The Connecticut Urban Forest Council is not soliciting proposals for the small grant program. Proposals are due March 15, 2021. Please read below for details.

Community Forestry Small Grants Program

The Connecticut Urban Forest Council, Inc. (CUFC) is a statewide non-profit organization composed of representatives from Connecticut environmental organizations, state agencies, universities, research institutions, corporations, professional and volunteer tree groups.  Its purpose is to provide advice, assistance, education, information, and support to those interested in urban and community forestry.  Our small grants program in 2021 will help existing organizations and municipalities address issues related to urban forest health.  We expect to award 4 grants of up to $1,500.  Please note that a similar program with larger grants focusing on planning/execution of urban forestry projects addressing mitigation of global climate change impacts on underserved urban neighborhoods, supported by state funds, will be announced later in 2021.

Priorities include (1) teaching about urban forestry and the tools used to manage urban trees and forests, and (2) increasing public awareness of opportunities to protect urban forestland and urban trees, emphasizing public benefits.  Examples of grant subjects include tree planting, efforts to protect existing trees, development and distribution of plant stewardship material, implementation of an event that engages students with the outdoors, the investment in a door-to-door campaign to raise awareness and participation in storm recovery efforts or environmental restoration activities, or training of community stewards to monitor tree health in their neighborhoods or nearby parks, etc...

Grants to nonprofit organizations will be awarded to projects that directly benefit educational goals related to urban forests in Connecticut.  Projects that serve neighborhoods or areas with low tree canopy coverage and limited resources, and/or that utilize partnerships to amplify the project's impacts are strongly encouraged.  Please consider the scoring sheet in the Appendix when submitting a proposal, and keep in mind CoVID-19 health restrictions in plans for conducting your activities.

Grant administration and requirements

• ·        Funds from awarded grants are usually paid upon submission of invoices to the CUFC.  Partial need-based funding prior to obtaining receipts may be requested of the CUFC.
• ·        Grant requests may not exceed $1,500
• ·        Applicants must be able to commit to a 50% match, which can consist of funds from other donors or in-kind contributions (such as volunteer hours of labor).
• ·        Applications must be submitted by inserting text in required sections marked by an asterisk (*) within this document.  The completed document, along with accompanying files, may be sent directly via e-mail to Richard.Cowles@ct.gov 
• ·        Any printed materials produced by the grantee must acknowledge the U.S. Forest Service for having provided support.

Grant administration and requirements (continued)

• ·        Successful applicants must agree to submit a narrative report on the status of the project and how the funds were used within 1 year of being awarded a grant.
• ·        Successful projects will be announced on March 31, 2021.
• ·        Submission deadline: Proposals must be submitted with this form no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 15, 2021.