Community and Urban Forestry Assistance Grant

The Community and Urban Forestry Assistance Grant is administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry through its Community and Urban Forestry Program, with funding support from the United States Forest Service. The program is designed to strengthen local capacity for managing urban and community forests across Indiana by encouraging coordinated planning, education, and implementation efforts. It reflects a broader federal and state priority to enhance environmental quality, community resilience, and public well-being through sustainable tree canopy management. The primary purpose of the grant is to invest in the long term growth and development of community forestry programs. This includes protecting existing tree canopy, expanding tree coverage in urban and community areas, and improving the resilience of tree populations to threats such as pests, extreme weather events, and climate change. The program is structured around three focus areas: protection, expansion, and improvement. Each focus area includes a range of eligible project types such as education and training, ordinance development, nonprofit establishment, tree planting, invasive species replacement, urban food forest development, canopy assessments, and management planning. Funding is available in amounts ranging from one thousand dollars to thirty thousand dollars per project. The total program funding available is specified at several hundred thousand dollars, and all awarded funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis. A mandatory one to one match requirement applies, meaning that applicants must provide an equal amount of matching funds through cash, in kind contributions, or a combination of both. Matching funds must directly support project activities and occur within the grant period. Certain costs are explicitly ineligible, including food, vehicles, and large equipment purchases exceeding specified thresholds. Eligibility is limited to municipalities and nonprofit organizations with valid 501c3 status operating within Indiana. Municipal entities include a wide range of local government bodies such as cities, counties, school corporations, and public authorities. Additional eligibility requirements apply depending on the focus area selected. For example, applicants seeking funding under the expansion category must demonstrate the existence of an active tree ordinance and a recent tree inventory or include plans to complete one. Projects must also meet specific technical and documentation standards outlined in program addenda. Applications must be submitted through the State Budget Agency grants portal, and applicants are required to provide a complete set of materials including a narrative, detailed budget, project timeline, public comment forms, and supporting documentation. Applications are reviewed first for eligibility and then evaluated by an independent scoring committee based on criteria such as project quality, community impact, budget justification, and partnerships. Projects must receive majority approval from reviewers to be considered for funding. The application cycle opens on July 1, 2026 and closes on September 11, 2026. Award notifications are scheduled for October 12, 2026, and funded projects must be completed by May 1, 2028. During the grant period, recipients are required to document expenditures, submit reimbursement requests, and comply with both state and federal reporting requirements. Program staff are available for assistance, and applicants may contact the Division of Forestry via email or phone for guidance throughout the application process.

Ensure strong community engagement plans include detailed budgets and demonstrate clear measurable outcomes align project with canopy protection expansion or resilience goals