Georgia ReLeaf Grant

The Georgia ReLeaf Grant Request for Proposals supports community forestry projects in Georgia using funding allocated by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service to the Georgia Forestry Commission for statewide distribution in partnership with the Georgia Tree Council. The funding is provided under the authority of 16 USC 2105 and Public Law 117-169, Subtitle D, Section 23003(a), State and Private Forestry Conservation Programs. A total of $150,000 is available for the funding cycle. The program seeks to improve urban tree canopies in Georgia communities, sustain the health of community forests, incorporate tree planting into municipal planning efforts, and increase Georgia residents' access to the health benefits provided by community forests. Applicants may seek support for tree planting projects, tree giveaway projects, or projects combining planting and giveaways. Tree planting projects may install trees in public spaces such as parks, schools, playgrounds, greenspaces, rights-of-way, business districts, parking lots, downtown areas, and other municipal property. Certain private property may qualify when legal documentation establishes long-term unrestricted public access, but applicants are instructed to obtain prior Georgia Tree Council approval before beginning an application for such a site. Eligible planting expenses include trees and delivery fees, staking materials, natural undyed mulch, watering aids such as gator bags or tree diapers, equipment rental, and professional tree installation. Tree giveaway projects may provide community residents with up to two containerized trees ranging from 1 gallon to 7 gallons per participant, together with information about tree selection, planting, and maintenance. Giveaway funding may cover trees and delivery, natural undyed mulch, and approved watering aids. Projects using predominantly ornamental trees such as crape myrtles or Bradford pears will not be considered. Community orchards and food forests are also ineligible, although native, low-maintenance fruit species may comprise up to 15 percent of the tree species in a project when they meet the applicable Georgia Forestry Commission guidance. Landscaping for areas undergoing construction or grading when the application is submitted, or areas scheduled for construction or grading projects, is ineligible. The maximum grant award is $15,000, and recipients are not required to provide a funding match. Awards are administered on a reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must document approved project expenditures before funds are dispersed. For the funding cycle, projects must serve a qualified Georgia community. Qualified communities include those designated as match waiver qualified on the Georgia TAG and ReLeaf Match Waiver Map and under-resourced communities with a documented environmental or public health need that can be addressed through increased canopy cover. Applicants may establish such need using economic data, public health data, canopy cover reports, land use history, municipal comprehensive plans, or other relevant sources. Municipalities, government agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions may apply. Community tree volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, civic groups, and other organizations may participate by applying in partnership with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or their local government. Every applicant must have both a Federal Employer Identification Number and a Unique Entity Identifier. Tree planting applications must include a three-year maintenance plan and a planting plan containing an aerial photograph of the planting location with each proposed tree clearly marked and labeled by species, the area of the planting site, and a list of tree species. Depending on the project, letters of endorsement or support are also required. These include landowner permission when the applicant does not own the property, long-term municipal support and permission for municipal projects, Georgia Department of Transportation confirmation for planting on a state right-of-way, and support letters from partner organizations essential to implementation. Tree giveaway applications must address event promotion, recipient selection, collection of planting-location ZIP codes, distribution of educational materials, and plans for trees remaining after the initial event. They must also provide the event date and location and applicable partner support letters. Proposals are evaluated for their benefit to areas needing increased canopy cover, alignment with Georgia ReLeaf objectives, realistic completion schedules, cost-effectiveness, appropriate planting plans and tree species, three-year maintenance planning for plantings, community involvement and local support, strong partnerships, use of ISA certified arborists for planting activities, public relations and awareness, enhancement of environmental, social, cultural, historical, psychological, and economic values, and the applicant's demonstrated ability to complete the project. Documented cash and in-kind matching commitments are considered when applicable, even though a funding match is not required. Certified Tree City USA cities receive additional consideration in application scoring. Applications were available through Submittable from March 13, 2026 through July 15, 2026. Applications had to be submitted through the online grant portal, and paper applications were not accepted. Recipients are scheduled to be notified in August 2026, and funded Georgia ReLeaf projects must be completed before March 31, 2027. The RFP identifies Alicia Holloway, Georgia Tree Council Outreach Coordinator, as the contact for questions, but the supplied solicitation does not state an email address or telephone number. The solicitation does not explicitly state that the opportunity recurs annually or provide dates for a subsequent application cycle.

Prioritize projects benefiting areas needing increased canopy cover and explicitly connect the proposal to Georgia ReLeaf objectives. Present a realistic, cost-effective implementation schedule, appropriate tree species, and a strong three-year maintenance plan for plantings. Demonstrate community involvement, local support, strong partnerships, public awareness, and capacity to complete the project. Use of ISA certified arborists for planting activities is an evaluation factor. Certified Tree City USA cities receive additional consideration.