THE SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE URBAN FOREST IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM

Urban forests are essential for the health and well-being of communities, yet they face significant challenges from urban development, climate change, pests, and diseases. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard is a comprehensive framework aimed at promoting sustainable forest management within urban areas. The standard helps ensure that environmental, social, and economic factors are balanced to maintain the long-term health and resilience of urban forests.

• View the instructions and learn more about the selection criteria
• Apply for an SFI Urban Forest Improvement Grant

Program Funding

The Urban Forest Improvement Program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, provides grants to help organizations benchmark their urban or community forests against the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. nd the grant recipient will contract with a Certification Body to conduct an assessment of its readiness for a certification audit.

An organization will engage a Certification Body that is accredited to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard or to the SFI Forest Management Standard and seeking expansion to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard to conduct an assessment of its readiness for the initial certification audit. This assessment reviews the standard’s requirements and determines whether the organization has the necessary procedures and processes to comply. The report will highlight whether the organization has sufficient evidence to proceed with the certification audit or if additional preparation is needed.

These grants support the assessment of current management practices, offering valuable insights into how sustainably these forests are managed, as well as a roadmap of opportunities for improvement.

How the Grant Program Works

Organizations applying for the grant will:

• Use SFI’s performance indicators to assess the sustainability of their urban forest management practices
• Complete an assessment survey to document progress on each indicator, which may be done internally or with the help of a consultant
• An organization will engage a Certification Body that is accredited to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard or to the SFI Forest Management Standard and seeking expansion to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard to conduct an assessment of its readiness for the initial certification audit.
• Submit a detailed final report to SFI evaluating the objectives and indicators, along with evidence to support their findings.
  • Reference the guidance document for additional information and examples

Deliverables

Grantees are required to:

1. 1. Submit a completed assessment document for the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard Objectives (Objective 16 is optional) within 12 months
   2. Provide progress updates through quarterly check-ins and biannual reports detailing objectives achieved and challenges encountered
   3. An assessment of its readiness for the initial certification audit from a certification body
   4. Participate in an exit interview to discuss insights gained from the assessment process

Eligibility

Eligible organizations include municipalities, universities, non-profit organizations, or Indigenous communities and Tribes actively managing urban or community forests within the United States. Priority will be given to cities or communities serving disadvantaged communities, particularly areas identified by the EPA’s Environmental Justice Screening Tool.

Funding Details

Grants range from $15,000 to $75,000 and may cover personnel, supplies, contracts, and hire a certification body to perform readiness assessment. A detailed budget justification is required, along with an outline of how the requested funds will support project goals.

Application Process and Timeline

The application process is open on a rolling basis until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on January 30, 2025; additional applications may be taken after the deadline based on funding availability. Once submitted, applications will be reviewed within 45 days, with notification sent via email. Learn more in the supplemental instructions.

In need of additional assistance?

Please contact:

Michael Martini, SFI Director of Urban and Community Forestry in the United States

Paul Johnson, VP, Urban and Community Forestry and Career Pathways