Chapter 7 › XIII.D Emergency Protective Measures Conducted by Private Nonprofit Organizations

What emergency work can a private nonprofit claim?

FEMA term

Emergency protective measures conducted by private nonprofit organizations

Short answer

Generally only work to protect its own eligible facility and contents, and debris removal from that facility. Emergency services are a government responsibility, so a nonprofit providing them is paid through the government that asked for them in writing.

What FEMA requires

Services such as fire and rescue, animal control, ambulance evacuation and 211 call services are funded through the requesting government as the applicant.
Nonprofit medical and custodial care facilities can be reimbursed directly for patient evacuation.
In limited cases, FEMA reimburses a nonprofit directly when essential components are urgently needed to save lives, such as a hospital emergency room or a water or sewage plant.
A nonprofit volunteer fire department is a direct applicant if an agreement with a government legally authorizes it to provide emergency services in designated areas.
Nonprofit operating costs are generally ineligible, even for emergency services, unless performed at a government’s request.

Documentation

The written agreement or contract with the government entity, and records tying costs to your eligible facility.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Nonprofits that support response should sign agreements with their local governments before disaster season, so the work has a funded path.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.