Tree Equity RI Grant Program

This grant program is designed to focus tree planting efforts in the areas that need it most. Tree Equity Score measures how well the benefits of trees are reaching communities living on low-incomes, communities of color and others disproportionately impacted by extreme heat and other environmental hazards. Applicants will use the Tree Equity Score Analyzer, a map based application developed by American Forests, to develop their planting project proposal.

This grant program is made possible through funding by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The RIDEM Division of Forest Environment (DFE) is responsible for the administration of the grant program and for the distribution of these funds to municipalities, public educational institutions, and non-profit organizations.

Grant Award Amounts

A total of $120,000 in funding is available. Requests for assistance should range between $10,000 and $25,000. 

The Tree Equity RI funds must be matched 75/25 with non-federal funds – for example. a $20,000 grant requires a $5,000 minimum match requirement, for an overall project cost of $25,000. Match may be in the form of cash purchase or in-kind contributions, and all such contributions must come from non-federal sources. Matching funds for this project may not be used as a match for any other federal cost-share project. All matching funds must be specifically related to the proposed project. Documentation of all matching support must be maintained and submitted with reimbursement.

Grant Timeline

• Request for Applications Released: November 22, 2024
• Applications due: January 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM
• Notification Date: February 1, 2025
  • All applicants are notified of the outcome of their grant application. Contracts are developed and sent to successful applicants to be signed and returned within 30 business days.
• Project Start: February/March
  • The anticipated start date, subject to timeliness of returning a signed contract to the UCF Program Manager and the creation of a PO from the Grant Management System. No grant expenditures or grant match may occur before the receipt of the PO.
• Project End: December 31, 2025
  • Contract Period ends. No further work can be carried out for the grant, unless a time extension has been previously approved. Submissions of the Final Accomplishment Report and the Final Request for Reimbursement are due within 30 days of the contract end date (January 31, 2026), or approved time extension deadline.

Applicant Eligibility

• Local Government
• Academic Institutions
• Native American Tribe
• Non Profits
• Schools/School Districts

Questions

For additional information about this program or for assistance in developing a proposal contact the Urban Forestry Staff:
Robert ‘Lou’ Allard, Urban Forestry Program Coordinator
E-mail: robert.e.allard@dem.ri.gov
Phone: 401.537.4067