Springfield, Illinois – Volunteer fire departments across Illinois can now apply for state-administered grants to help purchase equipment and fund training, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
IDNR announced that applications are open for the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant program and will be accepted through February 16, 2026. The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and administered in Illinois by IDNR.
The VFA program provides matching grants that reimburse up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with a maximum reimbursement of $10,000 per grant. Fire departments and fire training academies must cover project costs upfront before receiving reimbursement.
According to IDNR, the grants are intended to strengthen firefighting capabilities, particularly in rural and volunteer departments, by supporting the purchase of new equipment and training opportunities. Items funded through previous grants include radios, fire hoses, self-contained breathing apparatus, turnout gear, wildland firefighting protective equipment, hand tools, chainsaws, backpack blowers, and the modification of federal excess vehicles and equipment.
In 2025, the program awarded $322,893 to support 48 fire department and training projects across Illinois.
Additional details about eligibility requirements, allowable expenses, and application procedures are available through the IDNR grants website and the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance.
The funding opportunity comes as IDNR marks its 100th year of conservation and public service in Illinois. Established in 1925, the department now manages roughly 400 sites statewide and oversees a wide range of programs, including natural resource management, conservation law enforcement, and grant administration.
The grant program may be especially relevant for volunteer firefighters and rural communities seeking to upgrade equipment ahead of future fire seasons.
