In September, Hannah went to the Pine Ridge Reservation to meet two non-profit groups that are making sure everyone has the firewood fuel they need to get through the winter. Read more about it here!

We invite banks and community leaders to join our small team in developing an air quality study that links data to wood stove cleanings, replacements, and heat pump discounts in your community! As a part of the Firewood Community Safety Initiative, this program will reduce harmful indoor air pollution.

This group will decide how to fund and roll-out indoor air monitors in high wood-burning communities. Participants will be modestly compensated and community participation will be incentivized. Please contact Hannah for more information or complete this form.

This Monday, October 14th, was Indigenous Peoples' Day. Some of the largest and oldest firewood banks, or firewood distribution programs, are tribal-serving and tribal-led. Any work in the firewood bank field is incomplete without this acknowledgment.

It is likely that the number of existing tribal-serving firewood distribution programs is remarkably higher than we previously thought. Every week, AGH gets firewood bank applications in from around the country from tribal-serving firewood programs that we previously did not know about.

Firewood, in both its collection and use, is deeply connected to the land. One of our favorite tools is the Native Land Digital Map. The creators of this interactive map describe it as "...a living document, informed by the contributions of Indigenous communities, Indigenous knowledge holders and their stories." To use this as an educational tool, Native Land Digital also has a Teacher's Guide.

Firewood Bank Grant Information

2024-2025 "Start-up," "New Applicant," and "Renewal" Grants

Funding is still available!

AGH currently has 64 applications in from firewood banks with $176,209 out of $825,000 grant funds remaining.

We are currently expediting multiple grants from the Asheville, NC area.

See below for more info.

Tomorrow, October 17th from 1-2:30 PM (ET), join AGH and a panel of experts that will discuss the issues they commonly see with self-installed wood stoves and the importance of getting professional help to ensure safety. Register here.  

Tips for a Long-Lasting Burn

"Do you see smoke coming out of your chimney? This is wasted wood heat. Get tips from a certified chimney sweep on how to achieve a long-lasting, efficient fire in your wood stove. "

We constantly keep our eye out for other grants that might benefit firewood banks beyond the Firewood Bank Assistance Program.

EJ Thriving Communities Grantmakers Subgrants

Subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations representing disadvantaged communities, like firewood banks are eligible for this grant. AGH is applying for one that firewood banks can join, or you can apply for your own. (We are glad to help and advise.) There will be a limited number of $75,000 non-competitive fixed-amount subawards for severely capacity-constrained CBOs to access.

Firewood banks can be great applicants for these funds because many firewood programs are, or could be, addressing energy poverty, air quality & asthma, cleanup projects, disaster resiliency, environmental job training, and environmental justice training for youth.

The Don't Move Firewood campaign by The Nature Conservancy is celebrating National Firewood Month with resources on why it's important to burn local wood to slow the spread of pests.

Last week was also "Fire Prevention Week." The theme this year was "Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!" AGH is supplying free smoke alarms to firewood banks. Let us know if you are interested.

Weatherization is essential to keeping your home warmer and decreasing the amount of wood you have to use to maintain that warmth. Many lower income homes qualify for free weatherization services, but it could take several weeks to go through the process. Efficiency Vermont discusses some do-it-yourself weatherization tips that can help in the mean time.