urban-community-forestry financial-assistance fire-and-emergency-response forest-management urban-and-community-forestry user-guide System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Agreement Signing System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants.

This guide assists with agreement signing.

10/21/2024 User Guide View finance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-urban-community-forestry financial-assistance fire-and-emergency-response forest-management urban-and-community-forestry user-guide System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Registration User Guide System Access Portal User Guide for registering to use the grants system.

07/27/2023 User Guide View financial-assistance-urban-community-forestry financial-assistance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response urban-and-community-forestry finance fire-and-emergency-response user-guide System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Filing a Claim System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with filing a claim.

05/04/2023 User Guide View finance financial-assistance user-guide System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants.

02/21/2023 User Guide View financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response fire-and-emergency-response user-guide A variety of financial assistance programs exist through DOF and partner agencies for wildfire preparation and suppression, as well as forest management activities. Explore All Financial Assistance Programs For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form .

Message from the State Forester Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals New Kent Conference Center