Urban and Community Forestry Grant Opportunities
Connecticut’s Urban and Community Forestry Program has a robust menu of grant offerings. Check back periodically for information regarding request for proposals (RFPs), applications, office hours, and additional details on these programs.
Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program (Closed)
The Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program offered funding for municipalities and non-profit organizations to pursue planning projects such as tree inventories, management plans, or other monitoring programs that help communities to make informed management decisions. This grant is no longer available. For more information, contact DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov.
Trees for Communities Grant Program (Closed)
Through the Inflation Reduction Act, funding was available to municipalities, nonprofits, and other eligible organizations to increase access to trees and the benefits they provide in low-tree canopy communities throughout Connecticut. This grant is no longer available. For more information, contact DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov.
Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program
The State Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program supports efforts to restore and improve urban forests lost due to catastrophic losses from Emerald Ash Borer and other pests and diseases while building resiliency through tree diversity and the protection of existing trees. Funds can be used for management and reforestation including tree planting and tree removals. More information and how to apply for this program.
Resilient Forestry Practices Grant
With support from the Inflation Reduction Act, CT DEEP’s Urban & Community Forestry (UCF) Program has $1 million available to help rural communities in Connecticut implement resilient forestry practices. More information and how to apply for this program.
Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program Summary
| Grant Program | Applicant Eligibility | Eligible Project Types | Anticipated Release | Match Requirement | Funding Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant | Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations | Planning projects such as tree inventories and management plans | Closed | 50:50 match requirement | US Forest Service Consolidated Payment Grant |
| Trees For Communities Grant | Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations working in designated communities | Various | Closed | No match requirement | Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) |
| Urban Forest Resilience Grant | Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations | Tree removal and tree planting in response to forest pests and diseases | Summer 2026 | 50:50 match requirement | US Forest Service Urban Forest Resilience Grant |
| Resilient Forestry Practices Grant | Municipalities or federally recognized tribes with a population less than 50,000. The LSR Project Planning Tool will be used to verify applicant eligibility. | Resilient Forestry Practice implementation as defined by the CT Natural Resource Conservation Service. |
Request for Information (pre-application survey) due March 13, 2026. Request for Proposals will be released June 2026. |
None | Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), USDA Forest Service, Forest Stewardship Program |
*Some exceptions may apply, contact DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov for more information.
Motivated by the multiple funding sources and grant categories with differing eligibility and cost-share requirements, UCF staff have worked with DEEP's Natural Resources' GIS team to develop a Grants Eligibility Map.
Examples of past projects that we have funded in Connecticut.
Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program applications ask for detailed budget and timeline information; we strongly recommend planning your project using the Grant Timeline Template, as well as the Grant Budget Template with Match or the Grant Budget Template Without Match, as applicable. All applicants, especially first time applicants, are encouraged to review the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Starter Guide for an overview of the applicant process and proposal writing guidance.
Content last updated February 2026.