Open
Source verified August 11, 2026
Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies
Supports urban forestry plans and studies
Offered by
Latest source updateLast Update: March 27, 2026Latest change: Pre-applications are now closed; new formal application process with seven steps added; interactive readiness check removed from the page.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: March 27, 2026
Latest change: Pre-applications are now closed; new formal application process with seven steps added; interactive readiness check removed from the page.
Urban forestry plans and studies: Application process updates
GMF has closed pre-applications for the Urban forestry plans and studies funding. Those who have already submitted a pre-application can still submit a full application through the portal until April 15, 2026. The interactive readiness check questionnaire, which previously allowed applicants to self-assess their eligibility through five questions with conditional outcomes, has been removed from the page. A new formal Application process section has been added outlining seven steps from readiness check through funding decision, along with a new How to apply section providing nine numbered steps. An urban forestry coaching option is now referenced for applicants seeking support. FCM Connect signup is promoted for those wishing to be notified of future funding opportunities. The funding amounts (up to 80%, maximum $175,000) and eligibility criteria remain unchanged.
Funding available
$ 175,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened August 11, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Canadian municipal governments, including municipalities, cities, regions, districts and local councils, applying alone or jointly with other eligible municipal governments
See full eligibility
Overview
Growing Canada’s Community Canopies – Urban Forestry Plans and Studies offers up to 80 percent of eligible costs, to a maximum grant amount of $175,000, for Canadian municipal governments and eligible partners. It supports urban forest strategies, tree planting plans, urban forestry policies, community engagement plans, and urban forest assessments.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 175,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Develop or update an urban forest strategy, management plan, operational plan, or asset management plan
- Create a tree planting strategy, framework, or tree planting master plan
- Develop urban forestry policies, bylaws, or technical guidelines/manuals/standards
- Create an urban forestry community engagement, education, partnership, or capacity-building strategy
- Conduct urban forest assessments and analyses (e.g., tree inventory, canopy/land cover analysis, planting site inventory, vulnerability assessment, planting prioritization study)
Documents Needed
- Completed application form.
- Completed project workbook, including budget and workplan.
- Letters from each confirmed source of funding specifying the amount of cash and/or the value of any staff time or in-kind contributions to the project.
- Evidence of municipal support, such as a council resolution or letter of support signed by the mayor, CAO or designated authority on behalf of council.
- Depending on applicant type, additional required documents may include a municipal council resolution confirming municipal partnership, CEO or CFO confirmation of organizational support, articles of incorporation, the last three consecutive audited financial statements or accepted alternatives, project team resumés, letters of support from project partners, or a shared service agreement with a Canadian municipality.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian municipal governments, including municipalities, cities, regions, districts and local councils, applying alone or jointly with other eligible municipal governments
- Municipal corporations applying jointly with municipal governments
- Regional, provincial or territorial organizations delivering municipal services, applying jointly with municipal governments
- Indigenous communities and organizations applying jointly with municipal governments; Indigenous communities may also apply if they have municipal status or a shared service agreement with a Canadian municipality related to municipal infrastructure, climate change or adaptation
- Registered not-for-profit organizations in Canada, such as charities, volunteer organizations and community, professional, industrial or other associations, applying jointly 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
- Plans or studies that focus on broader environmental or ecosystem issues rather than urban forests or trees within the community.
- Biodiversity plans that address multiple ecosystems.
- Natural asset management plans that cover natural assets beyond urban forestry.
- General sustainability or green infrastructure plans where the focus is broader than trees or urban forests.
- Plans or studies focused solely on research without a clear path to implementation, theoretical plans without specific actions, or projects without a strategy to achieve measurable, long-term outcomes.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Overall project approach and methodology (20%)
- Engagement strategy (15%)
- Increasing capacity for future tree planting (15%)
- Connection to community and sustainability objectives, socio-economic benefits, community resilience to climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem health, and Reconciliation, anti-racism, equity and inclusion (10% each)
- Team and partners, likelihood of implementation, measuring and monitoring, risk management, workplan, and budget are assessed on a pass/fail basis
How to apply
- Complete the readiness check on the funding webpage to assess whether your project may be eligible and to learn about the application process.
- Obtain the pre-application form through FCM’s funding portal, create a client profile, complete the form and submit it through the portal.
- If you are a municipality or municipal corporation in Quebec, have the pre-application submitted and approved by Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH).
- If your organization and project are deemed eligible, complete the full application form and project workbook.
- Attach the required supporting documents and submit the full application package through FCM’s funding portal.
Processing and Agreement
- 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.
Additional information
- Free urban forestry coaching is available at key project phases, including ideation, application submission and project implementation.
- Applicants interested in coaching are matched by Tree Canada based on location, language, project type and availability.
- Any product, data or information that may include Indigenous knowledge may be submitted at the discretion of the applicant.
- Additional supporting documents may be requested, and applicants may provide further evidence as it becomes available.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies Program
What is the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies?
Growing Canada’s Community Canopies – Urban Forestry Plans and Studies offers up to 80 percent of eligible costs, to a maximum grant amount of $175,000, for Canadian municipal governments and eligible partners. It supports urban forest strategies, tree planting plans, urban forestry policies, community engagement plans, and urban forest assessments.
How much funding can be received?
Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $175,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies program?
To be eligible for the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies program, you must:
The lead applicant must be a municipal government, or a non-municipal applicant partnering with one.
The plan or study must focus on forests or trees within the community and contribute to future tree planting initiatives.
The project must include a clear implementation plan for measurable changes and be completed within two years of receiving funding approval.
What expenses are eligible under Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies?
Develop or update an urban forest strategy, management plan, operational plan, or asset management plan
Create a tree planting strategy, framework, or tree planting master plan
Develop urban forestry policies, bylaws, or technical guidelines/manuals/standards
Create an urban forestry community engagement, education, partnership, or capacity-building strategy
Conduct urban forest assessments and analyses (e.g., tree inventory, canopy/land cover analysis, planting site inventory, vulnerability assessment, planting prioritization study)
Who can I contact for more information about the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies?
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 - Urban forestry plans and studies available?
The Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies program is available across Canada.
Is the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Growing Canada’s Community Canopies - Urban forestry plans and studies is a Grant and Funding