CFAs: Growing Canada’s Community Canopies Initiative

Objectives:

• Support communities across Canada in planting the right trees in the right places to grow, manage, and protect urban and community tree canopies.
• Enhance carbon sequestration, biodiversity, climate resilience, and community well-being through strategic tree planting.
• Promote environmental, economic, and social benefits by supporting diverse tree planting projects.
• Emphasize tree species diversity to increase ecological sustainability and resilience.
• Foster community engagement and ownership in urban forestry efforts.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Canadian municipal governments (towns, cities, regions, districts, local boards), either alone or in collaboration.
• Municipal corporations, regional organizations delivering municipal services.
• Indigenous organizations and communities (for-profit and not-for-profit).
• Not-for-profit organizations registered in Canada (charities, volunteer groups, land conservation organizations, NGOs).
• For-profit organizations or private-sector entities legally incorporated or registered in Canada.
• Excludes homeowners, federal and provincial/territorial government entities, and their controlled corporations.

Key Features:

• Funding covers up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum of $10 million per municipality for project funding and $1 million for infrastructure activities.
• Supports various tree planting activities: street trees, urban planting in low canopy areas, park tree planting, riparian planting, forest restoration, and reforestation.
• Requires municipal government involvement and accountability in projects.
• Projects must align with municipal policies/plans and include a detailed planting plan prepared or reviewed by forestry professionals.
• Maintenance and monitoring plans are mandatory to ensure tree survival, with a 10% hold-back of funds until one-year post-planting survival reports are submitted.
• Community engagement is prioritized, awarding points for inclusive participation.
• Eligible sites are primarily civic lands; non-municipal lands require landowner support and accountability.
• Applications are currently closed and will reopen in 2026; interested parties can sign up for notifications via FCM Connect.

Application Process:

1. Phase 1: Complete a readiness check to assess eligibility.
2. Phase 2: Contact a GMF representative to obtain application materials and guidance.
3. Phase 3: Submit a pre-application form via FCM’s funding portal.
4. Phase 4: Eligibility determination by GMF.
5. Phase 5: Submit full application with detailed documents including planting plan.
6. Phase 6: GMF project officer reviews application and provides support.
7. Phase 7: External peer and internal reviews conducted.
8. Phase 8: Final funding decision by FCM Board of Directors (average 4-5 months after full application).
9. Urban forestry coaching is available to assist applicants in project planning and application quality.

This initiative aims to create thriving, resilient community canopies that improve livability and environmental health in Canadian municipalities through strategic, well-supported tree planting projects.