Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grant Program

Note from the editor: neighborhood projects qualify for funding! If you and your neighbors are chatting about a project, apply!

The Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grant Program is established to encourage the creation of long-term, sustained canopy cover to improve water quality across the Commonwealth. This grant is used to fund tree-planting efforts that raise public awareness of the benefits of trees and impacts on water quality.

Funding

• The recommended funding range is $1,000 – $50,000.
• Some project match is expected and can include in-kind and volunteer hours.
• Grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis. Under limited circumstances, DOF can directly pay costs for a project. Please reach out to the program contact for more information.
• Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to the estimated planting date and an award must be issued prior to beginning the project or incurring project expenses.

Project Categories

Projects may include but are not limited to the following:

• Riparian Buffers
• Community or Street Tree Plantings
• Neighborhood-wide Projects
• Turf-to-Trees
• Tree Giveaways

We do fund:

• Fees charged by private contractors and/or consultants.
• Purchase of essential supplies and materials.
• Purchase and planting of trees (2 inches in caliper or less) and shrubs.
• Maintenance expenses, including watering, are eligible for reimbursement during the grant period.
  • DOF cannot reimburse until after all deliverables and activities have been completed.
  • Maintenance costs will be ineligible if submitted outside of the approved grant period.
• Costs associated with site preparation and soil amendments.

We don’t fund:

• Purchase of machinery or equipment.
• Construction of any kind (e.g., sidewalks or roads).
• Purchase of food, snacks, or beverages.
• Purchase of land or land charges.
• Purchase of plant material classified as invasive species.
• Purchase and planting of ash species (Fraxinus sp.) due to the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).
• Costs that are not incurred during the grant award period.
• Costs not approved by the urban and community forestry program manager during the award phase or modification.
• Purchase and planting of vines or non-woody plants.

Who is Eligible

Grants may be awarded to civic groups, communities, local government, non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, public educational institutions, state agencies, tribal organizations, and volunteer groups.

To Apply

Applications are accepted via the Forestry Grants System Access Portal.

• Use the help guide provided in the Resource Library below for registering for an account and submitting an application.
• Local DOF staff must review the project prior to proposal submission. The local DOF forester should provide a letter of recommendation for the project directly to the U&CF program manager prior to proposal submission.
• Projects must include community outreach and engagement components.