Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Grant Program

North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) and USDA Forest Service

Agency: State

GrantWatch ID #169077

Grant Description

Grants of up to $15,000 to North Carolina nonprofit organizations, government agencies, homeowner's associations, and public educational institutions for projects related to community forests. Applicants must attend an informational webinar prior to applying. Funding is intended for management projects or educational activities that benefit community and urban forestry programs. Grants may be used within existing programs for new program development or program expansion.

The grant program has two complementing goals. The first is to increase the level of sustainable urban forest management in local communities. The second is to enhance the public’s knowledge of urban and community forestry, conservation, and best management practices and the economic, human health, and ecosystem services community forests provide. This is accomplished through the Grant program by funding projects in two broad categories: Management and Education & Outreach.

Projects should demonstrate how they address a community need and achieve Tree City USA or a Managing Community Designation by accomplishing a U&CF Component working in concert with the local community(s) in the project area(s).

For details on project requirements, see: https://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/grant/2022/2022_NCFS_Urban_and_Community_Forestry_Grant_RFP.pdf#page=9

Management Projects

Inventory/Assessment: An inventory of public trees or a tree canopy cover assessment for planning and management purposes. Eligibility varies by Project Component.
Management Plan Development: Development of management plans or U&CF activity standards and specifications. Eligibility: All municipalities and organizations.
Ordinance Development: Projects to develop or revise a tree/urban forestry ordinance. Eligibility: County government and municipalities
Professional Staff & Development: Professional training for municipal staff in urban and community forest management or funding for a U&CF staff position or consulting arborist/forester. Eligibility: All municipalities.

Education & Outreach Projects

Education & Training: Projects that provide educational programming or training for the public or target audience in urban and community forestry, the proper planting and maintenance of trees, and the human health benefits, economic benefits and ecosystems services trees and forests provide for communities.
Advocacy Group Development: Development of a U&CF advocacy group such as a tree board, not-for-profit organization, or volunteer U&CF stewardship group.

For details on program requirements and guidelines for each project type, begin here: https://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/grant/2022/2022_NCFS_Urban_and_Community_Forestry_Grant_RFP.pdf#page=10

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Eligibility:

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

The Grant project(s) must be located within the municipal boundaries of an incorporated North Carolina Village, Town or City.

Eligible Grantee Organizations:
- Municipal, County, or State government
- Public educational institution
- IRS approved non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
- Home Owners Association

Ineligible Grant & Match Expenses:
- Any expenses and staff or volunteer time incurred before or after the contract period.
- Any expense not part of an approved budget.
- Costs associated with preparing the grant application.
- Salaries of current staff, although they may qualify as match.
- General overhead and administration charges (Indirect), although they may qualify as a match.
- Expenses not supported by proper documentation.
- Shrubs, flowers, or groundcovers, although they may qualify as a match.
- Costs associated with regular and persistent tree maintenance.
- Cash Funds used to satisfy the match of other federal grants cannot be claimed as match for this grant.
- North Carolina Forest Service employee time/assistance with the grant project.

Pre-proposal Conference:

Organizations that are planning on or considering submitting a grant proposal are requested to attend one of the webinar sessions on January 19 or 21. This includes those who have attended a workshop or successfully applied for an NCFS U&CF Grant in the past. There have been numerous updates to grant program requirements and your proposal will be judged on meeting those requirements.

Grant proposal webinars will be held on January 19 & 21, 2022, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

For registration information, see: https://www.ncufc.org/events.php

Pre-Application Information:

Schedule:
- January 1, 2022: Grant proposal period opens
- January 19 and 21, 2022, 10:00-11:00 a.m. : Grant proposal webinars
- March 31, 2022, 5:00 PM EST: Grant proposals due
- April 1 - May 15, 2022: Proposal review
- June 30, 2022: Grant award

Grant Funds must be matched $1: $1 with Cash, In-Kind services or Donated Goods and Services and must come from non-federal sources. Matching funds for this project may not be used as a match for any other federal cost-share project.

Applicants must have a valid DUNS number and be registered with SAM.gov.

Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis.

Grant guidelines: https://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/urban_grant_guidelines.htm

Grant forms: https://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/urban_grant_rfp.htm

Grantwriting webinar: https://youtu.be/uS9CIu1OxLk

Additional Funding Information:

Estimated Size of Grant:

A minimum of $2,500 and maximum of $15,000 in Grant Funding is available for a grant project.

Term of Contract:

There may be financial or sound management reasons to phase projects such as a complete tree inventory over several years. Multi-year projects will be considered.

Contact Information:

Applications should be addressed to:
North Carolina Forest Service
2020 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program

Federal Express/UPS Deliveries:
512 N Salisbury Street
Archdale Building, 10th Floor
Raleigh, NC 27604-1170

U.S Mail:
1616 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1600

Hand deliver to Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC

Email to: Jennifer.rall@ncagr.gov

For additional information about this program or for guidance in completing a proposal contact your County Ranger and/or NC Urban Forestry at 919.857.4841.

Contact information: https://ncforestservice.gov/contacts/contacts_main.htm