MONTANA URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY ASSOCIATION

'Continuum of Tree Care' Small Grants Announcement'

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The Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association (MUCFA) Small Grants Program, funded through the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) under the Montana Forest Action Plan, supports small, rural Montana communities in strengthening the health and resilience of their urban forest. This program aligns with key objectives of the Montana Forest Action Plan:

   1. Increase the health and resilience of urban trees

   2.Expand urban tree canopy

   3. Mitigate the financial impact of emerald ash borer (EAB) by supporting proactive management strategies.

 

Our grant programs aim to meet each community where they are at in a continuum of community tree care. Our grants provide funding for essential tree management practices such as:

• Establishing or rejuvenating a tree board

• Writing or updating a tree ordinance

• Conducting a tree inventory or updating existing inventory

• Keeping the inventory up to date

• Using the inventory to develop a tree care and maintenance plan

• Help implementing the plan

• Large tree pruning

• Hazard tree removals and replacement​

Communities are required to provide matching funds unless they demonstrate a compelling need for exception. Additionally, the program helps build local capacity through training and workforce development for municipal staff, tree board members, and community volunteers to ensure continued urban forest management.​

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Grant Management

MUCFA will directly manage grant funds by covering contractor and operational expenses on behalf of awarded communities. Funds will not be distributed to communities, instead, MUCFA will handle payments to reduce the administrative and financial burden on communities. However, communities are encouraged to contribute matching funds, including personnel time or volunteer labor, to enhance project impact and demonstrate local investment in its success.

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Grant Timeline

• April 22: Call for Applications

• May 31: Application Deadline

• June 1 - June 15: Award Notification & Grant Agreements

• June 15  2025 - June 15, 2026: grant Implementation

• July 31, 2026: Final reporting

 

Eligibilty

• Communities with populations under 3,500

• Eligible entities:

- Montana cities, towns, counties including incorporated and unincorporated towns​

-Community-based organizations, public/state institutions or higher education

- Nonprofits, tribal governments, conservation districts

• Preference for communities east of the Continental Divide

• Preference for communities demonstrating the desire to further their tree continuum of care and to use the grant to increase capacity for managing trees on their own

• Preference for communities with high percentage of Ash trees (>20%) rated as "large tree-immediate" and that are in "poor" or "dead and dying condition"

• Applicants must become MUCFA members before or after award acceptance

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Funding & Match Requirements

• Grants Amounts: $2,000 - $10,000

• Fund Management: MUCFA will directly manage grant funds, covering contractor and operational expenses. Communities will not receive direct disbursements.

• Matching Funds: Communities are required to provide a match unless they demonstrate a compelling need for an exception. Match contributions can include cash, in-kind services, personnel time, or volunteer labor.

 

We encourage a tiered approach to matching funds, where communities with larger populations contribute a higher percentage. However, we recognize that each community has unique circumstances, and we will consider flexibility in match requirements based on demonstrated financial need.​

Suggested match contributions by population size:

•  Above 3,000: 60% match

•  2,000-3,000: 40% match

•  Under 2,000: 25% match

 

Application Process

• Submission: Applications can be submitted online or via email to:

• mucfa.web@gmail.com

• Technical Grant Writing Assistance: Applicants may receive up to three 1-hour coaching sessions for grant writing and project planning. Please make requests to MUCFA.info@gmail.com

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Thank you for your participation !

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