The Community Tree Fund is a collaborative effort between the Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) and the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF). This partnership is dedicated to supporting small-scale tree planting projects in Vermont communities through mini-grants. 

Goals of the 2026 Community Tree Fund

This fund will enable VT UCF to support modest yet impactful initiatives that contribute to the health and vitality of Vermont’s urban and community forests. A total of $5,000 is available in mini-grants ranging from $500-$1,500 for projects that:

• Support small, specialized tree planting projects in public spaces.
• Solicit projects that celebrate community and align with our mission.
• Advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in urban and community forestry.

2026 Eligibility & Project Guidelines

• Municipal governments, public educational institutions, and non-profit organizations may apply.
• Tree planting projects must occur on publicly-accessible sites.
• The tree planting location(s) must be identified in the application.
• Applicants must address who will plant and maintain the tree(s); applicants may indicate in the application that they would welcome assistance from VT UCF staff and VELCO staff in tree planting, as well as project planning and tree selection.
• There is NO cost-share requirement for Community Tree Fund mini-grants.
• Community Tree Fund mini-grants will be awarded on a reimbursement basis only.  Once the project is complete, an invoice for the full amount of the award and based on actual expenses, may be submitted for reimbursement.

Allowable Expenses

Mini-grants ranging from $500 - $1,500 will be awarded. Mini-grant funds may only be used to support the purchase of:

• Trees
• Delivery of trees to the tree planting site
• Mulch for the newly planted trees
• Watering bags/gator bags for the newly planted trees

Mini-grant funds may not be used to fund contracted planting of tree(s). 

Process

• The application form will open on February 25th and will close at 5pm on Friday, March 27th.
• Applications will be reviewed by VELCO and VT UCF staff and applicants will be notified by April 13th.  
• For awarded projects, grant agreements are expected to be in place by May 1st.
• Project Implementation: Funded projects must be completed by October 31st, 2026. 

Application

Applications will be accepted through this form until 5pm on Friday, March 27th.  Note that you cannot save an application in process.  We recommend downloading and using this application worksheet until you are ready to fill out the form entirely and submit.  

APPLICATION FORM

Applications will be considered complete when:

• A completed form application has been submitted.
• An email containing all required attachments as separate PDF documents has been sent to elise.schadler@vermont.gov.  The required attachments are:
  1. Risk Assessment Questionnaire (fillable PDF) - download and save to your computer before editing
  2. Act 154 Certificate of Good Standing (fillable PDF) - download and save to your computer before editing
  3. A Certified of Insurance with the Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation listed as Additional Insured. Grantee Insurance guidance

Questions

For more information about the 2026 Community Tree Fund, contact Elise Schadler at 802.522.6015 or elise.schadler@vermont.gov

Sponsorship

A special thank you to VELCO for their generous donation and partnership, which has made the Community Tree Fund possible. Their support is helping to strengthen Vermont’s urban and community forests across the state.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. To file a discrimination complaint, for questions, free language services, or requests for reasonable accommodations, please contact ANR’s Nondiscrimination Coordinator at ANR.CivilRights@vermont.gov or visit ANR’s online Notice of Nondiscrimination.