California ReLeaf seeks and provides pass-through grants to ReLeaf Network Members and other community groups interested in planting and caring for trees in California. In the past, grant funding has been provided through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Region IX of the Environmental Protection Agency and the USDA Forest Service. (see, for example, the Recovery Act Grants of 2009).The purpose of these programs is to meet the critical need of creating and sustaining healthy communities in California by providing funding for an array of urban forestry efforts that range from education and outreach to tree-planting projects.
Since 1992, California ReLeaf has distributed more than $9 million to nonprofits, local agencies and community-based groups throughout the state for the planting and care of trees on public property, education and outreach projects, green jobs training, and volunteer development. Grant recipients have involved thousands of volunteers in the planting and care of nearly 200,000 trees and have contributed more than $9.8 million in donated goods and services, volunteer time, and matching funds. For stories from these grantees, and ideas about the projects we fund, take a look at these reports:
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Photo by Tree Musketeers
The 2019 Social Equity Forest Improvement Grant Program is funded by a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), which received money in the 2017-18 State Budget from the California Climate Investments Program to support projects that combat climate change. All funded projects must reduce greenhouse gasses. While there is a focus on supporting projects located in disadvantaged and low-income communities, 65% of the funds will be open to state-wide competition in all communities. Emphasis will be placed on shovel-ready projects.
2019 Social Equity Forest Improvement Grant Proposals are due by Sunday, October 13, 2019.
We will host In-Person Technical Assistance Grant Workshops, dates and locations are TBD.
The webinar posted below was conducted on September 2018 for Cycle I of this grant program. All of the information presented except workshop dates and funding levels is pertinent to Cycle 3.
California ReLeaf is pleased to announce $40,000 in funding for 2020 California Arbor Week to celebrate the value of trees for all Californians. This program is brought to you thanks to the partnership of Edison International, with support from the USDA Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Awards will range from $1,000 to $2,000. Applications are due Monday, February 17, 2020.
To be eligible, projects must be located within the Edison International service area. Click here to see Edison service area in California. For more information about eligibility, please see grant materials below.
Arbor Week Grant Materials: Arbor Week Cycle 2 – Open Statewide Outside Edison Service AreaCalifornia ReLeaf is pleased to announce additional Arbor Week 2020 grant funding for tree planting projects statewide — beyond the Edison International supported Arbor Week Grant program previously announced. The 2020 Arbor Week Grant Cycle 2 is funded by a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the California Climate Investments Program to support projects that combat climate change.
All projects must reduce greenhouse gasses with emphasis on supporting projects located in disadvantaged communities, as defined by CalEnviroScreen 2.0. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations and community benefit groups (with a fiscal sponsor, as appropriate) outside the Southern California Edison Service Area. Organizations awarded funding under CAL FIRE’s “Urban Forest Expansion and Improvement” Grant Program in 2017 or California ReLeaf’s “Forest Improvement” Grant Program in 2018 are ineligible to apply. Awards range from $4,000 to $5,000. Grant payments will be made on a reimbursement basis for actual expenses incurred based on receipts. Applications are due Sunday, March 22, 2020. Program materials:
