How to apply

Applications are submitted through WebGrants, an online grants portal. If you are new to WebGrants (you have never had an account before) you will need to create an account.

To submit an application: 

1. Thoroughly review the Notice of Funding Availability (PDF) and Criteria and Scoring Explanation (PDF).
2. Use the Scoring Factors Map (below) to find your community and identify census block groups meeting program goals.
3. Draft your responses using this Draft Application in Word document before copying them into WebGrants.
4. Develop your project timeline using the Project Timeline Template (Word Doc).
5. Complete your 3-Year Maintenance Plan worksheet (PDF Form) for newly planted trees.
6. Complete the Intended Tree Species List Form (PDF Form).
7. Use the Project Map and Site Guidance (PDF) to assist the creation of your:
   • Project Map (based on the Scoring Factors Map below) showing where activities will take place.
   • Project Site Spreadsheet (Excel) to identify the census block groups where project activity will occur. 
8. Complete and submit WebGrants online application form, uploading these documents (4-7 above).

The Scoring Factors Map is designed to help you identify tree planting projects that would address the priorities and criteria of this program. The map includes:
 

1. Highlighted census blocks that meet the community vulnerability program priority.
   Applications that focus on census block groups with high community vulnerability (defined as being in the 70^th percentile or higher on the Environmental Justice Screening Tool Supplemental Demographic Index) will be prioritized in review order and receive points through the evaluation criteria (see Criteria and Scoring Explanation).
2. Highlighted census blocks that meet the extreme heat standard used in evaluation criteria.
   Applications that focus on census block groups with residents experiencing extreme heat (defined as being in the 70^th percentile or higher for land surface temperature in the region) will receive points through the evaluation criteria.

It is possible that funds will be depleted funding applications in tier 1 or early in tier 2. Applicants are encouraged to focus projects on activities that meet both priorities (ash and SDI).

Learn more about the Scoring Factors Map and making your Project Map and Site Spreadsheet in the Project Map and Site Guidance (PDF).

Q: How accurate does my budget need to be? 

A: Try to make your budget as accurate as possible at this stage. We recognize that costs may change and that, in some instances, this may impact project scope. Should your project be funded, any changes to project scope, budget, or location must be communicated to the Met Council. Budget adjustments between items of up to 20% of the total budget are allowed without staff review, though must be communicated prior to reimbursement. Adjustments between line items that exceed 20% of the total budget will be reviewed first by staff. Any changes to scope, budget or locations that staff determine are significant changes to the original project (that may have made the project less competitive during the selection process), will require an amendment approval by Met Council’s Community Development Committee. 

Q: What if my project scope or project sites change after getting a grant? How accurate do my plans need to be at this stage?  

A: Our panel reviewers will be looking for evidence that projects are well-conceived, thoroughly planned, and of a realistic scope. Your project will be scored and reviewed based on your proposed sites and activities. Any changes to scope, budget or locations that staff determine are significant changes to the original project (that may have made the project less competitive during the selection process), will require an amendment approval by Met Council’s Community Development Committee before reimbursement for those changed activities. Throughout your project, communicate changes or challenges in advance to Met Council staff, so they can help you identify options and avoid surprise claim reimbursement denials.  

Q: Can this grant be used to fund staff positions?  

A: Yes, it could fund staff time directly related to eligible project activities, including site prep, tree removal, tree planting, and maintenance. Reimbursement requests will need to include documentation of staff hours and activities. Funds may not be used more broadly for planning or administration. 

Q: Does tree removal also include costs associated with disposal? 

A: Costs associated with those trees that have been removed with grant funding – including stump grinding and transportation of wood debris - are eligible uses of funds. However, stand-alone wood waste management and costs associated with trees removed with non-grant funding are not eligible grant activities.  

Q: Is ongoing maintenance during the grant period an eligible activity? 

A: Yes, maintenance during the grant period on trees planted using grant funds is an eligible activity.

Community Tree Planting Grants Webinar

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Join Met Council staff to learn about the 2025 Community Tree Planting Grant program. We will review program goals and priorities, scoring criteria, what makes a successful application, and answer questions. Register here.
 

Community Tree Planting Grants Webinar

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Join Met Council staff to learn about the 2025 Community Tree Planting Grant program. We will review program goals and priorities, scoring criteria, what makes a successful application, and answer questions. Register here.
 

How do I register?
If you have never had an account in WebGrants before, register here. You don’t need to create a new account if you have had one in the past, even if you have changed roles or are working with a different organization. Just email [email protected] to let us know that you need your account updated and she will help you. Erin can help check your registration information but cannot create new accounts for users. 

• If multiple people within your organization are helping complete the online application, send [email protected] a list of everyone who will do this before the project team registers. This will help her quickly assign any new team members to the right agency/organization account.

How do I start an application?
Once you log in you can search for different funding opportunities. Search for and select 2025 Community Tree Planting Grants. You will then be able to start a new application.

I am working with a team. Who should be the primary contact?
The application’s primary contact should be the project manager from the government organization that will respond to questions and updates throughout the application and review process. If awarded funding, you can change your primary project contact if useful.

Can I save a section and come back?
No, WebGrants doesn’t save sections until they are complete. You don’t need to complete the entire application at once, but you do need to complete the page you are working on before saving and exiting. Use the Draft Application in Word document to help you draft responses outside of WebGrants.

NOTE: Many questions have a character limit for length (which includes spaces). Be sure to check your character limits before pasting into WebGrants so that you don’t lose content in the transition.

Why can’t I type in the field it’s asking me to answer?
In some cases, WebGrants requires that you save one section within a page before moving to the next section. If you’re unable to enter information where it seems you should be able to, look for a SAVE or EDIT button at either the top right of the page, or the top right of a section. This should resolve the issue.

What format should my required attachments be in?
Submit everything as a PDF document, with the only exception being the Project Site Spreadsheet, which should be submitted as an Excel document.

After grants are awarded, the grants administration team is here to help grantees:

• to execute the grant agreement
• request reimbursement claims
• submit semi-annual project status reports
• discuss project changes, and when needed, process grant amendments
• close out the grant, and provide evidence of deliverables.

All grantees will be responsible for submitting evidence of expenses toward the project and documenting actions and deliverables throughout. This will be done in the form of reimbursement claims, semi-annual reports, and grant close-out reporting.

Council staff will reach out to schedule an orientation meeting after grants have been awarded.
 

Grant Administration Resources (coming soon)

In the coming weeks, this page will include the following:

• The Community Tree Planting Grant Administration Guide will outline the requirements for each step of this process.
• Reimbursement Claim Form
• Semi-annual Report Form
• Closeout Form

Communication

Submit a claim in WebGrants

For questions about reimbursement and reporting or to discuss changes to your project, contact Erin Brueggemann (Erin.Brueggemann@metc.state.mn.us).