Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program

• Any unit of local or state government
• Public educational institutions
• IRS approved non-profit 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt organizations

 Partnerships between groups or other organizations are encouraged.

Grant requests can range from $2,000 to $10,000, with a match requirement of 50% of the amount awarded.

• Grant funds are awarded to the state on an annual basis through the USDA Forest Service and are administered by the RIDEM Division of Forest Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program.
• The match grant provides 50% of the project costs, and requires matching funds or in-kind efforts, to encourage citizen involvement in creating and sustaining urban and community forestry programs.
• First-time municipal applicants, and municipalities seeking Tree City USA status, are given priority for funding.
• Funding for the project is on a reimbursement basis only.

 Annual grant timeline:

• The grant cycle opens November of each year.
• Grant workshops are offered in November. Attendance is strongly advised prior to making a grant application.
• Grant applications/proposals are due by January 15 at 4:00pm.
• Grant awards are reviewed and the recipients notified about the success of their application by early February.
• Grant projects begin in Late February/Early March and must be completed by February 28 the following year (12 months).

Grant funds can be used for:

• New programs: for programs, projects or activities not currently funded, not as a substitute for existing funds
• Existing programs: to stimulate new program development or program expansion
• To assist a community or organization to meet the requirements for Tree City USA and Tree City Growth Awards, Tree Campus USA or Tree Line USA
• Training and education: To enhance the technical skills of those people involved in the planning, development and maintenance of urban and community forests or to provide educational programs and technical assistance to communities, individuals and organizations

Project Examples:

• Examples of eligible grant projects

Funding is not available for entertainment, food and beverages, computers, tree maintenance, or construction and landscape supplies/equipment.

Meeting the match requirements:

• Grant costs, as itemized in the project budget, are paid on a reimbursement basis only.
• Grant funds can be matched with other funding sources (such as state or non-profits), but not by other federal funds.
• Documentation of all matching support must be maintained and submitted with reimbursement.
• A match can be in the form of cash purchase or in-kind contributions, all from non-federal sources.
• A match cannot be met by cash purchase or in-kind contribution for entertainment, food and beverages, computers, tree maintenance, or construction and landscape supplies/equipment.