Thank you for your interest in the Philly Tree Coalition's Responsive Grant Program! Please review the information below before starting your application. If you have any questions, please contact us at phillytreecoalition@phmc.org. 

Applications are due on August 10, 2026 at 9 AM. Late applications will not be accepted. 

About the Opportunity

On July 11, a severe storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, and significant tree damage to neighborhoods across West and South Philadelphia. The storm caused fallen trees and limbs, damaged sidewalks and tree pits, and disrupted community spaces that residents rely on every day. Recovery efforts will require coordinated action from neighborhood organizations, residents, and local partners to restore the urban tree canopy and strengthen community resilience. 

About the Philly Tree Coalition

The Philly Tree Coalition is a multi-sector partnership comprising core representation from dedicated residents of the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, PowerCorpsPHL, Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), the School District of Philadelphia, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Neighborhood Gardens Trust, and the Philadelphia Orchard Project. As the primary implementers of the Philly Tree Plan, the Coalition is dedicated to a 30-year vision: expanding Philadelphia’s tree canopy to 30%.

Responsive Grant Program 

The Philly Tree Coalition will award five (5) grants of $5,000 each to support tree-related recovery efforts in neighborhoods impacted by the July 11 storm, with a focus on West and South Philadelphia. The objective is to aid in the restoration and recovery of neighborhood blocks, community spaces, and greenspaces. 

Eligible activities include those that support tree-related restoration and that further the goals of the Philly Tree Plan. Activities may include but are not limited to: 

• Neighborhood clean-up efforts 
• Resource fairs and community outreach events 
• Community conversations  
• Tree memorials 
• Tree planting and maintenance
• Stump removal 
• Creative arts storytelling 
• Wellness engagements 
• Neighborhood environmental disaster planning
• Resource assessments
• Planting plans
• Tree and environmental education programs 
• Other tree-related recovery and restoration activities

Funding Structure 

• $4,000 awarded upon grant approval and execution of the grant agreement 
• $1,000 awarded upon successful completion of the project and submission of a final report

Timeline 

• Application Opens: July 20, 2026 
• Info Session: Friday, July 24 12-1pm. Register here.
• Application Closes: August 10, 2026 at 9am (3 week application period) 
• Award Notifications: August–September 2026 

Funding Restrictions

• Hazard Tree Removal: Trees can only be removed if they are in a condition that causes more harm than good to the community. They must either be dead, standing trees OR rated by a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) professional as “extreme” or “high” risk of failure. Trees must also be replaced at a rate of 1:1 within one year of being removed, but if you aren't sure if you can replace the tree, please reach out to us! One of our partners may be able to support through their tree programming.
• Equipment: Funding may not be used to purchase equipment or vehicles over $5,000.
• Construction: Funding may not be used for construction. For example, funds may cover pavement removal for tree pit cuts or tree pit expansion but may not be used to rebuild or repair sidewalks.

Eligibility

• Be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)3 public charities or state nonprofit. State non-profits or 501(c)3 organizations include community-based organizations, schools and educational institutions, and other types of public-serving groups.
• If awarded, you will need a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Additional information can be found in the attachments section, or you can reach out to us with questions.
• Propose a project located within an area impacted by the July 11 storms (West or South Philadelphia) and located within a Tree Forward eligible area. Applicants can use the Philadelphia Street Tree Planting Opportunity Map to identify eligible areas within West or South Philly.

         

 

1. Tell us about your organization and your connection to the neighborhood impacted by the July 11 storm.

(250 words maximum)

2. What recovery activity or project are you proposing? Please describe the work you plan to complete and how it relates to tree recovery, restoration, or community resilience.

(500 words maximum)

3. In which neighborhood(s) will the project take place and and who is this project intended to benefit? Share the location in any of the following ways:

• Address(es)
• Neighborhood with street name boundaries (North, South, East and West boundaries)
• Census tract(s)

(200 words maximum)

4. What outcomes do you expect to achieve by the end of the project? 

Examples may include: 

• Residents engaged 
• Trees or tree pits restored 
• Stumps removed 
• Community events held 
• Educational materials distributed
• Other neighborhood improvements 

(200 words maximum) 

5. Please provide a simple budget showing how you will use the $5,000 grant.

Include all anticipated expenses. Salaries are an allowable expense; however, given the funding amount and project timeline, we anticipate most budgets will primarily include costs such as supplies, stipends, contracts, and other direct project expenses.

Indirect costs are also allowable. Organizations without a federally negotiated indirect cost rate may use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of Total Direct Costs. Organizations with a current federally negotiated indirect cost rate may apply that rate but must upload supporting documentation in the Attachments section.

If you include indirect costs, please list this as a separate line item in the budget table.

Please note, if your project includes stipends, gift cards, or SEPTA passes and is awarded funding, additional documentation and reporting will be required. These requirements will be outlined during the contract processing stage.

Please upload the following attachments. Attachments 1-5 are required. 

If you are using a fiscal sponsor, please upload attachments 1-5 for the fiscal sponsor organization.

Please upload all documents in PDF format.

1. 501(c)3 or State Non-profit supporting documentation. We will accept any of the following: 

• A copy of a current tax exemption certificate from the IRS.  
• A letter from your state’s tax department, attorney general, or another state official saying that your group is a nonprofit and that none of your net earnings go to private shareholders or others.   
• A certified copy of your certificate of incorporation. This document must show that your group is a nonprofit.   

2. 990 Tax Document or equivalent Tax document for the type of organization (from 2025). We will accept an e-postcard for organizations with annual revenue less than $50,000. 

3. Financial Statement (FY25 or most recent). The financial statement should provide details on your organization’s assets, liability, equity, earnings, and spendings. The type of document depends on the annual revenue shown in your 990 or equivalent tax document: 

• Less than $99,000 in revenue: Financial statement (unaudited or internally prepared) 
• $100,000 or more in revenue: Audited financial statement 

4. Certificate of Insurance: Please submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) to PHMC. Uploading this now will help to expedite the contracting process if your application is selected.

This is required by our legal department to comply with legal and regulatory requirements. A template is linked here. More information on insurance requirements can be found here. PHMC should be listed in the lower left as a certificate holder as follows: 

 
Public Health Management Corporation 
Centre Square East, LM 500 
Market Street 
Philadelphia, PA 19102 

5. Completed W-9 Form: Please submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) to PHMC. Uploading this now will help to expedite the contracting process if your application is selected.

A template W-9 form is linked here. This form requests your organization’s name, address, and taxpayer identification information. The form will be used by PHMC’s Accounts Payable department to generate a vendor profile if your proposal is selected.  

Note: Additional materials may be requested from applicants and after final selection of awardees. 

UEI Requirement and Instructions

Please note: If your application is awarded, you will need to provide a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in order to contract for this funding. Because these funds come from a federal source, all subawardees must have a UEI.

If you do not already have a UEI, the process to obtain one through SAM.gov is simple and free. We recommend applying now to help expedite contract processing if you are selected for funding.

How to obtain a UEI:

1. Go to SAM.gov and sign in using your Login.gov account, or create a new user account if needed. (Watch a short video guide)
2. On the homepage, select “Get Started” → “Get Unique Entity ID (UEI)” (or “Get UEI only”), not “Register Entity.”
3. Enter the required information:
   • Legal Business Name
   • Physical Address (including ZIP Code)
4. Confirm that the information is correct and certify that you are authorized to request a UEI.
5. Submit your request. Once processed and validated, your UEI will be assigned.
6. After your UEI is assigned, you can view it anytime in your SAM.gov account.