Closed
Source verified May 6, 2026
Growing Canada's Community Canopies
Funding for urban forestry and tree planting projects
Offered by
Latest source updateLast Update: June 13, 2026Latest change: The program pages were updated with revised application guidance, timing details, and portal support information.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 13, 2026
Latest change: The program pages were updated with revised application guidance, timing details, and portal support information.
Growing Canada’s Community Canopies updated
Growing Canada’s Community Canopies now shows updated application guidance, including revised supporting-document wording and Appendix B clarifications for some applicants; the application guide is marked Last updated: January 2026. Timing details are also updated: tree planting funding is available until June 16, 2026, and urban forestry plans and studies note that pre-applications are no longer accepted while full applications can still be submitted through the portal until April 15, 2026. Portal support and onboarding guidance were also changed, with the re-registration notice and technical support email removed, so applicants should review the current portal instructions before starting.
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 175,000
Deadline
June 16, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides up to $10 million for tree planting projects and up to $175,000 for urban forestry plans and studies. It supports strategic planting, urban forest planning, community engagement, and related activities that strengthen canopy growth and long-term forest management.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 175,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Tree planting projects in communities
- Urban forest strategy and planning projects
- Tree planting strategy and master planning
- Urban forestry policy and guideline development
- Urban forest assessments and analyses
Documents Needed
- Pre-application form
- Full application form
- Project workbook
- Planting plan or equivalent
- Letters from confirmed funding sources
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian municipal governments
- Municipal corporations
- Regional organizations delivering municipal services
- Indigenous communities and organizations
- Registered Canadian not-for-profit organizations
- Registered Canadian for-profit organizations
Who is not eligible
- Homeowners
- Federal government entities
- Provincial and territorial government entities
- Academic institutions as lead applicants for urban forestry plans and studies
Eligible expenses
- Application preparation costs, up to the stated cap
- Professional and technical consultant fees
- Staff time directly tied to the project
- Project-specific materials, supplies, and software
- Travel, meetings, and public engagement costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before the allowed pre-application period
- General overhead and regular business expenses
- Promotional items and general publicity
- Real property purchases
- In-kind contributions and donated goods or services
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Quebec municipalities have a separate application process for some streams
Selection criteria
- Project methodology and overall approach
- Strength of the engagement strategy
- Alignment with community and sustainability objectives
- Socio-economic benefits
- Climate resilience, biodiversity, and implementation capacity
How to apply
- Step 1: Readiness check
- Complete the readiness check on the funding webpage.
- Step 2: Pre-application
- Obtain the pre-application form in FCM’s funding portal.
- Complete and submit the pre-application through the portal.
- Step 3: Eligibility review
- GMF reviews the pre-application and determines if the project can proceed.
- Step 4: Full application
- Complete the full application form and project workbook.
- Upload required supporting documents in the portal.
- Submit the full application through FCM’s funding portal.
- Step 5: Decision
- GMF reviews the full file and makes a funding recommendation.
- FCM’s Board of Directors issues the final decision.
Processing and Agreement
- Pre-applications are reviewed by GMF for eligibility.
- Eligible applications move to a full application stage through the funding portal.
- Full applications are reviewed for accuracy and completeness by a GMF project officer.
- External peer review and internal analysis lead to a funding recommendation.
- Final approval is made by FCM’s Board of Directors.
Additional information
- Free urban forestry coaching is available through Tree Canada.
- Applicants may use GMF guides and templates to support planning.
- Quebec municipalities have a separate application process.
- For approved projects, reporting is required after completion.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Growing Canada's Community Canopies Program
What is the Growing Canada's Community Canopies?
This program provides up to $10 million for tree planting projects and up to $175,000 for urban forestry plans and studies. It supports strategic planting, urban forest planning, community engagement, and related activities that strengthen canopy growth and long-term forest management.
How much funding can be received?
Growing Canada's Community Canopies Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $175,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Growing Canada's Community Canopies program?
To be eligible for the Growing Canada's Community Canopies program, you must:
Focus on community forests or trees.
Supports future tree planting.
Includes measurable implementation.
What expenses are eligible under Growing Canada's Community Canopies?
Tree planting projects in communities
Urban forest strategy and planning projects
Tree planting strategy and master planning
Urban forestry policy and guideline development
Urban forest assessments and analyses
Who can I contact for more information about the Growing Canada's Community Canopies?
You can contact Green Municipal Fund (GMF) by email at gmfinfo@fcm.ca or by phone at 1-877-417-0550.
Where is the Growing Canada's Community Canopies available?
The Growing Canada's Community Canopies program is available across Canada.
Is the Growing Canada's Community Canopies a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Growing Canada's Community Canopies is a Partnering and Collaboration