Funder Members

The Funder Member tier is designed for funders and funder intermediaries with significant wildfire grantmaking portfolios that are interested in deepening their strategic impact and network collaboration.

This tier offers comprehensive engagement with the network and its members and affiliates. By joining, you will gain exclusive access to member-only content and learning spaces, opportunities for deeper peer connections and collaboration, elevated visibility within the network, and personalized strategic support from WRF.

Member Benefits

★ Member-only, Funder-only & Network Meetings

Unique opportunities to learn from experts in the field, including member-only spaces and conversations.

★ Member Newsletter & Blog

A monthly newsletter with recent and upcoming activities, member-recommended resources, and the opportunity to be featured on the WRF blog.

★ Share Stories & Events

Share stories and events relevant to the Wildfire Funders Network for newsletter, website, and social media consideration.

★ Annual Convening & Events

Discounted registration to attend the in-person annual convening, and other WRF events, where members can build relationships with other funders.

★ Wildfire Working Groups 

The opportunity to initiate, lead, and participate in working groups developed and led by peers to advance collaboration on shared wildfire interests.

★ Wildfire Funder Directory

A private directory of funders engaged in wildfire resilience where members are listed and can search by topic and region to establish new connections.

★ Hands-on Strategic Support

Assistance and advice from the staff of WRF, which is increasingly positioned as a hub for wildfire resilience programs, policies, and collaborative action. As a result, staff connect members with aligned grantmakers to share innovation strategies, opportunities for co-funding, and resources to enhance decision-making.

★ Showcase Member Strategy & Grantees

Opportunities to showcase your foundation’s strategies and grantees at network meetings, on the WRF website, and at WRF events.

How to Join

If you are ready to join WRF as a Funder Member or have questions about joining, please fill out the application form below and our team will be in touch.

Grantmaking organizations that are not ready or eligible to become a paying Funder Member can join as a Funder Affiliate. If you are not from a grantmaking organization, explore joining as an Practitioner Affiliate.

Join as a Funder Member

Member Eligibility

Organizations that meet the following criteria are welcome to apply to WRF as a dues-paying Funder Member:

  • Operate primarily as a grantmaker or coordinate the granting of at least $200,000 to at least 3 organizations yearly
  • Have a demonstrated interest in wildfire resilience issues, and/or interconnected issues (E.g., the water and wildfire nexus)
  • Engage with the goal of active learning and collaboration with other funders
  • Agree to uphold the network guidelines (see accordion below)

Annual Member Dues

WRF’s annual dues model is subsidized by grants and was developed based on the direction and advice of its Advisory Committee. Dues help sustain operations and enhance the benefits that WRF can offer to its grantmaking members.

Dues are set on a sliding scale based on a member’s wildfire-related grantmaking budget. The deadline for payment is May 1 of each year to secure membership for the following 12 months.

Dues paid to support WRF are fully tax-deductible donations to a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Network Guidelines

WRF Members are expected to participate in the network in accordance with the following guidelines:

  • Promote continuous learning and remain open to new ideas and perspectives
  • Treat fellow participants with respect
  • Foster an environment where trust and collaboration are nurtured
  • Express only their own opinions and avoid any claims to represent the views of other participants or the broader network
  • Refrain from requesting funds for specific projects unless specifically invited to do so
  • Maintain awareness of the power dynamics in the funder-grantee relationship and endeavor to engage with curiosity and a spirit of shared commitment to addressing challenging issues
  • Collaborate to leverage and expand philanthropic investments and impact on wildfire resilience issues

WRF reserves the right to remove individuals and/or organizations from the network if they do not adhere to these guidelines.