FY 2025-2026 CERT/Citizen Corps Notice of Funding Opportunity
Volunteer Florida is proud to announce the availability of FY 25-26 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)/Citizen Corps (CC) Program funding.
Volunteer Florida is anticipating on awarding up to $100,000 in grant awards that may be capped at $5,000. 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 grant application may request what they anticipate is needed (not to exceed $10,000), but awards may be restricted to $5,000.
Volunteer Florida administers Florida’s CERT/Citizen Corps program and funding is administered by Volunteer Florida. 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 2025-2026 CERT/Citizens Corps NOFO
FY 25-26 CERT/Citizen Corps Timeline:
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Notice of Funding Availability & Application Release | June 6, 2025 COB |
| Technical Assistance Webinar | June 25, 2025 2:00pm – 3:00pm EDT |
| Technical Assistance Responses Posted | June 27, 2025 COB |
| Technical Assistance: Finance Webinar | July 9, 2025 2:00pm – 3:00pm EDT |
| Technical Assistance: Finance Responses Posted | July 11, 2025 COB |
| Deadline for Receipt of Applications via Blackbaud | August 7, 2025, 5:00PM EDT |
| Grant Review Period | August 8 – August 20, 2025 |
| Intent to Award Posted | August 22, 2025 COB |
| Budget Clarification/Approval | August 25, 2025 – September 5, 2025 |
| Anticipated Contract Award | August 22, 2025 COB |
| Contract Period of Performance | October 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026 |
Technical Assistance:
Interested parties may attend the Technical Assistance Webinar to be held June 25, 2025 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT by registering here.
Join the Teams Meeting Here: Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 223 085 010 585
Passcode: Ji7H4dG9
Interested parties may attend the Technical Assistance: Finance Webinar to be held July 9, 2025 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT by registering here.
Join the Teams Meeting Here: Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 236 103 294 165
Passcode: Qu7rS9pb
Applications are due to Volunteer Florida by Monday August 7, 2025 by 5:00 PM EDT via Blackbaud.
Click here to access the FY 2025-2026 CERT/Citizen Corps Blackbaud funding application
Any questions concerning the grant funding opportunity should be submitted via email to Tommy@volunteerflorida.org