Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Canadian TREE Fund (CTF)

The Canadian TREE Fund’s mission is to identify key needs related to tree genetics, management and care and to provide funding for innovative arboriculture research and education in Canada. It aims to advance urban forestry, improve tree health and safety, and support training of current and future arborists.

Canadian TREE Fund (CTF) is a Foundation.

Canadian TREE Fund (CTF) was founded in 1995.

Canadian TREE Fund (CTF)'s official website is https://canadiantreefund.org/.

Role of the Canadian TREE Fund in the funding ecosystem

The Canadian TREE Fund (CTF) is a registered charitable organization created in 1995 in affiliation with the Ontario Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Its core purpose is to identify important environmental, biological, social and economic needs related to tree genetics, management and care, and to channel charitable donations into innovative basic and applied research and education projects. Over its first 30 years, the Fund has supported around 100 projects with more than $1,000,000 in funding across Canada.

CTF plays a niche but influential role in supporting arboriculture and urban forestry, from scientific studies on pests, diseases and climate impacts, to community-based projects that build public awareness and stewardship of urban trees. It is one of the few Canadian funders dedicated specifically to arboriculture research, practice and education.

Main grant and bursary programs

• Jack Kimmel Grant – Annual competitive grants for Canadian applicants carrying out arboriculture and urban forestry research or education projects. Eligible projects span topics such as urban forest management, plant health care, tree planting and establishment, root and soil management, risk assessment, worker safety, and public outreach. Funding is flexible, with past awards typically ranging from about $500 to $15,000, and projects may be fully or partially funded.
• Harold Van Dyke Memorial Bursary – A bursary of up to $1,000 per year for students enrolled in Canadian college or university programs in arboriculture, forestry or horticulture. It aims to increase awareness of arboriculture and help promising young professionals enter the field.
• Jerry Micsinszki Arborist Apprenticeship Bursary – A $2,000 bursary for registered arborist apprentices in Canada who are working toward a provincial trade designation. It supports technical training and encourages safe, professional practice.
• Randy Lidkea Scholarship – A scholarship awarded through the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture to a third-year student with top marks in courses aligned with arboriculture principles.

In addition, CTF partners with the international TREE Fund for the Jack Kimmel International Grant Program, which extends support to arboriculture and urban forestry research projects outside Canada.

Supported audiences and typical recipients

CTF funds a broad mix of beneficiaries: university researchers, colleges, non-profit organizations, municipalities, community groups, and individual practitioners or educators in arboriculture. Past Jack Kimmel projects include development of tree selector tools, citizen-pruner and tree steward programs, youth training in urban forestry, climate-change education initiatives, and technical research on pests, diseases and risk management. Bursary and scholarship programs focus on students and apprentices seeking education and credentials in arboriculture, forestry and horticulture.

General evaluation approach and accountability

Applications are assessed for alignment with the TREE Fund’s mission and the potential impact of each grant. Proposals must clearly describe project goals, significance to the arboriculture sector, work plan, budget and applicant expertise. Funded projects are typically required to submit final reports, many of which are publicly available on the website, providing transparency on results and knowledge transfer to the wider industry.

History and impact

Since its founding in 1995, the Canadian TREE Fund has become a key philanthropic vehicle for Canada’s arboriculture community. By pooling donations from individuals, companies and professional associations, it has helped launch and sustain numerous initiatives that improve tree health, expand urban canopy, test new management techniques and train the next generation of arborists. Its long list of funded projects and student bursary recipients illustrates a sustained, nationwide impact on Canada’s urban trees and the professionals who care for them.