The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program funds projects which lead to a more effective and efficient management of urban and community forests and improve public understanding of the benefits of preserving existing tree cover in communities.
Donor Name: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
State: Rhode Island
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/31/2023
Size of the Grant: $2,000 – $10,000
Grant Duration: 11 months
Details:
The Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program (U&CF) provides cost-share grants to Rhode Island local governments, public educational institutions, and non-profit organizations.
Goals
- Promote active and sustainable management to conserve trees and forests where people live, work and play.
- Protect trees and forests from threats through planning and response (invasive, catastrophic, climate, etc.).
- Enhance the public benefits from trees and forests through improved management practices.
Grant Categories
Grants are awarded for a range of urban forestry projects. These projects must be reflective of the needs of the community and should demonstrate the community’s commitment to urban forestry. There are 3 focused categories and applications must identify which category best describes the proposal:
- Municipal Urban Forestry Planning
- This category is provided to encourage improved management of a community’s forest. Priority will be given to projects that enhance a local government’s ability to maintain a comprehensive urban management program.
- This category is meant to advance urban forestry practices at the local level, engaging residents and staff in understanding the benefits of urban forestry and managing proactively.
- Education and Outreach
- Projects submitted under the Education and Outreach category should aim to advance skills and practical knowledge for municipal staff, local residents or other groups.
- Events may be associated with other events such as Arbor Day or Earth Day celebrations or a community tree-planting or tree-care event. Documentation of attendees must be included when requesting reimbursement, sample sign-in formats are available on the UCF webpage.
- Municipal Urban Tree Planting
- This category is provided to facilitate strategic planting and maintenance of community trees for public benefits.
- Projects must show robust engagement with residents, community involvement, and public support. Priority will be given to projects with a community education and outreach component.
Funding Information
- Requests for assistance should range between $2,000 and $10,000.
- Proposed projects must be able to be completed within 11 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- 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 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.
Uses of Funds
Funds are to be used to enhance or expand existing programs or to initiate new program development. Funding is for programs, projects, or activities not currently being funded and cannot be used to substitute for existing funds. Funds may be used within existing programs to initiate new program development or program expansion. Funding is not available for entertainment, food/beverages, computers, tree maintenance, or construction or landscaping supplies.
For more information, visit RIDEM.
