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Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program 

Applications due January 12th, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry, is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). CFP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land.

The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects. 

Explore Various Opportunities via City Parks Alliance Page

With the influx of federal transportation dollars through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and FY 2023 budget package, City Parks Alliance is highlighting and educating members on the tremendous number of transportation programs that could be beneficial to their park and trail projects.

These programs include planning, capital projects, and technical assistance that aid with the creation of linear parks, trails, park access, and recreational facilities. Several of these programs have a focus on improving public safety, climate resilience, and equitable access to green space and recreation.

SFI Community Grants

SFI Community Grants are awarded for collaborative community-based projects, activities or events that support SFI’s efforts to connect communities to forests. Projects supported have included providing educators with tools to showcase green career pathways with students, incorporating Indigenous knowledge into forest management planning and education curriculum, and building youth engagement in outdoor education and conservation project.

Since the SFI Community Grant Program started in 2010, SFI has awarded 118 grants totaling more than $1 million invested to foster community-building projects. The 16 new grants of the 2023 program represent a record-breaking number of projects supported and more than $215,000 in total funding announced.

Current and Upcoming Grant Opportunities Through 2024 

Connecticut’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is gearing up for its most robust menu of grant offerings ever! Nearly $3 million will be available through 2028 to support urban and community forestry projects through the programs outlined below. Each grant program will have different award amounts, eligibility criteria, cost-share requirements, and will support different activities.

Check back periodically for request for proposals (RFP), applications, and additional details on these programs. The Urban and Community Forestry program will be holding office hours throughout the fall to help potential applicants navigate grant program criteria and support the proposal development and application process.  Check back periodically for office hours and other grant announcements. 

Grants for Community Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities

application deadline is friday, march 1st, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Funding for projects to enhance urban and community forestry in nature-deprived populations and disadvantaged communities is now available from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry allocation of the Inflation Reduction Act. This request for proposals provides funding assistance to government entities including municipalities, park districts, counties, tribal governments, townships, forest preserves, and other units of local government in Illinois to improve the urban forest. Only entities considered disadvantaged are eligible for funding through this program. To view all eligible areas, please see this map.

Community & Urban Forestry Grants

Each year the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) program has a Community & Urban Forestry Assistance (CUFA) grant provided by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) Northeastern Area. We encourage communities throughout Indiana to advance their urban forestry goals through application to this program. Grant applications for fiscal year 2023 will be announced later this summer.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Grant

application deadline is 12/22/2023

Indiana DNR Division of Forestry, Community & Urban Forestry has $1.8 million in grant funds available through the USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Grant Projects

• Tree Inventory or Urban Tree Canopy Assessment
• Management/Response Plan
• Education/Training
• New Tree Planting
• Community Education/Awareness Events
• Other activities (See application instructions)

Eligible Applicants: Local units of government or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. If awarded, the applicant will enter into a State Grant Agreement and must take responsibility for all aspects of the project through completion.

Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry Grants

applications due Friday, January 5th by 11:59 pm

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program encourages projects that plant trees and increase the benefits of tree canopy, create and support long-term and sustained urban and community forestry programs, and promote the care of trees in disadvantaged communities throughout Nevada. This program is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and is intended to support new initiatives, programs, projects, staff positions or activities not currently being funded through other sources.

Community Forestry Assistance Grants

APPLICATIONS DUE FRIDAY, JANUARY 5TH AT 11:59 PM

The Community Forestry Assistance (CFA) Grant Program prioritizes projects that improve urban tree canopies, promoting equitable distribution statewide. Unlike the IRA-funded Urban & Community Forestry Grants, funding is not restricted to disadvantaged communities. CFA grants offer a maximum award of $25,000 with a 20% match requirement, totaling $100,000 allocated for projects across Nevada. Projects funded through this initiative are supported through a collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS).

New York Urban and Community Forestry Grants

applications due january 31st 2024

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that applications are now being accepted for a total of $12.9 million for urban and community forestry projects through the Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunity. Earlier this month Governor Hochul announced the funding was made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program to increase equitable access to healthy trees and green spaces in urban and community forests to support building a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and create economic opportunity.

Emerging Programs 2023

Inflation Reduction Act Funding

Application deadline is December 29th, 2023

This specific RFP is intended to benefit small communities and any community without an existing, well-developed urban forestry program.

Established Programs 2023

Inflation Reduction Act Funding

Application deadline is december 29th, 2023

This specific RFP is intended to benefit communities with designated disadvantaged populations with
existing, well-established urban forestry programs.

Community Forestry Grants

(COMING SOON)

Applications will be opening in early December 2023 and closing in Mid-February 2024

The Texas A&M Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program helps communities develop sustainable programs that provide Texans with healthy trees and forests. The Texas A&M Forest Service’s Community Forestry Grant Program will soon be accepting proposals for the 2024 competitive grant program.

Healthy urban & community forests are essential to the economic, environmental, physical and mental well-being of all Texans. The grant categories for this year include Schoolyard Forests, Community Greening, Municipal Foresters, Tree City USA, Climate Resiliency, Human Health Equity and Accessibility, and Tree Plantings.

Eligible entities for community forestry grants must be public or non-profit. Examples include, but are not limited to, State and local governmental agencies, Public education institutions, NGO or non-profit (501c3), Public utility districts (PUD, MUD, etc.). Individuals, businesses and federal agencies are not eligible.

Virginia Trees for Clean Water
(VTCW) Grant Program

available through the end of 2023

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) has announced the availability of approximately $500,000 in grant funding through the end of 2023 for the Virginia Trees for Clean Water (VTCW) Grant Program. Supported by the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund, the VTCW Grant Program is designed to improve water quality across Virginia by encouraging tree-planting efforts where they are needed most and raise awareness of their benefits.

This cycle of grant funds will be used for projects that will be completed by the end of the year (Dec. 31). Grants may be awarded to civic groups, communities, local governments, tribal organizations, non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, public educational institutions, and state agencies.

2024 Community Forest Assistance Grant Program

applications due january 8th, 2024

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources began accepting applications Monday for what is by far the largest amount of urban and community forestry grant funding ever offered by the agency.