Urban forestry plans and studies

• Evidence of municipal support (e.g., council resolution or letter of support)
• Municipal council resolution confirming municipal partnership (for non-municipal applicants)
• Articles of incorporation (for non-municipal applicants)
• Project team resumés (or documents listing qualifications)
• Letters from each confirmed source of funding

• The applicant must be an eligible organization under GMF rules (municipal government or an eligible partner applying with a municipal government).
• The plan or study must primarily focus on forests and trees within the community.
• The plan or study must contribute to future tree planting initiatives in the community.
• The plan or study must include a clear approach to implement results and achieve measurable changes.
• The plan or study must be undertaken and completed within the next two years.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian municipal governments
• Municipal corporations (when applying in partnership with municipal governments)
• Regional, provincial or territorial organizations delivering municipal services (when applying in partnership with municipal governments)
• Indigenous communities or organizations (including when applying in partnership with municipal governments)
• Not-for-profit organizations registered in Canada (when applying in partnership with municipal governments)

Who is not eligible

• For-profit organizations (not eligible as lead applicants)
• Academic institutions (not eligible as lead applicants)

Eligible expenses

• Application writing costs (up to $5,000) incurred up to 90 days before FCM receives the application
• Project administration costs directly linked to the project (e.g., permits/approvals, outside printing/photocopying, document translation)
• Public communication and engagement costs (e.g., website development, public surveys, media distribution)
• Professional and technical consultant/contractor fees
• Project staff remuneration for time worked in Canada (direct salaries and eligible benefits), plus project supplies/materials, shipping/courier, travel/accommodation (per Treasury Board rates), and non-rebatable taxes

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Stakeholder engagement or research costs incurred before FCM receives the application (other than eligible application-writing costs up to 90 days prior)
• Office space, supplies, and general overhead costs
• Promotional items and general publicity/education advertising not required for the project
• Legal fees
• Hospitality costs (e.g., food/drinks outside cultural protocol, alcohol, entertainment, door prizes)

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• Overall project approach and methodology (20%)
• Engagement strategy (15%)
• Connection to community and sustainability objectives (10%)
• Increasing capacity for future tree planting (15%)
• Socio-economic benefits (10%)

• Step 1: Readiness check
  • Complete the online readiness check to confirm fit and learn next steps.
• Step 2: Pre-application submission
  • Download and review the application guide.
  • Create a client profile in FCM’s funding portal.
  • Obtain and submit the pre-application form through the funding portal.
• Step 3: Eligibility determination
  • A GMF representative reviews the pre-application and confirms whether you can proceed.
• Step 4: Full application submission
  • Access the full application form in FCM’s funding portal (when invited).
  • Complete the project workbook and gather required supporting documents (per the application guide).
  • Submit the full application, project workbook, and supporting documents through the funding portal.

• A GMF representative reviews the pre-application and determines eligibility (response expected within five business days of receipt).
• If eligible, the applicant is invited to submit a full application through FCM’s funding portal (eligibility does not guarantee approval).
• After full submission, a GMF project officer reviews the application for accuracy and completeness and works with the applicant to resolve questions.
• An external peer review and internal analysis are conducted, leading to a funding recommendation.
• FCM’s Board of Directors makes the final funding decision for plans and studies.

• Applications are accepted and approved on a rolling basis until April 15, 2026, or until funding is fully subscribed.
• Municipalities can receive funding for only one Urban forestry plan or study.
• Free urban forestry coaching is available through GMF’s partnership with Tree Canada.
• Applicants must keep financial accounts and records for at least seven years (FCM may audit expenses).