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Forested Community Schoolyards Funding Opportunity
What We’re Doing
Trust for Public Land is working alongside the U.S. Forest Service to increase tree planting in schools. Recognizing the opportunity in Tribal and Indigenous Communities, we are directing funds to Tribal nations, Tribal schools, and Indigenous communities to transform vacant schoolyards into culturally relevant green spaces that redress disparities in mental and physical health, climate vulnerability, and outdoor learning, while celebrating Indigenous lifeways.
We are proud to serve as a national pass-through partner of the U.S. Forest Service to invest $3,460,000 in tribal Community Schoolyards® projects through our new Forested Community Schoolyards Pass-Through Program.
Our Goal
Trust for Public Land seeks to fund community-led efforts to reimagine how school grounds across Tribal and Indigenous communities are designed, maintained, and stewarded for student learning and community use.
Watch the Technical Assistance Webinar
For more than 25 years, and in communities across the country, Trust for Public Land has partnered with schools and underserved communities to reimagine their outdoor spaces. We engage directly with a variety of partners, including neighborhood residents, community groups, schools, city agencies, and civic leaders in the creation of new green play spaces through our Community Schoolyards® initiative. TPL is working to make vibrant Community Schoolyards® standard practice across the country.
Through the U.S. Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program, under the Inflation Reduction Act (Funding Opportunity #: USDA-FS-2023-UCF-IRA-01), TPL is proud to announce a Request for Proposals as part of our new Forested Community Schoolyards Pass-Through Program.
We invite applications for projects and programs designed to support, maintain, and celebrate Indigenous lifeways, mitigate climate change, and create equitable outdoor spaces with an emphasis on planning, planting, and maintaining trees.
We are eager to fund Tribal- and Indigenous-led projects and programs that will protect, enhance, and expand tree canopy and outdoor learning in schoolyards; encourage maintenance and monitoring of trees; and/or provide training and employment opportunities for planning, planting, and sustainably maintaining trees and greenspaces.
2. Proof of eligibility, if applicable (e.g., IRS nonprofit determination letter): Please reference the Match Waiver Compliance Guidance document for more information.
3. Budget
• August 21, 2024: Applications open
• September 24, 2024: Live webinar/Q&A for application support
• November 8, 2024: Applications due
• November 22, 2024: Applicants notified
• December 31, 2024: Award agreements executed
• January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027: Award period of performance
• TPL hosted a Technical Assistance Webinar for interested applicants on Monday, September 24 at 3pm ET. Please click here to watch the Technical Assistance Seminar.
• Please send us an email at CSYGrants@tpl.org to submit questions and/or request technical assistance to support your application.
Yes, you are eligible if you apply in partnership with one of the tribal entities listed in the eligibility section of the RFP. Please note: The tribal entity should be the LEAD applicant on the proposal.
Yes! Indigenous-led nonprofits are eligible for these funds.
Yes, as are Indigenous communities in US Territories.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is federal funding that includes a broad range of national investments, including $1.5 billion dedicated to trees in cities and towns. The IRA was signed into law in August of 2022.
Trust for Public Land is a national pass-through partner of the U.S. Forest Service, with the goal of distributing Inflation Reduction Act funds through the Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program to Tribal and Indigenous communities using trees and nature-based solutions to provide cooling, health, and learning benefits for students and school communities, through the development of forested community schoolyards. To expedite the funding process, a mix of national pass-through partners— including state forestry agencies and nonprofits with granting experience (like Trust for Public Land) — are helping distribute IRA dollars. You’ll see this referred to as “pass-through funding.” Trust for Public Land is here to help subawardees with guidance, tools, and a network of peers. You can read more about this here.
No, match funding is not required, nor does it increase your chances of a successful award.
Yes, a 6-month no-cost extension will be allowed with prior approval and appropriate justification.
TPL is offering grants between $250,000 to $500,000.
