The CSAC Grants Initiative (CGI) is a strategic partnership between the CSAC Foundation and The Ferguson Group (TFG) that helps counties identify, pursue, and secure competitive federal and state grant funding. Through strategic funding plans, tailored consulting, and hands-on grant support, CGI empowers counties to move from idea to impact with confidence and measurable results.
The Initiative continues to demonstrate how early alignment and proactive preparation translate into meaningful outcomes for communities across California. Two recent grant awards highlight the power of this approach.
In Imperial County, proactive planning turned into a significant win for firefighter safety and communications. The Imperial County Fire Department secured $441,151.25 through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to install one source-capture diesel exhaust system in several fire stations and to procure thirty-one portable P-25 radios with essential accessories. CGI led the grant application process, advancing projects identified in the Department’s Strategic Funding Plan – a hallmark of CGI’s proactive model: align early, scope smartly, and submit a compelling case.
Similarly, in Inyo County, the first year of participation in CGI yielded a major success in wildfire mitigation. Working closely with County staff, CGI identified grant programs, strengthened prior applications, and prepared the County to act quickly when the USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant opened. The result: a $4.6 million award to reduce wildfire risk across Mono and Inyo Counties. The project will remove over 9,000 tons of hazardous fuels, complete more than 1,000 home ignition zone assessments, and host community workshops for over 1,000 residents, helping to make these rural communities safer and more resilient.
Together, these recent CGI grant wins illustrate how the CSAC Grants Initiative’s strategic funding partnership model turns planning into action and delivers measurable results for California’s counties.
To learn more about the CSAC Grants Initiative or explore how your county can participate, contact Veronica Smith, Programs and Grants Director, CSAC Foundation, at vsmith@counties.org.