The mini-grant is flexible and should reflect the needs of the local Tree Steward group. Past grants have provided funding for:

• Startup costs for new groups, meeting costs of training classes, purchasing trees to plant;
• Purchasing tools for members such as gloves, clippers, saws, clinometers, etc.;
• Purchasing a tent with TS logo for community events, creating tree tags;
• Assistance with purchasing laptop and projector, purchasing pamphlets from ISA;
• Reprinting pamphlets and posters in public domain, etc.;
• The grant may be used for a one-time project such as an Arbor Day celebration or ongoing events such as workdays or tree information tables at farmers markets, fairs, etc.

Applications are due September 30, 2023. Award amounts will be announced in October 2022. Mini grant activities and purchases must occur between October 15 and June 1, 2024. The Reporting Form must be submitted by June 1, 2024 and the reimbursement check will be sent after all expenses are approved and verified.

This is a reimbursement grant – the group must spend the funds requested first, and only after the Reporting Form is submitted will a refund check be sent. Money flow strategies used by other Tree Steward groups include a member purchasing the item on a credit card and accepting reimbursement later, members donating funds for the initial purchase and then using the reimbursement check to increase the groups’ funds, paying for the items from the group’s checking account and then repaying the account. Checks may be written to the Tree Steward organization or to an individual member with appropriate documentation. Receipts must be received for all expenses that are associated with the project. If necessary for larger projects, a partial reimbursement can be requested while the project is still ongoing.

Trees Virginia Board members will decide in October. Those groups who have not received mini-grants in the past two years will be considered before past awardees. Priority will be given to applications for newly formed or start-up units. In addition, priority will be given to Tree Steward Groups that annually report volunteer hours to Trees Virginia through June 30 each year.

You can download the PDF form online. Download the Reporting Form PDF here.

Contact Martha Orton, Tree Steward Liaison on the Trees Virginia Board at 434.293.9809, martha.orton@gmail.com.