The Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grant Program is established to encourage the creation of long-term, sustained canopy cover to improve water quality across the Commonwealth. This grant is used to fund tree-planting efforts that raise public awareness of the benefits of trees and impacts on water quality.
Funding
- The recommended funding range is $1,000 – $50,000.
- Some project match is expected and can include in-kind and volunteer hours.
- Grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis. Under limited circumstances, DOF can directly pay costs for a project. Please reach out to the program contact for more information.
- Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to the estimated planting date and an award must be issued prior to beginning the project or incurring project expenses.
Project Categories
Projects may include but are not limited to the following:
- Riparian Buffers
- Community or Street Tree Plantings
- Neighborhood-wide Projects
- Turf-to-Trees
- Tree Giveaways
We do fund:
- Fees charged by private contractors and/or consultants.
- Purchase of essential supplies and materials.
- Purchase and planting of trees (2 inches in caliper or less) and shrubs.
- Maintenance expenses, including watering, are eligible for reimbursement during the grant period.
- DOF cannot reimburse until after all deliverables and activities have been completed.
- Maintenance costs will be ineligible if submitted outside of the approved grant period.
- Costs associated with site preparation and soil amendments.
We don’t fund:
- Purchase of machinery or equipment.
- Construction of any kind (e.g., sidewalks or roads).
- Purchase of food, snacks, or beverages.
- Purchase of land or land charges.
- Purchase of plant material classified as invasive species.
- Purchase and planting of ash species (Fraxinus sp.) due to the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).
- Costs that are not incurred during the grant award period.
- Costs not approved by the urban and community forestry program manager during the award phase or modification.
- Purchase and planting of vines or non-woody plants.
- Tree removals.
Who is Eligible
Grants may be awarded to civic groups, communities, local government, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood associations, public educational institutions, state agencies, tribal organizations and volunteer groups.
To Apply
Applications are accepted via the System Access Portal for Forestry Grants.
System Access Portal for Forestry Grants
- View the user guides provided in the Resource Library below for help with registering for an account and submitting an application.
- Local DOF staff must review the project prior to proposal submission. The local DOF forester should provide a letter of recommendation for the project directly to the U&CF program manager prior to proposal submission.
- Projects must include community outreach and engagement components.
Additional Resources
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Forestry Grant Program -Time and Activity Log for Staff and Volunteers | 3.26 | Form | View | finance urb financial-assistance urban-and-community-forestry | form | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Agreement Signing | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with agreement signing. | User Guide | View | finance financial-assistance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management urb fire-and-emergency-response forest-management urban-and-community-forestry | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Filing a Claim | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with filing a claim. | User Guide | View | finance financial-assistance | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Registration User Guide | System Access Portal User Guide for registering to use the grants system. | User Guide | View | financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response urb financial-assistance fire-and-emergency-response urban-and-community-forestry finance | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Requesting an Agreement Modification | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with requesting an agreement modification. | User Guide | View | finance financial-assistance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management urb fire-and-emergency-response forest-management urban-and-community-forestry | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grants | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grants. | User Guide | View | urb urban-and-community-forestry | user-guide | |
 | Virginia Department of Forestry Grants – Frequently Asked Questions | Document answers the most common questions asked about forestry grants, including application requirements, qualifying expenses, reimbursements and other how do I… questions. | Document | View | finance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response urb financial-assistance fire-and-emergency-response urban-and-community-forestry | document | |
 | Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grants – Request for Applications | Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grants – Request for Applications document details the program and application requirements as well as deadlines and submission information. | Document | View | urb urban-and-community-forestry | document |
A variety of financial assistance programs exist through DOF and partner agencies for community forestry and forest management activities.
Explore All Financial Assistance Programs
Contact Us
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.