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Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants Program

Learn about the application process here

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program provides matching grants to cities for park projects in underserved communities. These investments enable urban communities to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors.

From picnic tables to playgrounds, ORLP funding invests in outdoor recreation and the facilities needed to enjoy and use community parks. Accessible playgrounds, biking trails, and campgrounds have all been made possible through ORLP grants aimed at improving local access to outdoor recreation. Over $100 million in Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant funding has been invested nationwide.

Managed by the National Park Service and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the nationally competitive ORLP program provides matching grants (up to 50% of total project costs) to assist communities with little to no access to outdoor recreation opportunities in urban areas. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or to substantially renovate public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

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.

Green Communities Grant

Application deadline is on a Rolling basis for those municipalities and counties developing a Community Forestry Management Plan

Pursuant to the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act, N.J.S.A.13:1L-17.4(c), one purpose of the New Jersey Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program (NJUCF) is to provide grants to local governments and shade tree commissions to assist in the writing and implementation of a comprehensive Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP) to the extent monies are appropriated or otherwise made available. The NJUCF Green Communities Grant was established to provide this financial assistance.

Grants are awarded to encourage the development of CFMPs and projects that strongly link the use of best management practices to achieve urban and community forestry management goals defined in theCFMP.

Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Governmental

applications accepted year round

The State of New Mexico, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), Forestry Division  is seeking applications for urban and community forestry projects to assist communities in developing and maintaining sustainable stewardship of urban and community forestry resources in New Mexico. 

Eligible applicants  are non-federal governmental entities, including public colleges and universities and tribes (as long as other federal money is not involved).  Projects located on lands owned or administered by the federal government are not eligible for this funding.

Applications may request any amount up to $60,000.00. The Forestry Division reserves the right to partially fund projects. Project contacts will be notified by the Forestry Division Program Manager before any partial funding is approved. 

N.C. Forest Service – Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program

Applications Open July 1st, 2025

The primary objective of the North Carolina Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program is to assist municipalities with reaching a level of sustainable U&CF management that matches their goals and capacity. In addition, through this process and the completion of urban and community forestry practices and activities, we will enhance the quality of living in our communities. We define urban and community forestry as follows:

• Urban forestry is defined as the management of the planting, maintenance and protection of tree populations in urban settings to enhance the economic and ecosystem services trees provide to the community.
• Community forestry is a branch of forestry that engages the community in the completion of urban forestry practices in support of local government, serves broader community needs and works for positive change.

When municipalities and partners, including community organizations and other stakeholders, accomplish urban and community forestry practices and activities in an ordered manner, they enhance the level of management in the community, leading to long term program success. 

Urban Forestry Grant 2025

Application deadline is August 27th, 2025

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations are eligible to submit proposals for consideration under this competition. Funds supplied by the USDA Forest Service are intended to substantially invest in the long-term growth and development of local urban and community forestry programs.

This Request for Proposal is a follow up grant program to supplement the original grant program in 2024 to build upon executed awards and fund new projects. Existing awardees, unfunded applicants and new partners are all encouraged to apply.

Urban and Community Forestry Subaward Programs

See link below for application deadlines

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Urban & Community Forestry (UCF) received $26.6 million to stand up two subaward programs offering $10 million explicitly devoted to the nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon, and $12.5 million available to all eligible entities in the State of Oregon. Both funding opportunities aim to promote community and urban forest investment and tree equity for overburdened and underserved communities. This initiative strives to support Tribal, rural, and urban communities by providing benefits beyond individual project or program investments.

These Federal Financial Assistance grant awards 24-DG-11062765-084 and 23-DG-11062765-093 are administered by ODF. As the pass-through entity, ODF will be managing all subawards for the duration of this funding opportunity. Assistance with proposal development, technical consultation, and application writing is available upon request as part of the subaward programs.