Community Restoration Grants
Restoring Land in Urban and Suburban Areas
Forterra Community Restoration Grants is a new community restoration grant program for urban and suburban cities in Washington State that is supported by the One Square Fund. The program focuses on restoring land in urban and suburban areas, promoting native plant diversity and engaging the community in environmental issues at the local level.
Questions? View our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us at restoration@forterra.org.
CRG Goals
- Promoting community-driven solutions to maximize social and environmental equity.
- Educate the public, especially the next generation, about environmental protection and restoration.
- Instill knowledge about, and promote the use of, native plants in environmental restoration.
- Leverage Forterra’s experience and relationships to restore areas that improve environmental and community health.
- Invest in Washington cities with relatively larger BIPOC communities, lower household incomes and greater health disparities.
- Partner with youth organizations and programs which provide job training and career pathways in restoration for BIPOC and other local youth.
- Complement and support ongoing Forterra-developed regional restoration programs.
PROGRAM Timeline
There will be four rounds of applications for the Community Restoration Grants.
| Fall Cycle | Spring Cycle |
|---|
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grant Announced & Advertised | July 15, 2024 | July 15, 2024 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 |
Grant Open | August 1 – September 15, 2024 | October 15 – November 15, 2024 | February 1-28, 2025 | March 14 – April 15, 2025 |
Grant Decision | October 1, 2024 | December 2, 2024 | March 21, 2025 | May 1, 2025 |
Grant Issued | November 1, 2024 | December 20, 2024 | April 15, 2025 | May 15, 2025 |
Completion Date | October 31, 2025 | November 30, 2025 | March 30, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
Report Due | November 30, 2025 | January 31, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | June 30, 2026 |
Grant Eligibility
Nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, neighborhood associations, and other community-interest groups are eligible recipients. Tribal governments, schools and school associations are also eligible. No other government and quasi-government agencies may apply. However, agencies are encouraged to be project partners to eligible grantees.
1. Eligible projects include:
– Ongoing, current urban/suburban restoration projects.
– Environmental job training programs focused in urban/suburban areas.
– Individual projects supporting an overall effort at an urban/suburban site.
– New urban/suburban restoration project—provided a maintenance or continuation plan exists.
2. Target proposals range from $10,000 – $25,000, but in some circumstances we will consider projects under $10,000. The maximum amount that can be applied for is $25,000. Grants may be partially or fully funded.
3. Grant-funded work cannot be used on private property inaccessible to the public.
Grant funds may be used on:
– Public land or land open to public access
– Land being used for public education
– Tribal lands accessible by tribal members (general public restrictions are allowable)
4. Primarily use native plants (at least 75%). If you are unsure if a plant counts as native, you can contact restoration@forterra.org.
5. Grant funds can be used for:
– Staff time
– Stipends
– Materials, plants, and other project expenses
– Administrative time (up to 15% of funds)
6. Applicants can only receive a funding award once per calendar year.
7. Priority will be given to projects that:
– Provide environmental benefits to the community (35%)
– Demonstrate that there is clear community impact. (25%)
– Benefit or support youth understanding and experience in restoration work (25%)
– Support underserved communities (15%)
8. Applicants must be a 501(c)3 organization, fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3, or a Tribal entity within Washington state. Individuals or for-profit entities are not eligible to be a lead applicant. Individuals or for-profit entities must partner with or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 or Tribal entity. While government agencies other than Tribal governments, schools and school associations aren’t eligible, they are encouraged to partner with those that are.
Applicants will submit a completed grant template. The applicant must provide details demonstrating the proposal meets the criteria for the grant program, including:
- Objectives and location
- Project partners, with a specific request to detail youth involvement and recruitment
- Project location, with a specific request to identify environmental health disparities and tree equity scores
- Budget information
- Site photos
- Confirmation of landowner support (as applicable) – letter template here
Download the Round four application here. Completed applications can be submitted to restoration@forterra.org no later than midnight on April 15.
Eligible applications will be evaluated for the following items:
- CRG Goals: How well does the project fit with CRG program goals? How many of the seven goals does the project meet? (Goals listed above.)
- Restoration Need: Does the project clearly identify the restoration need(s) in the community? Will the project provide environmental benefits to the community?
- Community impact: What is this project’s anticipated impact? Does this project positively impact the neighborhood/community? Are there success indicators for this project?
- Impact on Youth: Does this project serve youth? How are youth meaningfully impacted and engaged by the program?
- Impact on Underserved Communities: How does this project work with underserved communities? Does the project Invest in Washington cities with relatively larger BIPOC communities, lower household incomes and greater health disparities, or other underserved group?
- Community support: Is there clear support from the community? How does the project incorporate community feedback and encourage participation?
- Feasibility: Can this project be completed with the funds requested? Or is there additional funding that supports the project?
- Project longevity: Is this project likely to result in lasting change? What maintenance is required for outcomes to be sustainable?
Additional support new for 2025
Forterra’s Technical Assistance Community Restoration Grants (TAG) aim to provide support for neighborhood and community groups who want to begin a restoration program, planting or tree canopy improvement project but might not know where to start. The goal is to expand the amount of amazing work community groups are doing in urban and suburban communities. If you’re potentially interested in receiving TAG support or additional information, please email restoration@forterra.org
RECENT GRANT AWARD WINNERS
