Faith in Place Offers Up to $30k in Grants for Tree Planting, Workforce Projects Across Midwest (Chicago, IL) – A regional nonprofit is launching a new round of grant funding aimed at expanding tree canopy coverage, lowering energy costs and creating workforce opportunities in underserved communities across the Midwest.
Faith in Place, a Chicago-based environmental advocacy organization, announced that applications open April 13 for its Tree Canopy & Workforce Community Grant. The program will award up to $30,000 per project to nonprofits and houses of worship in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
The initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and represents the second round of funding in a broader $1.6 million regranting effort. This round will distribute approximately $466,000 to between 16 and 20 projects focused on community-based environmental improvements and job training.
Program leaders say tree planting offers both environmental and economic benefits, particularly in neighborhoods with limited green space.
“Well-placed trees are some of the most practical and powerful investments we can make in our communities,” said the Rev. Brian Sauder, president and CEO of Faith in Place. “They clean our air, cool our neighborhoods and create pathways to meaningful work.”
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and houses of worship located in low-income census tracts or priority areas with limited tree canopy coverage. Organizations that received funding in the program’s first round may apply again.
Grant funds can be used for a range of project costs, including tree purchases, watering supplies, site preparation, staffing and signage. Projects are also expected to incorporate workforce development components, such as hands-on training and pathways to green jobs, including for individuals reentering the workforce.
“This is community-led work, and these grants give local organizations the resources to plant and care for trees where they are needed most,” said Elena Canler, chief operating officer of Faith in Place. “They create opportunities for people to build skills, strengthen relationships and grow long-term resilience in their communities.”
Applications close May 7, with grant recipients expected to be announced June 4. Selected projects will begin later in 2026 and continue through 2029, with ongoing maintenance and community engagement requirements.
More information and application materials are available on the Faith in Place website.
Faith in Place Offers Up to $30k in Grants for Tree Planting, Workforce Projects Across Midwest
