The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, announces the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Grant Assistance Program.
Donor Name: Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
State: Tennessee
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/02/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 4 Years
Details:
This program is designed to fund projects that promote the creation, enhancement, and protection of urban and community forest ecosystems in disadvantaged communities throughout Tennessee.
Objectives
- Integrate Urban and Community Forestry principles into all scales of planning
- Promote the role of Urban and Community Forestry in human health and wellness
- Cultivate diversity, equity, and leadership within the Urban Forestry community
- Strengthen Urban and Community Forest health and biodiversity for long-term resilience
- Improve Urban and Community Forest management, maintenance and stewardship
- Diversify, leverage, and increase funding for Urban and Community Forestry
- Increase public awareness and environmental education to promote stewardship
- Prioritize projects focusing work on extreme heat mitigation, urban wood utilization urban food forests and workforce development
Goals
- Facilitate the development of strong partnerships between and among other state government departments and programs; nonprofit organizations; city and county governments; civic organizations; affiliated businesses; and educational institutions.
- Increase awareness and practice of full circle management in urban and community forests.
- Increase engagement with prioritized communities under the Justice40 initiative through outreach, education, technical, and financial assistance.
- Increase awareness of the numerous benefits of trees including those related to extreme heat mitigation, stormwater, and public health outcomes.
- Increase community preparedness for natural disasters by providing education and outreach, and assistance related to the Readiness, Response and Recovery program.
- Increase the number of communities participating in Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs.
Funding Information
IRA qualified projects can apply for amounts between $10,000 and $225,000. Multi-year IRA projects may apply for a maximum amount of $225,000 per year for four (4) years. Maximum award for multi-year IRA qualified projects is $900,000.
Project Period
Most projects are expected to be completed within one (1) year from the date of the finalized grant agreement.
Eligible Projects
- Urban And Community Forestry Management
- Tree Planting
- Program Development Or Capacity Building
- Urban And Community Wood Utilization
- Workforce Development
Eligibility Criteria
Funds may be awarded to units of local governments (city, town, county), non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, or public educational institutions. Other organizations, such as community tree volunteer groups, neighborhood associations or civic groups which are not 501(c)3 organizations, are eligible but must apply in partnership with a non-profit organization or their local government. Non-profit organizations will need to upload a copy of their IRS 501(c)3 Letter of Determination.
For more information, visit TDA.
