Urban and Community Forestry Grant Opportunities
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.
Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program
The Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program offers funding for municipalities and non-profit organizations to pursue planning projects such as tree inventories, management plans, or other monitoring programs that will help communities to make informed management decisions. More information and how to apply for this program
Urban Forest Equity Grant Program
Through the Inflation Reduction Act, historic funding is available to municipalities, nonprofits, and other eligible organizations to increase equitable access to trees and the benefits they provide in disadvantaged communities throughout Connecticut. More information and how to apply for this program
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
Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, funding is available to address forest health issues, specifically invasive control and restoration of urban forested natural areas and riparian corridors. More information and how to apply for this program
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-profit groups may apply; 501(c)3 status is not a requirement for this program. **Please note: this grant program is managed and offered by the Connecticut Urban Forestry Council (CUFC) and not by DEEP. Please visit the program's website for further details and contact information.**
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 | Fall 2023 | 50:50 match requirement | US Forest Service Consolidated Payment Grant |
Urban Forest Equity Grant | Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations working in disadvantaged communities* | Various | Early in 2024 | 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 | Mid-2024 | 50:50 match requirement | US Forest Service Urban Forest Resilience Grant |
Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant | Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations | Invasive control and restoration along riparian corridors and in urban forested natural areas | Mid-2024 | No match requirement | Bipartisan Infrastructure Law |
Community Forestry Small Grants | Municipalities, 501(c)3 organizations, and volunteer groups | Various | Spring 2024 | 50:50 match requirement | US Forest Service Consolidated Payment Grant |
*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.
Visit this page to see examples of past projects that we have funded in Connecticut.
Grant Office Hours
DEEP Urban and Community Forestry staff will host Grants Office Hours as a chance for applicants to ask specific questions about the grant categories, application development, and submission process. These Office Hours will be held virtually using Zoom, no registration required. Participants are welcome to drop-in at any point within the hour-long session. Meeting dates, times, and links are listed below, check back periodically for additional Office Hour Dates.
- Thursday October 5th from 12:00PM-1:00PM, drop-in session
- Thursday October 26th from 12:30PM-1:30PM, drop-in session
- Thursday November 9th from 12:30PM-1:30PM, drop-in session
- Wednesday November 29th from 12:00PM-1:00PM, drop-in session
- Thursday December 14th from 12:00PM-1:00PM, drop-in session
- Wednesday January 10th from 12:00PM-1:00PM, drop-in session
- Wednesday January 24th from 12:00Pm-1:00PM, drop-in session
- Wednesday February 14th from 12:00PM-1:00PM drop-in session
- Wednesday March 13th from 12:00PM-1:00PM drop-in session
- Wednesday March 27th from 12:00PM-1:00PM drop-in session
- Thursday April 4th from 12:00pm-1:00pm drop-in session
- Wednesday April 10 from 12:00pm-1:00pm drop-in session
Content last updated in March 19, 2024.