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Neighbourhood Planting Program

Community support for tree planting events

Offered by
City of Toronto
Official source: toronto.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 500
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Grassroots, community-based not-for-profit groups or organizations, incorporated or unincorporated, based in Toronto
See full eligibility

Overview

The Neighbourhood Planting Program supports community-based not-for-profit groups in Toronto that host tree giveaway or planting events on private property. It provides free native trees and shrubs, educational support, and financial assistance of up to $500 for eligible event-related expenses.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$500
Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Train or support volunteers
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Toronto
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Other Racialized Persons
  • Youth (<40)
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Scope
Local

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Latest changes

Neighbourhood Planting Program dates and portal updated

The program page now shows new 2026 application windows, portal guidance, and updated links for Neighbourhood Planting Program and related tree-planting grants.

See more

The Supports for Tree Planting on Private Property page now says applications for the Neighbourhood Planting Program are open until July 9, 2026 and applications for the Urban Forestry Community Grants are open until August 13, 2026. It also now directs applicants to the Toronto Grants, Rebates and Incentives Portal and replaces the older PDF-guidelines-style application wording with updated online submission guidance. The underlying Neighbourhood Planting Program guideline PDFs still describe the same core program, but their titles now appear as Neighbourhood Planting Program rather than Neighbourhood Planting. The spring 2026 guidelines continue to show the same $500 maximum financial assistance and the same private-land, Toronto-based tree planting scope, with updated seasonal timing for April to June 2026 events.

Official source: toronto.ca
July 6, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Grassroots, community-based not-for-profit groups or organizations, incorporated or unincorporated, based in Toronto
  • Groups requesting financial assistance that are incorporated or unincorporated and work with a trustee organization

Who is not eligible

  • Groups outside the City of Toronto
  • Groups without a trustee organization when requesting funding

Eligible expenses

  • Permit fees or rental fees for event location
  • Mulch
  • Promotional materials such as flyers, posters, and signage
  • Health and safety materials for volunteers such as first aid kit, hand sanitizer, high visibility vests, and gloves
  • Event registration platform fee

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Core operating funding or costs related to ongoing programs/services
  • Internal or external salaries or other people-costs
  • Overhead and administrative costs
  • Taxes, including GST and HST for which the recipient is eligible for a tax rebate
  • Contingency costs, capital costs, land purchases, political activities, religious activities/services, advocacy expenses, research projects, fundraising activities, endowments, scholarships, awards, and alcohol purchases

Activities funded

  • Free tree and shrub giveaway events on private properties in Toronto
  • Planting events on privately-owned land in Toronto
  • Resident engagement in tree planting and stewardship on private land

How to apply

  • Applications must be submitted online through the Toronto Grants, Rebate, and Incentives Portal (TGRIP).
  • Applicants should allow time to create an account and organizational profile in TGRIP if they have not done so already.
  • For planting events, groups must contact forestrygrants@toronto.ca prior to submitting an application.
  • For tree giveaway events, groups are responsible for pre-registering participants and allowing adequate time to do so.
  • If requesting financial assistance, applicants must provide an event budget outlining all expenses.

Selection criteria

  • Applications will be evaluated based on concept, feasibility, impact, and budget, if applicable.
  • Additional assessment considerations may include geographic representation across the City of Toronto, locations with low canopy cover or a high need for tree planting and/or stewardship, community impact and equity impacts, and the total availability of plants and financial assistance based on seasonal allotments.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are reviewed and assessed by City of Toronto staff.
  • All applicants are notified of the decision.
  • Successful applicants receive an order form for available native trees and shrubs, which must be completed and returned at least two weeks before the event.
  • Groups must submit a final report through the Toronto Grants, Rebates and Incentives Portal one month after the event date.

Additional information

  • Applications for the Neighbourhood Planting Program are open until July 9, 2026.
  • There are two application periods each year: January for spring events and June for fall events.
  • Applications must be submitted through the Toronto Grants, Rebates and Incentives Portal.
  • Groups interested in hosting a planting event must contact forestrygrants@toronto.ca prior to submitting an application.

Contacts

forestrygrants@toronto.ca
(416) 392-4401

Official sources

Neighbourhood Planting Program (2025)

Official page

Neighbourhood Planting Program

Program guide

Neighbourhood Planting Program (2026)Program guide
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Neighbourhood Planting Program Program

What is the Neighbourhood Planting Program?

The Neighbourhood Planting Program supports community-based not-for-profit groups in Toronto that host tree giveaway or planting events on private property. It provides free native trees and shrubs, educational support, and financial assistance of up to $500 for eligible event-related expenses.

How much funding can be received?

Neighbourhood Planting Program Funds up to $500 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Neighbourhood Planting Program program?

To be eligible for the Neighbourhood Planting Program program, you must: Grassroots, community-based not-for-profit group or organization based in Toronto Annual operating budget under $500,000 At least one year of experience

What expenses are eligible under Neighbourhood Planting Program?

Permit fees or rental fees for event location Mulch Promotional materials such as flyers, posters, and signage Health and safety materials for volunteers such as first aid kit, hand sanitizer, high visibility vests, and gloves Event registration platform fee

Who can I contact for more information about the Neighbourhood Planting Program?

You can contact City of Toronto by email at forestrygrants@toronto.ca or by phone at (416) 392-4401.

Where is the Neighbourhood Planting Program available?

The Neighbourhood Planting Program program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Neighbourhood Planting Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Neighbourhood Planting Program is a Grant and Funding