Funding for Firewood Banks Available as Winter Approaches

October 8 2026 — With winter approaching, the Alliance for Green Heat is seeking proposals from firewood banks across the country to expand their capacity to provide free firewood to families struggling to heat their homes.

AGH received $1.7 million in additional Infrastructure Assistance and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding through the U.S. Forest Service to extend its firewood bank grant program, which supports firewood banks in rural and tribal communities. The grants will help firewood banks purchase equipment such as chainsaws, firewood splitters and protective gear, to help communities put low-grade wood removed through forest management on federal and other lands to productive use heating homes.

“Firewood is a local, affordable and renewable fuel that is vital for many rural and tribal communities,” said John Ackerly, president of the Alliance for Green Heat. “Firewood banks can turn a local forest resource into heat, instead of using fuels from thousands of miles away.”

Firewood banks operate much like food banks—except that instead of providing food, they provide free firewood to households that cannot afford to heat their homes. Volunteers collect, process, season and distribute firewood, often using wood that might otherwise not be used.

At least 225 firewood banks operate in the United States. All existing firewood banks are eligible to apply.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that approximately 11 million U.S. households use firewood for primary or secondary heating. Firewood remains an important affordable heating fuel in rural America, where households can often obtain wood locally at little or no cost. (Note: See average heating costs by fuel type here https://www.maine.gov/energy/heating-fuel-prices)

Access to free wood is only part of the challenge. Many households rely on older wood stoves that are not EPA-certified, and many stoves are self-installed and do not meet applicable safety or building codes. 

AGH requires firewood banks receiving the new grants to properly season their wood unless exceptional circumstances prevent doing so. AGH also encourages banks to help their recipients get stove and chimney inspections through venders and local fire departments.

“Our grants help firewood banks provide not just wood, but better wood,” said Ackerly. “Properly seasoned firewood reduces smoke and creosote build-up while educating families  about indoor air quality and safe stove operation helps families burn wood more safely and efficiently.”

More information about the Alliance for Green Heat’s Firewood Bank Assistance Program, including eligibility requirements and application instructions, will be available at firewoodbanks.org in late October. Applications will open November 1, 2026. An info session will be held on October 28th at 2 PM (ET), register here.