Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Maple Leaves Forever Foundation (MLF)

Maple Leaves Forever Foundation (MLF) is a Canadian charitable foundation focused on conserving and restoring native Canadian maple trees, with a strong emphasis on rural southern Ontario. Created by founder Ken Jewett, the foundation works to reverse the decline of native maple-lined roadsides by combining financial incentives, technical information and strategic partnerships. Its flagship Maple Tree Rebate program provides a 25% reimbursement on eligible purchases of native maple trees from approved nursery partners for planting along rural roadsides, laneways, property boundaries and hedgerows.

Beyond its core rebate, MLF supports the broader tree-planting and environmental education ecosystem through sponsorships and donations to programs such as the Ontario Envirothon, Trees for Life’s Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, the Canadian Tree Nursery Association and the One Bench One Tree initiative. These contributions help build capacity for climate-resilient forestry, community greening projects and youth environmental leadership.

MLF primarily serves rural landowners in Ontario who wish to plant native maples, but its influence extends to municipalities, conservation authorities, nurseries, landscapers and environmental organizations. Landowners can apply for the rebate as long as their projects meet clear eligibility criteria, including minimum tree size, planting density and the use of recognized native maple species purchased from participating nurseries.

The foundation also engages municipalities and planting agencies across Ontario and Canada, encouraging them to adopt resolutions committing to plant native maples whenever a maple is called for in public projects. Organizations that make this commitment are highlighted on the Community Honour Roll, illustrating MLF’s role in shaping planting policies as well as funding projects.

The Maple Tree Rebate program operates on an application-and-approval basis. Applicants submit their plans before ordering trees, and MLF assesses eligibility based on planting location, quantity, tree size and species, as well as source nurseries. Successful applicants receive written confirmation, purchase and plant their trees, then submit proof of purchase and photos. Once requirements are met, MLF reimburses 25% of the tree purchase price directly to the landowner via cheque.

While detailed scoring rubrics are not published, the guidelines emphasize proper use of native species, appropriate spacing, and adherence to deadlines. MLF reserves discretion to approve or decline applications and to reassess projects if plans change, ensuring funds are directed toward projects that genuinely support the long-term presence of native maple trees in the landscape.

Ken Jewett founded Maple Leaves Forever in 1997 after observing the decline of maple-lined rural roads in Ontario and formally established the foundation in 2000. Since then, MLF has helped plant more than one hundred thousand native maples, equivalent to over a thousand kilometres of maple-lined roadsides. The foundation has evolved from a personal vision into a structured charity with a clear strategic plan, a network of certified nursery partners and a growing portfolio of sponsorships and partnerships.

Today, MLF continues to combine financial incentives, education on planting and maple care, and advocacy for native species in public and private projects. Its work helps maintain maple trees as a symbol of Canadian identity while delivering concrete environmental benefits such as habitat creation, erosion control and climate resilience.