Urban Forest Grant
The Urban Forest Grant strengthens Austin’s urban forest by funding stewardship activities like tree planting, tree care, education, and disease control projects.
Why Apply?
Urban trees face different challenges than their rural counterparts. In a city, trees must be cared for, pests managed, and trees planted to support a healthy canopy cover. When you apply for a grant you’re investing time and energy into your community that will benefit you and future generations.
Urban Forest Grant Timeline 2026
- July 2026 – October 2026: Required pre-submittal meetings. All applicants are required to meet for approximately 30 minutes to discuss grant ideas and scope eligibility.
- September 1, 2026: Application opens.
- November 1, 2026: Application submission deadline. Applications due by 11:59 p.m.
- January 2027: Award notifications sent.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants can include:
- Parent-teacher groups
- Academic and private institutions
- Nonprofit organizations
- Community groups
How do I apply?
Before you apply, a pre-submittal meeting is required to discuss project ideas. Contact the Urban Forest Grant Manager by email to schedule a 30-minute meeting. At this meeting, you will discuss your project scope to ensure it is eligible to receive funding.
Applications are submitted online through the Austin Community Foundation online portal. Once an account is created, look for the Urban Forest Grant in the list of available funding opportunities under “Apply”.
Apply for an Urban Forest Grant.
More Grant Details
- Eligible Projects
Eligible projects should:
- Enhance the long-term health of Austin’s urban forest
- Support some or all aspects of the community’s Urban Forest Vision
- Are located on civic property within the full purpose jurisdiction of the City of Austin. Please check the property profile map to determine eligibility.
- Follow City of Austin, federal, and state regulations
- Project Guidelines
Neighborhood Forest Health Assessment (NFHA) (PDF; 234 KB)
- Get Inspired! View Past Projects
View Growing Projects (PDF; 4 MB)
View Caring Projects (PDF; 5.4 MB)
View Informing Projects (PDF; 3 MB)
View Inspiring Projects (PDF; 2.1 MB)
- Project Review
We use Tree Equity Score to review Urban Forest Grant applications. While all Austin neighborhoods are eligible, we prioritize projects in neighborhoods with a Tree Equity Score below 100 because they have not yet reached the 50% tree canopy goal set by the Austin Climate Equity Plan. Please note, a Tree Equity Score of 100 means the neighborhood has met its tree canopy goal, not that it has 100% tree canopy cover.
Check your neighborhood's score, and see our FAQ for instructions on how to use the tool.
Questions?
Have more questions or want help scoping your project? Not sure if it will qualify? Email the grant manager.