Growing Canada’s Community Canopies: Tree Planting New!
Funder
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
Deadline Details
The deadline to submit a full application for this funding is September 18, 2025 (aiming for the Spring 2026 planting season).
GMF recommends that you submit your application as soon as it is complete, so GMF can review it and flag any issues for your attention before the application window has closed. Applications that are incomplete when the application window closes will be deferred to the next funding cycle for assessment.
GMF’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative funds planting the right type of trees in the right places so that communities across Canada can grow, manage and protect their tree canopies.
When communities plant trees they benefit from carbon sequestration, enhanced biodiversity, and better climate resilience and well-being.
To qualify for tree planting funding, your project must contribute to the planting of new trees with municipal government involvement and accountability.
As tree planting benefits communities in diverse ways, projects with planting that supports environmental, economic and social objectives will be more likely to receive funding.
To meet your local needs, GMF will fund a combination of tree planting, including:
-
Community-wide urban planting
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Forest restoration in naturalized areas
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Localized planting projects
Expected Output: A new tree planting project, with municipal government involvement and accountability.
Eligible Community
- Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards)
- Eligible to apply in collaboration with other eligible municipal governments or alone
- Organizations applying in partnership with municipal governments, which include:
- Municipal corporations
- Regional organizations delivering municipal services
- Indigenous organizations (for-profit and not-for-profit) or Indigenous communities
- Not-for-profit organizations registered in Canada (e.g., charitable organizations; volunteer organizations; community, professional, industry or other associations; land conservation organizations; and non-government organizations)
- For-profit organizations or private-sector entities (legally incorporated or registered in Canada)
Required Community Contribution
Community contribution required (please see program website)
Funding Stacking Restrictions
Yes
You cannot apply for the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program (or for a provincial or territorial program funded through the 2 Billion Trees program) and GCCC – Tree Planting funding for the same project
Professional Input Required
Yes
Submitting a detailed planting plan (or equivalent) prepared or reviewed by a professional with urban tree or forest health training, will be a requirement at the full application stage.
Other Eligible Applicants
Businesses / For-profitNon-governmental Organizations / Not-for-Profits
Economic Development Agencies
Academic Institutions
The following entities are not eligible to receive funds directly:
- Homeowners
- Federal government entities and any organizations established by those entities
- Provincial and territorial government entities and any corporation that they own or control
Range of Funding Available per Project
- Under $100 000
- From $100 000 to $1 000 000
- Over $1 000 000
Description of Funding
Maximum Award:Funding for up to 50%* of eligible costsUp to a maximum of $10 million** in project fundingUp to a maximum of $1 million** in infrastructure activity funding
*See eligible costs
** Eligible applicants can receive funding for more than one tree planting project. The maximum amounts are funding limits per municipality for the lifetime of the funding through Growing Canada’s Community Canopies tree planting. This limit applies to all eligible applicants wishing to plant within the jurisdictional boundaries of a municipality.
Lifetime funding per municipality:
Up to a maximum of $10 million in project fundingUp to a maximum of $1 million in infrastructure activity funding
Please refer the the funder's website for details about what your project must achieve.
Percentage of Project Funded
50%Eligible Costs
DesignPlanning
Operational and Maintenance Costs
Capital Costs
Community Engagement
Equipment/Material Purchase
Staff Costs
Administration Fees
Funding for tree planting projects has been designed to support communities in making permanent additions to their forests.
This funding aims to maximize the benefits of urban forestry through strategic tree-planting activities. That’s why the program emphasizes planting the right trees in the right areas—the trees are more likely to survive, and your project is more likely to meet its objectives.
GCCC supports a variety of tree planting activities such as:
- Street tree planting, which is the thoughtful placement of trees along public streets, enhancing aesthetics, providing shade, improving air quality and reducing noise
- Urban planting in areas with low canopy cover, which lowers temperatures to lessen the urban heat island effect
- Park tree planting, which focuses on establishing new groves and revitalizing existing tree stands in public parks, keeping green spaces healthy and biodiverse
- Riparian planting in flood-prone areas, which can increase the infiltration and stability of soils
- Forest restoration and reforestation, which can rehabilitate areas that have experienced die-offs caused by pests or wildfires
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We emphasize diversifying tree species because it increases biodiversity, resilience and ecological sustainability.
Community engagement is a key priority. The funder awards evaluation points to projects that demonstrate inclusive engagement, fostering a sense of ownership and understanding of the vital roles that trees play in urban environment
See eligible costs, the website and the full application guide for more information about eligibility and site requirements
Reporting Requirements
Progress reports and final reports