Urban and Community Forestry Grant Opportunities

Connecticut hosts several urban and community forestry grant programs. These grant programs vary in the amount of funding they offer, the types of projects they will fund, and in their target applicants. You can read more about these grant programs below. Currently all urban forestry grant programs are closed, however, additional rounds may be offered so check back in the Fall 2023 for updated information.

1. The Urban Forestry Climate Change Grant Program

These are large grants ($10,000-$37,000) that can be used to initiate, grow, support, and expand activities by municipalities and non-profits that use urban forestry to address issues of environmental justice and combat the impacts of climate change. Examples of the types of projects that may be funded include, but are not limited to, the planting of trees, improving the management and maintenance of existing trees and/or wooded areas, and educational, outreach or planning efforts that will lead to improvements in local tree canopy cover. This grant is administered through the Connecticut Urban Forest Council.

See the Urban Forestry Climate Change Grants Program – Connecticut Urban Forest Council website for additional details and information.

2. Urban Forestry Equity through Capacity Building Grant Program

The Urban Forestry Equity through Capacity Building Grant Program is designed to assist up-and-coming organizations and municipalities interested in pursuing urban forestry projects while also building capacity within their organization. These grants can serve as a steppingstone for organizations and municipalities that are not yet ready to apply for larger grants, such as the Urban Forestry Climate Change Grant, but are interested in growing their programs to be competitive for such grants in the future. Awardees will work closely with a volunteer coordinator who will provide technical and programmatic assistance. Projects should be designed to address issues of environmental justice and combat the impacts of climate change. Examples of the types of projects that may be funded include planning projects, such as workshops and studies to identify programmatic goals, or on the ground projects, such as tree planting and/or maintenance projects. Awards range from $5,000-$10,000 and are administered through the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

See the Urban Forestry Equity through Capacity building Grant Program – CT DEEP/University of Connecticut webpage for additional details and information.

3. America the Beautiful Grant Program

Identifying and implementing successful urban forestry projects depends on a comprehensive understanding of current canopy conditions. To that end, the America the Beautiful Grant Program offers funding for municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations to pursue planning projects in urban forestry. These projects may include, but are not limited to, conducting inventories of street or park trees, creating urban forest management plans, developing monitoring programs to document tree condition, or surveys of urban woodlands and natural areas. Any municipality or 501(c)3 in the state is welcome to apply; work in an environmental justice area is not a requirement for this grant. Awards range from $1,000-$20,000 and are administered through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

See the America the Beautiful Grant Program – CT DEEP webpage for additional details and information.

4. Community Forestry Small Grants Program

The Community Forestry Small Grants Program supports small urban and community forestry projects throughout the state. Municipalities and small volunteer and non-profits groups may apply; 501(c)3 status is not a requirement for these grants. Projects funded by this grant program might include tree planting, efforts to protect existing trees, development and distribution of plant stewardship material, implementation of an event that engages students with the outdoors, or training of community stewards. Grants are administered through the Connecticut Urban Forest Council and are for amounts up to $2,000.

See the Community Forestry Small Grants Program – Connecticut Urban Forest Council website for additional details and information.

In addition to the grant programs outlined above, additional opportunities are available through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program.

Urban and Community Forestry Grants - Details at a Glance

Content last updated in March 2023.