Chesapeake Bay Trust Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund

Chesapeake Bay Trust Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund is sponsored by Chesapeake Bay Trust. Addresses environmental justice (EJ) issues in the Mid-Atlantic and disperses the co-benefits of healthy community forests for decades into the future.

Mid-Atlantic Community Forestry Fund - Chesapeake Bay Trust Mid-Atlantic Community Forestry Fund The Mid-Atlantic Community Forestry Fund is a grant program that leverages forestry to address environmental and public health issues in the Mid-Atlantic. Our goal is to disperse and democratize the range of co-benefits that healthy community forests have for decades into the future.

A robust community forestry and tree stewardship effort is a powerful tool to improve the health of the Mid-Atlantic region. Increasing tree canopy improves local air and water quality, cools neighborhoods, fosters public health, stimulates local green jobs, encourages community cohesion, mitigates flooding and its adverse effects, and strengthens the region and its inhabitants.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust co-leads the Mid-Atlantic Community Forestry Fund with Centro de Apoyo Familiar, CEEJH Inc, Howard University, Overbrook Environmental Education Center, Sentinels of the Eastern Shore Health, and South Baltimore Community Land Trust.

Emphasizing a participatory and inclusive decision-making process, the Fund empowers different representatives of communities affected by environmental and public health issues to participate in the development of the Request for Proposal (RFP), scoring applications, selecting funded projects, and providing limited technical assistance to a select group of applicants. What does this fund and how much funding is available?

Track I: Organization Capacity Building To increase the ability of community-based organizations to advance urban forestry planning, planting, and maintenance efforts through training and technical assistance ($100,000 request maximum).

Track II: Tree Canopy for Resiliency and Public Health Tree planting and tree canopy improvements to address local public health, climate change, ecologic, and environmental issues like air pollution and stormwater management (No request maximum).

Track III: Workforce Development in Community Forestry Development of projects that engage residents in job training programs focused on developing forestry-related skills ($200,000 request maximum). *Applicants can apply for one or more of these tracks in a single application.

Community-based organizations that are tax-exempt or fiscally sponsored throughout the Mid-Atlantic region (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV), particularly those who have historically faced barriers in securing funding to address environmental and public health issues. *See eligibility criteria section of Requests for Proposals for more details.

Funding is provided by the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act investment, as well as by other local private and community foundations. Each of these partners are equal opportunity providers. Friday, February 27th, 2026 Manage an Existing Grant or Continue an Application Questions & Technical Support Please refer to page 9 of the RFP to see a complete list of requirements.

Be sure all requirements are included as part of your application. This tab includes links to some documents that must be downloaded, filled out, and submitted as part of your application through our online portal. Documents Required for All Tracks: Complete and upload the Narrative Questions Document.

Financial Management Spreadsheet with detailed budget. Documents Required for Track II: Tree Canopy for Resiliency and Public Health Download a sample site plan here . This is a suggestion for the layout of your site plan.

Property owner agreements signed or a detailed plan to procure them. This is a suggested property owner permission form, please make sure you tailor it to your project needs. The Fund acknowledges that application processes can be complicated and time-consuming and that this has been historically a reason for local, small grass-roots organizations not being funded equitably.

To increase participation from these groups, the Fund works as a network of local Hub Partners. If you are interested in this funding opportunity and/or are seeking technical assistance during the application process, we highly encourage you to contact your local Hub Partner using the information you can find in the map below. More information about technical assistance can be found on Pages 7 and 8 of the Request for Proposals.

Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Application Development: The following resources are designed to help the applicant craft their application for the Bay Trust’s online portal. There are videos and documents that will assist in navigating our online system, creating and submitting your financial management spreadsheet (FMS), and recommendations for managing federal awards.

How to Apply for a Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant and Other Award Opportunities: Watch this video to learn about the Chesapeake Bay Trust, our programs and opportunities, and the application process for applying for a grant or other award opportunity.

Chesapeake Bay Trust Financial Management Spreadsheet (FMS) Tutorial: Applicants are required to submit a budget using the Trust’s Financial Management Spreadsheet (FMS) as part of their application package. Applicants should complete the Application Budget worksheet of the FMS and submit the entire spreadsheet file with the online application.

If you are awarded funding, the same FMS submitted with your application will be used throughout the entirety of the award.

Frequents Asked Questions (FAQs) When Applying for and Managing Chesapeake Bay Trust Awards that include Federal Funding Obtaining Cost-Effective and Realistic Budget Values for your Application The following resources provide comprehensive guidance on tree planting, care, and management, with a focus on sustainability, reforestation, and community involvement.

They address topics ranging from selecting the right trees for specific environments to integrating environmental justice into community forestry efforts, offering practical tools for both ecological restoration and enhancing resilience.

For more information about eligible project types under track II, see this document: Eligible Property Types Right Tree Right Place: Tree Planning, Selection, & Location | Arbor Day Foundation The Forestry Reclamation Approach: guide to successful reforestation of mined lands: Tree Care and Maintenance: Tree Care & Maintenance | Arbor Day Foundation US Forest Service: Tree Owner’s Manual The following resources are broken down by region and offer comprehensive information on invasive species for each one, including lists of invasive plants and species of concern, as these cannot be planted.

There are also some cover tree canopy assessments, which evaluate the extent of urban tree coverage, and green infrastructure plans, focusing on nature-based solutions to enhance environmental sustainability.

Delaware Invasive Species Council: Invasive Plants List Native and Invasive Pollinator Plants Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland Maryland Invasive Plant Species State Invasive Species Lists: USDA Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas Invasive Species of Concern for Pennsylvania Virginia Invasive Plant Species List Dirty Dozen-West Virginia Top Invasive Plants Learn more about previously awarded projects on our interactive map!

Follow Us to Stay Informed Positions on Global Issues Standing Strong Against Acts of Racism Stream Restoration Practices Investment and Gift Acceptance Policies Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Become a Host Organization Corps Mini Grant (12-mo Only) District of Columbia Community Stormwater Solutions Anne Arundel County Community Tree Planting Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration and Forestry City of Annapolis Electric Leaf Blower Rebate City of Annapolis Stormwater Facility Maintenance Support Program Charles County Tree Planting City of Rockville Flood Mitigation Assistance Program City of Rockville RainScapes Rebate City of Gaithersburg Rainscapes Reward Program Prince George’s County Community Gardens Mini Grant Prince George’s County Community Resilience Hub Grant Program Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Prince George’s Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program Outdoor Learning Network Initiative Youth Environmental Education Grant Program Mid-Atlantic Community Forestry Fund Community Forestry Catalyst Fund Community Engagement & Restoration Mini Grants Veteran’s Engagement Mini Grant Program Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Jones Falls- Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Goal Implementation Team Funding Program Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Maintenance Small Grants Program Pooled Monitoring Initiative’s Restoration Research Award Program Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Jones Falls- Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program Applicant Resources, Forms, & Policies Awardee Resources, Forms, & Policies Gifts in Honor, Memory, or Tribute Thomas V.

Mike Miller, Jr. Education Fund Angler, Boater, or Hunter Support Maryland Outdoor Recreation and Clean Water Fund Healing, Hunting, and Fishing Fund Chesapeake Bay Merchandise Plate Perks Program: Discounts for Bay Plate Owners