MillionTreesNYC Grants

Two people posing with a tree they are in the process of planting

MillionTreesNYC offers grant programs through our various partners in order to provide funding for community environmental projects across New York City. From grant programs aimed at youth environmental education to park stewardship projects to hosting a free tree giveaway within your community, there are many ways in which individuals and organizations can participate.

Please bear in mind that many of the grants below are not managed by MillionTreesNYC. Contact the sponsoring organization for more information about these programs.

Gardens for the City Application

Looking to revitalize a space in your neighborhood? New York Restoration Project (NYRP) can provide resources to selected new greening projects in New York City. NYRP will provide building materials and experts in the fields of construction, horticulture, forestry, environmental education and community organizing to transform or enhance selected open areas into gardens or green spaces in 2011.

Our team will work with you to design and create the green space. Schools, community centers and non-profits are encouraged to submit applications to transform property that is accessible to the public. NYRP will collaborate with PTAs, principals, churches, private schools, senior centers, local development corporations and any similar group that is ready to create and use a green space.

For more information and to view the application, please visit the New York Restoration Project website.

Partnerships For Parks Capacity Fund Grant

(Deadline: October 1, 2011)

PFP’s Capacity Fund makes grants to community groups working in parks across the five boroughs of New York City. The Capacity Fund supports projects that expand a community group’s ability to care for their park and to use their park to care for the community.
Please visit www.partnershipsforparks.org to find an application, guidelines, and examples of past projects.

For more information or to register for a consultation, call (212) 676-1929 or email channaly.philipp@parks.nyc.gov.

The Hub Hero Awards -- Call for Nominations

generationOn has partnered with The Hub to launch a new recognition program that will be aired on The Hub's weekly entertainment magazine show, Hubworld! generationOn wants to shine the spotlight on the young volunteers who are doing great things across the country to help their community with The Hub Hero Award. The Hub Hero Award recognizes outstanding kids who show that you are never too young to make a difference.Young people will have the chance to be recognized on national television and inspire thousands of other young people by sharing their story of service!

A Hub Hero is a young person between the ages of 5-14 years old who has shown:

  • An ongoing interest in contributing to the community/world.
  • "Self-starting" traits -- this is the youth who comes up with the service ideas and encourages their peers to join them.
  • Has the ability to talk about the issues/projects that he/she is engaged in and feels comfortable in front of a camera.

How does someone become a Hub Hero?

  • Teachers, Kids Care Club facilitators, and non-profit partners nominate an outstanding youth volunteer by completing The Hub Hero Nomination Form.
  • To request a nomination form, please reply to klacey@generationon.org with Hub Hero Request in the subject line.
  • The nomination is submitted for consideration to a committee of people from generationOn and The Hub.

Home Depot Foundation 2011 Community Impact Grants

(Deadline: October 31, 2011)

The Home Depot Foundation, a philanthropic vehicle of Home Depot, has announced that it is accepting applications for its Community Impact Grants Program from nonprofit organizations, public schools, and public service agencies in the United States that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities.
Grants must support work completed by community volunteers in the U.S. Proposals for the following community improvement activities will be considered: repairs, refurbishments, and modifications to low-income and/or transitional housing or community facilities (schools, community centers, senior centers, etc.); weatherizing or increasing energy efficiency of low-income and/or transitional housing or community facilities; planting trees or community gardens and/or landscaping community facilities; and development and/or improvement of parks or green spaces.
Only registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, tax-exempt public schools, and tax-exempt public agencies in the U.S. are eligible to apply. Grants of up to $5,000 will be made in the form of Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services.

Visit the Home Depot Foundation Web site for complete program guidelines and application procedures.

Patagonia Grassroots Environmental Grants

Outdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia provides support for environmental work through grants to nonprofit organizations.

Patagonia supports small, grassroots activist organizations that have provocative direct-action agendas and are working on multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect the environment. The company funds work that is action-oriented, builds public involvement and support, is strategic, focuses on root causes, and accomplishes specific goals and objectives. The company is most interested in making grants to organizations that identify and work on the root causes of problems and that approach issues with a commitment to long-term change.

The company does not fund organizations without 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscal sponsor; general environmental education efforts; land acquisition, land trusts, or conservation easements; research, unless it is in direct support of a developed plan for specific action to alleviate an environmental problem; environmental conferences; endowment funds; or political campaigns.

Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $8,000 each. In addition to the corporate grant program, each Patagonia retail store administers a grants program. Retail store grant applications are accepted year round.

Applications will be accepted during the month of August. See the Patagonia Web site for guidelines and retail store locator.

Captain Planet Foundation Youth Environmental Project Grant

The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to fund and support hands-on environmental projects for children and youth. The foundation's objective is to encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Through environmental education, the foundation believes that children can achieve a better understanding and appreciation of the world in which they live.

The foundation offers small grants of $500 or less each, as well as a limited number of grant awards ranging from $500 to $2,500 each.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to submit a proposal.

Deadlines for submitting grant applications are June 30, September 30, December 31, and March 31. Grant proposals are reviewed over a period of three months from the date of the submission deadline.

Visit the Captain Planet Foundation Web site for complete program information and guidelines.

New York City Environmental Fund

The fund supports projects that foster restoration, care, and public enjoyment of and education about the natural resources of New York City. It funds general environmental education programs and encourages community involvement. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with average awards of $15,000. For application deadlines and more information, call 212.483.7667.

Wachovia Community Needs - Wachovia Foundation

The Wachovia Foundation provides Community Needs Grants to support organizations working to improve communities with low- to moderate-income. In particular, the Foundation strives to improve education, community development, and environmental health, ensure access to health and human services, and to bolster civic engagement. Award amounts may vary. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3), have broad community support, and can demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability.

For detailed grant information and instructions on how to apply, please visit the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation page.

ioby.org

If you have an environmental project that is discrete, site-specific in a NYC neighborhood, with a small budget that needs funding or volunteers, apply to post your project on ioby.org. ioby stands for “in our backyards” and through a web platform connects donors and volunteers to environmental projects in their neighborhoods. To post a project, just go to ioby.org/projects/submit, create a username and password and fill out the online application.

Hablamos español. Contáctenos a 212-228-6947.

During Earth Month in April, ioby will be offering a very special 1:1 match for every project. That's right, double your contributions during Earth Month and be prepared for It's My Park! Day as well as spring and summer park projects!

Citizens Committee for New York City Grants

Citizens Committee offers small grants for volunteer-led projects that improve and strengthen communities, and that involve neighbors in a meaningful way. Our grants are for grassroots community groups in economically under-resourced neighborhoods. We do not award grants to individuals, agencies with paid staff, religious, fraternal, or partisan organizations.

New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods Awards
Through New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods, Citizens Committee offers grants of $500 to $3,000 to grassroots community groups in economically under-resourced neighborhoods to work on creative community improvement projects that bring neighbors together.

Mollie Parnis Dress up Your School Awards
Through the Mollie Parnis Dress Up Your School Awards, Citizens Committee offers grants of $500 to $3,000 to support student led projects that beautify schools or neighborhoods immediately surrounding schools.

For more information, email us or call Saleen Shah at (212) 822-9566 or Arif Ullah at (212) 822-9580.

Do Something Offers Grants for Community Action Projects

To be eligible, applicants must be no older than 25 and a U.S. or Canadian citizen. Do Something grants cannot be used to fund travel costs, individual sponsorships, shipping costs, individual school fees, or fundraising expenses. Do Something grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Grants will be awarded on a weekly basis.
Visit the Do Something Web site for complete program information, including judging criteria.

Garden Apprentice Program through Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a great way for teens to learn about urban agriculture and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world! Apprentices can work their way up the four-tier program, potentially earning a paid position as Senior Apprentice. If you enjoy getting your hands dirty and want to work with other teens, GAP may be for you. You are the future-help make it greener! Apprentices make a ten-month commitment to GAP, from March to December, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment throughout the academic year. See the tier descriptions for more information and application links. For more information, please email Brooklyn Botanic Garden.