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Growing Canada's Community Canopies

Funding for urban forestry and tree planting projects

Offered by
Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 10,000,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Canadian municipal governments
See full eligibility

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.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$10,000,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Enhance an existing program
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
All legal structures

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Latest changes

CCCC application guidance and portal updates

The CCCC page set now shows revised application guidance and a changed portal contact area, with some resource documents updated or retitled.

See more

The CCCC content now shows updated application guidance for tree-planting materials, including revised required documents and clearer instructions for some applicant groups. The portal support area also changed, with the technical contact email and help-link content no longer displayed.

Official source: media.fcm.ca
June 13, 2026

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

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

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.

Documents Needed

  • Pre-application form
  • Full application form
  • Project workbook
  • Planting plan or equivalent
  • Letters from confirmed funding sources

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

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

  • Tree Canada provides free technical coaching through the GCCC initiative.
  • The coaching offers tailored support and technical advice to applicants and funding recipients during project implementation.
  • It is especially useful for small rural municipalities with limited internal urban forestry capacity.
  • It also supports large municipalities that want an external technical perspective to strengthen project quality and best practices.

Contacts

gmfinfo@fcm.ca
1-877-417-0550
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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 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000,000 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?

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

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 Grant and Funding