2024 Grant Opportunities
1. Introduction
The USDA Forest Service (USFS) and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, Community Forestry Program (CFP), have Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grant monies available to local governments, state agencies, tribal organizations, non-profits, public universities, and other non-federal entities for projects in disadvantaged or distressed Alaska communities.
No match funding is required. A total of $600,000 is available in the following categories:
- Green Infrastructure Projects
- Streambank Stability/Restoration Projects
- Invasive Tree Control Projects
- Phytoremediation Projects
- Community Forestry Management Plans, Tree Inventories, Tree Canopy Assessments
2. Requirements
2.1 Disadvantaged Community Requirement
Under USFS or state guidelines, projects funded through this opportunity must take place in communities that qualify as "disadvantaged" or "distressed" according to the U.S. Government Council of Environmental Quality Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool, the Denali Commission 2020 Distressed Communities Report, or the EPA IRA Disadvantaged Communities map.
- Explore the map - Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool (geoplatform.gov)
- Denali Commission 2020 Distressed Communities Report
- EPA IRA Disadvantaged Communities
Virtually all Alaska communities off the road system are classified as disadvantaged. All federally recognized Tribes, including Alaska Native villages, are designated as disadvantaged although they may not be within census tracts that are designated as such.
If you are unsure if a project in your community falls within a disadvantaged or distressed area, please contact our office.
2.2 Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible groups include all non-federal organizations, state agencies, local governments, cooperative weed management areas, soil and water conservation districts, registered non-profits, local communities, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Alaska Native organizations, federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations and villages, and Tribal organizations as defined in 25 USC 5304 (l).
- Eligible applicants may apply for funding for projects conducted on non-federal public lands, including state lands, university lands, borough lands, local government and municipal lands, Tribal/Alaska Native Corporation lands, and land held in trust for Native American Tribes and individuals (includes Trust lands).
- Projects or activities on private property are permitted upon meeting specific requirements. If you are considering a project on private property, please contact CFP for details.
- Awardees will be responsible for submitting a mid-project report and final report.
- Awardees will be required to provide a Universal Entity Identifier (UEI) system number. Instructions on how to find your organization's UEI, or register for a new UEI can be found at sam.gov/content/duns-uei
3. How to apply
Grant application materials are available on the Alaska Community Forestry Program webpage.
4. Deadlines
Applications for the following programs are due by April 11, 2024
- Green Infrastructure Projects
- Streambank Stability/Restoration Projects
- Invasive Tree Control Projects
- Phytoremediation Projects
- Community Forestry Management Plans, Tree Inventories, Tree Canopy Assessments
5. Contact
Mail or deliver proposal to:
Alaska Community Forestry Program
550 W. 7th Ave. Ste 1450
Anchorage, AK 99501
Email proposal to:
CommunityForestry@alaska.gov
For additional information contact:
Jim Renkert, Community Forestry Program Coord.
Jim.Renkert@alaska.gov
907-269-8465
Josh Hightower, Community Assistance Forester
Josh.Hightower@alaska.gov
907-269-8466
- Budget Form (Excel)
- Community Forest Management Plan Instructions (PDF)
- Green Infrastructure Grant Instructions (PDF)
- Invasive Tree Control Grant Instructions (PDF)
- IRA Grant Application (Word)
- IRA Grant Application (PDF)
- Phytoremediation Instructions (PDF)
- Request For Interest Community Forest Management Plan (Word)
- Request For Interest Community Forest Management Plan (PDF)
- Request For Interest Phytoremediation (Word)
- Request For Interest Phytoremediation (PDF)
- Streambank Restoration Instructions (PDF)
Alaska Community Forest Council Arbor Day grants
The Alaska Community Forest Council mission is to promote the benefits of local trees and forests to improve Alaska communities. The Council has grants available to government agencies and non-profit organizations to help celebrate Arbor Day in Alaska. This year, Arbor Day will be celebrated on May 20.
Grants are intended to help meet this goal by funding projects that:
- Generate awareness of and participation in Arbor Day (officially May 20, 2024);
- Increase public awareness of the benefits of trees and forests and build support for planting and caring for public trees;
- Provide a public demonstration of the benefits of trees and/or proper tree selection, planting, and care;
- Use trees to solve community problems. Examples include: reduce or treat stormwater, create wind breaks or living snow fences, restore streams or rivers, plant fruit trees to provide healthy food, screen surfaces prone to graffiti, calm traffic, and beautify your schoolyard.
Requirements
- Applicant must be a government entity or nonprofit organization with IRS 501(C)3 status.
- Applicants may apply for a grant of from $200 to $500. Approximately $3,000 is available for grants.
- Grant funds may not be used for wages or benefits.
- If trees and shrubs are planted with grant funds, follow practices described in Plant a Tree:
Alaska's Guide to Tree Selection, Planting, & Care. See link below.
Trees must:- Have a three-year, budgeted maintenance plan.
- Be of high quality, appropriate for the site, and meet the American Standard for Nursery Stock 2014. https://www.americanhort.org/page/standards
- If you would like help writing specifications to ensure that you receive trees in excellent condition and form, please contact us.
- Donations for Arbor Day Grants were provided to the Council from the Society of American Foresters Cook Inlet and Yukon River chapters and Paul's Tree Service. Any media (print, online etc.) or public event produced in association with this grant shall recognize the support of the Alaska Community Forest Council.
Proposal
Complete an application (http://forestry.alaska.gov/community/council) Be creative and find ways to reach a large audience in your community.
Selection Criteria
- Quality, clarity and organization of project and budget.
- Extent to which project generates awareness of and participation in Arbor Day.
- Extent to which project increases public awareness of the benefits of trees and forests and builds support for planting and caring for public trees.
- Extent to which project demonstrates the benefits of trees and/or proper tree selection, planting, and care.
- Project's benefits to the community and its ability to solve a problem or meet a need.
Application Process
Complete the two-page application (link below). Application are accepted year round and are reviewed quarterly beginning in March. The Alaska Community Forest Council and Community Forestry staff will review applications and grant awards will be announced after each of our quarterly meetings. Upon approval of the proposal, the council and grantee will sign a grant agreement.
For more information or assistance
Please call if you need help preparing your proposal. We can provide information to help you design a successful project, including Plant a Tree: Alaska's Guide to Tree Selection, Planting, and Care, online
at http://forestry.alaska.gov/Assets/pdfs/community/publications/plant a tree web.pdf
Information and publications are also available
at http://forestry.alaska.gov/community/publications.
Alex Wenninger 907-786-6309 akwenninger@alaska.edu
E-mail (preferred), mail, or deliver proposal to:
Alex Wenninger, council member, at akwenninger@alaska.edu or
Alaska Community Forest Council PO Box 241282
Anchorage, AK 99524
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