Urban and Community Forestry Program

The Urban and Community Forestry Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is the only Federal program dedicated to growing and maintaining urban and community trees, forests, and green spaces. Authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Urban Forestry assists States and partner organizations in applying nature-based solutions to chronic and emergent economic, social, and environmental challenges.

CFVI will issue a variety of funding opportunities.

Project Categories and Eligible Activities

The Urban and Community Forestry Program authorizes funding for a broad range of activities, such as tree planting and protection, urban food forests, value added forestry products, and workforce development. Applicants are encouraged to think comprehensively about their needs in creating project proposal(s).  Various grant opportunities will be available for the following project areas:

1. Native, Medicinal, and Fruit Tree Seedling Collection, Planting, Protection, Maintenance & Removal
2. Development of Value-added Forestry Products 
3. Food Forest Conservation & Stewardship 
4. Tree planting in the Virgin Islands (Native Forest, fruits, and medicinal trees)
5. VI Department of Correction Horticulture Program Agroforestry Expansion  

CFVI will also support the following programs through noncompetitive contracts:

• training for arborists, linemen, and tree climbing
• pest and disease management, education, and training

Application Information Sessions

CFVI will host information sessions for each grant opportunity. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend training sessions. Individual sessions will be listed on the corresponding Request for Proposals documents.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be an eligible applicant operating in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Demonstrate experience or capacity to conduct proposed project activities.
• Demonstrate the ability to comply with grant reporting and compliance requirements.

Eligible Applicants: Any of the groups listed below with demonstrated technical expertise in horticulture, forestry, agroforestry, or community education.

• State or local governmental agencies
• U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, in good standing with the Internal Revenue?Service (check your organization’s IRS status here)
• Accredited institutions of higher education
• Fiscally sponsored groups (fiscal sponsor must be a 501c3)

Individuals, private businesses, and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply but may partner with or receive assistance through proposals submitted by an eligible organization.

All applicants must be registered in SAM.gov, have a UEI number, are subject to the OMB guidance in subparts A through F of 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), and must follow the regulations found in 2 CFR 200.331 through .333.

How to Apply

Current Funding Available

CFVI plans to open the first Requests for Proposals in April 2026. Check back here for more information.