Mini Urban Trees Grant

The Urban Trees Mini Grant Program is an initiative of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a nonprofit organization that has awarded over $190 million in grants since 1985 to support natural resource restoration throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Trust’s mission is to enhance local environments—rivers, streams, forests, and urban green spaces—through grant-making and capacity-building efforts. This mini grant program is part of Maryland’s broader goal, authorized by the Maryland General Assembly, to plant 5,000,000 native trees by 2031. It specifically focuses on urban, underserved communities, aiming to increase tree canopy, reduce the urban heat island effect, and support public health and environmental resilience in disadvantaged areas. The program funds small-scale tree planting projects in qualifying urban areas across Maryland, particularly those with histories of disinvestment, low median income, high unemployment, or that include public housing. Applicants must ensure that proposed planting sites fall within designated eligible areas as defined by Maryland’s statutory criteria and represented in an online mapping tool. All projects must involve the planting of native trees and commit to a minimum two-year maintenance plan post-installation. Locations such as streetscapes, rights-of-way, vacant lots, and institutional grounds are eligible, provided they are not associated with regulatory mitigation efforts. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, community associations, civic groups, faith-based organizations, municipalities, and schools, among others. Priority is given to organizations based within the target underserved communities. The program does not require matching funds, although applicants are encouraged to leverage outside resources where possible. Each applicant may request up to $10,000 in funding, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis until annual funding is exhausted. Projects must begin no earlier than eight weeks after submission and be completed within 12 months of the award date. Final funding is contingent upon submission of all required documentation. To apply, organizations must use the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s online grant portal. Required submission materials include a narrative response describing the project’s goals, site characteristics, and budget, as well as a detailed financial spreadsheet. Optional but encouraged documents include a planting plan, landowner permissions, partner letters of support, and a signed two-year maintenance plan. These components help reviewers assess the project’s feasibility, community support, and long-term impact. Evaluation criteria focus on alignment with program goals, budget appropriateness (costs should generally fall within $100–$600 per tree), likelihood of successful implementation and maintenance, and visibility of impact to the local community. Awardees must submit final reports, including photos and detailed financial documentation. Organizations that do not comply with reporting or contract requirements may be asked to return funds or may be deemed ineligible for future awards. The program includes additional resources—such as example planting plans, maintenance guidelines, and lists of local contractors—to help applicants plan effective and sustainable projects.