Is your organization looking for funding for a tree planting project?

Friday, December 10

The Mile High Million (MHM) has partnered with the Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) to enhance the current CTC grant program by $95,000 for the year 2011. This partnership enables the CTC to grant more funds and the MHM to reach its goal of planting one million new trees in Metro Denver. Ten grants will be awarded in 2011: 7 for $5,000, 2 for $10,000 and 2 for $20,000.

Grant eligibility:

• Municipal governments, counties, metropolitan districts, park districts, school districts and tree-focused nonprofits within the member communities of the Metro Mayors Caucus are eligible. The applicant must also submit the number of trees planted within their jurisdiction since 2007 or have current numbers on file with MHM.

Grant restrictions:

• Proposed project may not be installed by contractors.
• Proposed project must use at least 85% of the grant for purchase of trees.
• The $20,000 grant must be for a volunteer planting event. 
• Grant recipients are required to brand awarded project as a MHM/CTC funded project with using a provided PR/marketing toolkit.
• All trees must be purchased through the MHM. This allows for lower negotiated wholesale pricing. If species and/or sizes are not listed they can still be acquired but no price is available at this time and will be negotiated after the grant is awarded.

Grant preference points will be awarded to:

• Projects that use trees to shade impervious paved surfaces.
• Projects that use trees to strategically shade structures for energy efficiency.
• Projects that actively pursue the selection of tree species with positive air quality benefits.
• Projects that engage community volunteers.
• Projects that partner with community groups.
• Projects that utilize container stock or smaller caliper stock to reduce establishment time and make the grant funds go further.

Grant Process:

• Preliminary submission of a one-page Grant Proposal Form (due December 10, 2010)

Form requires a brief description of the proposed project.  Selected proposals will be invited to complete a Grant Application Form (due January 31, 2010)
Form requires the following:

• one-page description of the proposed project
• project site map 
• project budget
• establishment plan
• maintenance plan

If you have questions or to receive a copy of the Grant Proposal Form please contact million.trees@denvergov.org .