Communities Caring for Canopy Grants
Communities Caring for Canopy Grants support Vermont municipalities and public educational institutions with tree planting, care, and planning to sustain local trees, forests, and community forestry programs.
This grant was recently updated
Applications are now available and due January 29, 2027, replacing the anticipated mid-January deadline. Newly posted terms include $5,000–$20,000 awards from a $100,000 pool, a 50:50 cost share, and completion by October 27, 2028; eligible activities and application materials also changed.
Funder: Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Due Dates: January 29, 2027, 5:00 p.m. EST (Application and attachments)
Funding Amounts: $5,000–$20,000 per award; $100,000 available; projects completed by October 27, 2028
Summary: Supports Vermont municipalities and public educational institutions with tree planting, care, planning, and community forestry program development.
Key Information: Reimbursement funding requires at least 1:1 match and the ability to pay project expenses upfront.
Description
Communities Caring for Canopy is administered by the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF), with USDA Forest Service funding through Cooperative Forestry Assistance. It helps Vermont communities develop and sustain local programs that advance urban and community trees and forests. Applicants may combine multiple forestry activities in one application, including planting, maintenance, protection, inventories, management planning, pest preparedness, training, and outreach.
The program supports work in public ways and places and at public educational institutions, with conditional eligibility for private-property tree planting that serves the public good. Projects should be shovel-ready, with clear plans and realistic timelines. Strategic planting that conserves energy, improves recreation, enhances community resilience, or increases business patronage receives special consideration; equitable canopy distribution and stormwater management are also encouraged.
