Grants of up to $20,000 to Mississippi nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions for the development of self-sustaining, long-term community and urban forestry programs. Funding is intended to increase local capacity, training and continuing education, volunteer involvement, and planning.

Projects that demonstrate use of funding to provide the largest impact will receive priority. Grantees are encouraged to do projects of state-wide significance such as training, publications, or research that could be used to provide information on a statewide basis. First-time municipal applicants and municipalities seeking Tree City USA status are also given priority for funding. Tree planting and demonstration projects will have the lowest priority for funding.

Eligible Projects must meet Federal and State Program Objectives. Projects must be consistent with the comprehensive plan of the city or county where the project will take place. The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program is intended to support new initiatives, programs, projects, staff positions, or activities not currently being funded through other sources or to expand existing programs that would not occur without grant funds.

Priority should be given to projects that maximize leveraging of federal funds, target the national U&CF program goals, stimulate U&CF activity and program development, and create involvement of volunteers.

For the list of National U&CF Program Goals, see https://www.mfc.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Urban-Community-Forestry-Grant-Application.pdf#page=3

For Regional U&CF Program Guidance and State Program Objectives, see https://www.mfc.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Urban-Community-Forestry-Grant-Application.pdf#page=4

Current Mississippi Urban and Community Forest Program objectives are listed below:

1. Increase awareness of the importance of trees and urban forest management in the urban environment.
2. Work to ensure a healthy urban environment and livable cities in Mississippi through urban forest management.
3. Increase technical expertise in urban and community forestry practices and provide education and training opportunities to urban forest managers, tree care providers, consultants, foresters, and volunteers on urban and community forest management and proper tree care.
4. Develop self-sustaining urban and community forestry programs at the local and state levels.
5. Encourage partnerships in support of urban and community forestry in Mississippi.
6. Seek funding opportunities for implementing urban and community forestry programs in Mississippi.

For examples of eligible projects, see https://www.mfc.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Urban-Community-Forestry-Grant-Application.pdf#page=8