2025 Grants Announcement: Applications will be accepted February 1 - March 31, 2025
We will be awarding $20,000 total in 2025. Up to 5 organizations will receive awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.

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Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District has partnered with Columbus Recreation and Parks Department to develop the Columbus Urban Tree Assistance Program. This program is made possible by funding from Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.

Increased tree canopy in urban areas is shown to be associated with positive health outcomes, lower average temperatures, reduced stormwater runoff, decreased soil degradation, increased biodiversity and an influx of economic opportunity. A recent Tree Canopy Assessment found that only 22 percent of Columbus is covered with trees. To grow the urban tree canopy and achieve the goals of the Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan and the Climate Action Plan, private tree canopy needs to increase throughout the city.

Civic associations, neighborhood associations, HOAs and other organized groups of landowners will be eligible to apply for this competitive assistance program. Planting must occur on private property in the City of Columbus. Extra consideration will be given to organizations or sites that have not been awarded before.

To increase accessibility and decrease the financial burden of these projects on private landowners, successful awardees will work closely with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, who will make all purchases and pay invoices on behalf of the project. Applicants will have several vendors to choose from for quotes and materials.

Applications will be accepted February 1 - March 31, 2025. If awarded, project implementation will be limited to the fall planting window established in the Columbus Tree Technical Manual (September 15 - December 31).

Information Sessions

We held 2 hybrid information sessions on January 29 and February 12 covering Mini Grants, Columbus Tree Assistance Program, and Community Beyond Backyards Grants (previously called Business Rebates). You can watch the recording on YouTube, and view the slide deck here.

Application Materials

This assistance award is competitive, and applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:

Planting Plan Efficacy – How strong is the application in terms of site knowledge, conservation practices, and project team experience?
Canopy Impact – Is the project located in an area with low (less than 20 percent) canopy cover, or is the canopy cover lacking at the project site itself?
Community Connection – How well does the project connect and engage with the local community and partner organizations, both before and after implementation?
Future Maintenance – How does the project ensure the longevity and best management of these trees? (Tree collars/protection, mulching, etc.)
Underserved Community – Will the project be located in a historically underserved community (Celebrate One Neighborhoods, UMFP Priority Equity Areas, CDC Social Vulnerability Index, or others described in the application)? Here are some links to data sources:
- Tree Equity Score Analyzer
- Columbus CelebrateOne Zip Codes
- Columbus Economic Development Opportunity Zones
- Columbus Urban Forestry Priority Planting Map (Map 4.4 - Page 79 of 158)
- US EPA Environmental Justice Screening Tool* & US EPA Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool*
  - *These tools were removed from federal government websites in January and February 2025, but you can use the unofficial archived versions from Public Environmental Data Partners for your grant application.

Eligible Expenses

Purchase of native trees (5-15 gallon, approximately 4-6 feet tall) and associated delivery
Maintenance or planting items (not to exceed 20 percent of funding request)
Other items approved by Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District as necessary.

Ineligible Expenses

Projects previously completed or in progress
Design and consulting fees
Research
Non-native species
Compact tree varieties used for screening (e.g. 'Green Giant' Arborvitae, 'Taylor' Red Cedar)
Salary and administration
Food or gifts
Sales tax
Pass-through costs like subsidies, discounts, or contractor fees
Educational displays that exceed more than 20 percent of the total cost
Anything deemed inappropriate by Franklin Soil & Water

Resources

*Organizations can apply for multiple programs (i.e TAP & mini-grant) for different projects (i.e. residential tree planting project & rain garden project). Projects may only be awarded from one program.

Columbus Tree Assistance Program