UCF - Urban and Community Forestry Program (FY24)

The Illinois Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program provides technical and financial assistance to municipalities, nonprofit groups, and other public entities for the management, preservation, and enhancement of urban trees and related natural resources. The program is funded with $1 million from USDA Forest Service core funding and is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Eligible applicants include public and state‑controlled higher education institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding higher‑education institutions), government organizations, and other nonprofit entities. Applicants must complete a series of pre‑award requirements (authentication, registration, pre‑qualification, fiscal and administrative risk assessment, and programmatic risk assessment) through the Illinois Grantee Portal. Indirect costs are allowed with no restrictions, and a matching contribution is required. The solicitation is a rolling, open‑ended grant opportunity with no fixed deadline, and awards are expected to be made throughout FY24. • Funding: $1,000,000 total, distributed among multiple awardees. • Eligible entities: public institutions, NGOs, government agencies. • Scope: technical assistance, financial support, and capacity‑building for urban forestry projects. • Requirements: full pre‑award compliance (SAM registration, UEI, etc.) and matching funds. • Contact: Michael Brunk (Agency Contact) for program details; Adrian Walker for application questions.