CERT/Citizen Corps Grant Opportunities

FY 2023-2024 CERT/Citizen Corps Notice of Funding Opportunity

Volunteer Florida is proud to announce the availability of FY 2023-2024 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)/Citizen Corps Program funding.

Volunteer Florida is anticipating awarding up to $100,000 in subgrant awards that may be capped at $5,000 each. Interested parties may apply for funding for a CERT program, a Citizen Corps program, or both. If seeking funding for both CERT and Citizen Corps, a separate application must be submitted for each.  Each subgrant application may request what is needed (not to exceed $10,000), but awards may be restricted to $5,000.

Volunteer Florida administers Florida’s CERT/Citizen Corps program with funding provided by Volunteer Florida through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Program. The CERT program is a training program that allows citizens to receive training in basic disaster response skills which allow these volunteers to provide critical support, giving immediate assistance to victims before emergency first responders arrive on scene.

The Citizen Corps program was created to coordinate volunteer activities that will make local communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. Citizen Corps Councils focus on emergency planning and education that will enhance community post-disaster resiliency.

Eligible applicants include local units of government, counties and cities within the State of Florida, Fire Tax Districts, other tax districts, regional planning councils, state-supported community colleges, colleges and universities, and federally recognized tribes or nations within the State of Florida. Although 501(c)3 non-profit organizations are not directly eligible, local jurisdictions can subcontract with 501(c)3 organizations to perform these functions.

Click here to download the FY 2023-2024 CERT/Citizens Corps RFP

FY 2023-2024 CERT/Citizen Corps RFP Timeline is as follows:

Technical Assistance:

Interested parties may attend the Technical Assistance Webinar to be held June 28, 2023 10:00 am – 11:00 am EDT by registering here.

Interested parties may attend the Technical Assistance: Finance Webinar to be held July 12, 2023 10:00am-11:00am EDT by registering here.

Due Date:

Applications are due to Volunteer Florida by August 3, 2023 by 5:00 PM EDT via Blackbaud.

Click here to access the FY 2023-2024 CERT/Citizen Corps Blackbaud Funding Application

Any questions concerning the grant funding opportunity should be submitted via email to Shanelle@volunteerflorida.org.