Community Trees Grants
Deadline: First week of each month
Green Communities now offers Community Trees Grants, in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, to affordable housing developers to strategically incorporate trees into their site plans. The Home Depot Foundation's Community Trees Program focuses on the remarkable economic, social, and environmental contributions trees make to communities.
The Foundation views trees as an untapped resource that can be used to help cities deal with the pollution of our air and water, cool our city streets, reduce crime, reduce asthma and improve our overall health.
Trees aren't just "nice" things to have, but are an essential component to healthy cities. We often take for granted the power that a simple act of planting a tree can have on the ability to transform a site, a person, and a community.
Why Trees?
When you think of a forest, do you think of a city? Most people don't realize it, but twenty-five percent of our nation's tree canopy is in city parks, along our streets and in our own backyards. Protecting and planting these trees are important ways to improve the quality of life for the 80% of our nation's population that live in our cities.
Eligible Uses
Grant funds will be made available to cover the cost of installation and strategic planning of trees. Such enhancements may include charrettes or assistance with contracting an arborist. Please note: grant funds may not be used to help developers meet tree ordinances or development requirements in the city/county where the project is located. Funds should be used to help set an example of what can be achieved by strategically utilizing trees.
Outcome Installation and Strategic Tree Planning Grants will help developers
* Incorporate trees and landscaping into the housing development plans as part of the infrastructure to control storm-water runoff, create a sense of place, and provide shaded open space.
* Incorporate the strategic use of trees and landscape to provide shade for the house or apartment building and reduce the "heat island" effect created by the absorption of solar energy by the built environment.
Eligible Applicants
Open to 501c3 nonprofits, public housing authorities, tribally designated housing entities; for-profit entities; and for-profit entities participating through joint ventures with qualified organizations.
Target Projects
Projects must be subject to firm site control or evidence that site control is imminent. Applicant must identify whether proposed project site is an occupied or unoccupied property.
Application Process
* Submit Community Trees grant application.
* Receive word that the grant has been approved, denied or approved with conditions. Because funds are limited, Enterprise will reserve the right to negotiate with grant applicants to determine the highest and best use of grants in a specific project.
* Execute a Grant Agreement with Enterprise.
Applicants will be notified by the end of the month of application. Grant disbursements must be requested using the required form (included with grant agreement). Enterprise will advance funds on an exception basis.
For more information, visit Enterprise Green Communities.
