Philly Tree Coalition - Responsive Grant

Thanks to support from the William Penn Foundation, the Philly Tree Coalition will launch an additional round of Response Grants to help neighborhoods recover from the July 11, 2026 microbursts. The program will provide $90,000 for tree-related recovery and restoration efforts in West and South Philadelphia.

This is an additional funding opportunity and is separate from the Tree Forward grant and previous Storm Responsive Grant. Organizations that previously applied for funding through the Philly Tree Coalition are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Responsive Grant Timeline:

Application Opens: October 19, 2026 APPLY HERE

Info Session: Friday, October 23, 2026 from 12:00-1:00PM. REGISTER HERE

Application Closes: November 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. (Late applications will not be accepted.)

Notification of Award: December 2026

Project Period: Spring 2027 – Winter 2027 (Projects must be completed by December 31, 2027.)

If you have any questions about the RFP or need additional support, please contact phillytreecoalition@phmc.org. Questions will be accepted and answered on a rolling basis through November 13. Please allow up to two (2) business days for a response.

Previously Awarded Projects:

Friends of Wharton Square

Develop a professional planting plan that considers species selection, spacing, shade and nearby structures to guide the planting of 20 trees and five shrubs. The project will also include a community planting event and ongoing maintenance to help establish the new plantings and support long-term tree canopy recovery.

(fiscal sponsor: Point Breeze Business Association)

The Woodlands Trust for Historic Preservation

Continue storm recovery through stump removal, site remediation, and corrective pruning of storm-damaged trees with hazardous or weakened limbs. Funding will support the second phase of recovery, address remaining safety concerns and help restore the site's trees and grounds.

Reinhard Street Community Farm and Kitchen

Coordinate the removal of storm-damaged trees by a professional contractor, retaining useable tree materials for the farm. Community members will canvass neighbors to identify tree removal needs and organize a community workday to plant replacement trees, combining neighborhood recovery with community engagement.

Saint Monica Tree Tenders

Conduct a neighborhood tree risk assessment focused on mature trees potentially damaged by the storm. An arborist will identify hazardous limbs, structural damage, and signs of tree decline, and provide recommendations for pruning, monitoring, or removal. The project will also include public education to identify potential tree hazards and understand how to address them.

The Central Club for Boys and Girls

Restore the Mabel V. Wilson Memorial Garden through storm debris removal, assessment of surviving trees, and site clearing. Restoration will include repair of garden areas, improve soil and planting beds, replace damaged trees and vegetation, and identify infrastructure and maintenance needs to support the garden's long-term recovery as a community greenspace.

(fiscal sponsor: Philly Thrive)