Communities Caring for Canopy grants provide seed funding to help communities develop and sustain programs for the advancement of urban and community trees and forests.  These grants allow for multiple program components to be merged into one grant application.

For our 2026 grant round, a total of $40,000 in 1:1 cost-share grants is available, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.  These funds will be distributed through a competitive grant review and selection process. Applications are due on Friday, January 30th, 2026.  

Projects must take place in Vermont and relate to urban and community forestry along municipal rights-of-way and on municipal property, or at public educational institutions.  Projects must consist of one or more of the following program components:  

• Tree planting
• Tree nursery establishment
• Tree maintenance
• Removal of trees that pose a risk to public safety (replanting required)
• Tree inventory
• Planting and management plan development
• Municipal Tree Policy or Ordinance development
• Pest and disease preparedness efforts
• Public outreach
• Staff or tree warden training
• Program development  

Visit our 2026 Communities Caring for Canopy page for more details and access application materials.