Grants
Making funding and grant programs accessible to all, throughout the state
California ReLeaf believes that urban forestry projects should be led by local communities. This isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do: local groups better understand the broader vision of the community that trees are part of, and can build trust and leadership that will steward the trees for generations. California ReLeaf’s grant program increases access to urban forestry funding by providing grants to community groups.
The obligations of direct public funding – such as the high minimum award, greenhouse gas calculations, mapping and reporting requirements – are often prohibitive for small groups. Therefore, we offer smaller minimum award amounts and technical assistance to help make funds accessible and the projects successful. Past grantees have included not just urban forest nonprofits, but also youth organizations, museums, neighborhood associations, social justice organizations, faith-based groups, sustainability initiatives and more. We prioritize projects that demonstrate strong community engagement, and the placement of trees where they will have the best multi-benefit impact in the community.
Open Funding Opportunities
- 2024 California Arbor Week Grant Program Sponsored by Edison International – Applications Due December 8, 2023 at 12 p.m.
- 2024 Growing Green Communities Grant Program Sponsored by Pacific Gas & Electric Company – Applications Due December 8, 2023 at 12 p.m.
If you are a public or private entity who wishes to fund or support urban forestry in California, we’d love to work with you! Contact Cindy Blain, Executive Director
“California ReLeaf truly helps small nonprofits that are formed by citizens who see a need in their community. Many towns and cities across the state don’t receive the attention and funding they deserve. The guidance and grant opportunities ReLeaf provides allows small organizations to carry out the work they need to do. I’m convinced many projects throughout the state would remain undone without ReLeaf’s advocacy and support.”-A Cleaner Greener East Los Angeles, Grantee
“After years of wanting to beautify and add shade to our public spaces, we were pleased to discover a supportive partner in California ReLeaf. With their advice, we were able to do everything from effectively select the best species for our environment to engage different key community leaders. Their responsiveness helped us adapt the project as new opportunities arose. In fact, we were able to expand our project and plant even more trees than we originally anticipated.”-Avenal Historical Society