N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program: Climb to Managing Community Package - Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Grant

N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program: Climb to Managing Community Package - Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: North Carolina Forest Service
Amount: US $5,600,000
Last Updated: February 26, 2026

Summary

Easily learn more about the N.C. The next deadline for this grant is Mon, 01 Mar 2027.

Overview

Note: The N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program includes the following Financial Assistance Packages: 1) Climb to Tree City USA Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)); 2) Climb to Managing Community Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)); 3) Tree Maintenance and Planting Packages: i) Tree maintenance and planting project (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) and ii) Bad tree bounty project); 4) Professional Staff Development Assistance; 5) N.C. Arbor Day Celebration Assistance; 6) Special Projects: Climb to Tree City USA Services (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))  . Under the Climb to Managing Community Package, a grant will be funded by one of the three funding programs. You will need to select one: Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). N.C. Forest Service - Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program The goal of the North Carolina Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program is to help municipalities reach a level of sustainable U&CF management that matches their goals and capacity. We define urban and community forestry as follows: Urban forestry is defined as the management of the planting, maintenance and protection of tree populations in urban settings to enhance the economic and ecosystem services trees provide to the community. Community forestry is a branch of forestry that engages the community in the completion of urban forestry practices in support of local government, serves broader community needs and works for positive change. When municipalities and partners accomplish urban and community forestry practices and activities in an ordered manner, they enhance the level of management in the community, leading to sustainable program success. We use the accomplishment of six specific standards to measure and classify the development status of a community’s U&CF program into one of four management classifications. This helps a community measure its progress, celebrate accomplishments, and allows us to best serve each community’s individual needs. The Urban and Community Forestry Project Financial Assistance Program is designed to help communities climb this sustainable management hierarchy. The program accomplishes this by providing financial assistance and guidance in the development and completion of U&CF projects comprised of urban and community forestry practices and activities. A Request for Applications (RFA) process is offered several times a year to help you plan and apply for these assistance opportunities. Definitions of the practices, activities and project deliverables can be found in the following document: NCFS U&CF FAP Glossary of Deliverables and Requirements Financial Assistance Program Packages We offer the following packages of specific practices and activities, each designed to help move a community up the management hierarchy or address a specific need. Climb to Tree City USA Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) Climb to Managing Community Package (Consolidated Program Grant (CPG); Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA))Tree Maintenance and Planting Packages: i) Tree maintenance and planting project (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) and ii) Bad tree bounty project);Professional Staff Development Assistance N.C. Arbor Day Celebration Assistance Special Projects: Climb to Tree City USA Services (Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR); and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) Climb to Managing Community Package This assistance package is designed to help municipalities that have achieved Tree City USA standards complete practices and activities to meet the standards to achieve the NCFS U&CF Managing Community designation. The RFA opens in January each year. Funding Program Options A grant will be funded by one of the three funding programs. You will need to select one. (Contact NCFS U&CF program staff for guidance, if needed): Consolidated Program Grant (CPG) Hurricane Helene Recovery (HHR) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 100% of the Tribal government or municipality’s incorporated lands fall within the boundaries of NCFS U&CF Financial Assistance Program Inflation Reduction Act project areas.Cost share %: Reimbursement of 100% of eligible purchased goods and services. Indirect administration – 20% de minimis/total purchased goods and services. $5.6 million of assistance is available for award of all IRA funded RFAs.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible organizations Municipalities and tribal governments that meet all standards for Tree City USA recognition100% of the Tribal government or municipality’s incorporated lands fall within the boundaries of NCFS U&CF Financial Assistance Program Inflation Reduction Act project areas.