How to Apply
Community Trees

The Home Depot Foundation makes grants to 501(c)3 tax exempt public charities in the United States and to charitable organizations in Canada.  Support is given to programs and projects that align with the Foundation's mission and grant criteria.

To better support its mission, The Home Depot Foundation awards most of its grants by directly soliciting proposals from high-performing nonprofit organizations with the demonstrated ability to create strong partnerships, impact multiple communities and leverage grant resources.  In order to identify potential future nonprofit partners or respond to unique community opportunities, a limited amount of funding is set aside to be awarded through a competitive process.

Preference is given to proposals that result in community engagement that:

  • Incorporate trees and landscape into the community development plans of neighborhoods as part of the infrastructure to control stormwater runoff, create a sense of place, and provide shaded recreational opportunities
  • Incorporate the strategic use of trees and landscape to reduce utility bills, provide connectivity and reduce the "heat island" effect created by increased buildings and impervious surfaces
  • Educate and engage citizens about the important role trees play to our overall health, economic success and social well being of our communities

To maximize the impact of Foundation resources, The Home Depot Foundation only funds organizations and programs that meet the established grant criteria  and provide all information requested in the Application.  In order to access the Application, an applicant must pass the Eligibility Test.  The Eligibility Test is intended to notify applicants that their organizations or programs do not meet the Foundation's grant criteria without requiring applicants to spend the time and resources necessary to complete the full Application.  Due to the high volume of requests received, not every request that matches Foundation guidelines will receive funding.   

All requests are reviewed based on the Application Timeline below and all applicants are notified in writing of grant decisions accordingly. 

The Foundation will consider only one proposal from the same organization in a calendar year.

Application Timeline for 2008

LOI’s received by Full proposals received by Will be notified in
November 1, 2007 January 15, 2008 April
March 1, 2008 May 15, 2008 August
July 1, 2008   September 15, 2008 December

Applying for Funding

Please follow the steps below for the next grant cycle:

STEP 1: Review the Community Trees program information above to determine whether your organization or program is eligible under our criteria.

STEP 2: Review the FAQs.

STEP 3: Take the Community Trees Eligibility Test. Click here to go to the Eligibility Test.

STEP 4: If you pass the Eligibility Test, you will be able to gain access to the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) questionnaire. The questionnaire asks you specific questions about the project for which you are seeking funding. Complete and submit the LOI online by the deadline. Foundation staff will review your LOI submission for alignment with Foundation goals, interests and competitiveness. LOIs received after the deadline will not be reviewed and declined.

STEP 5: If your LOI is approved, which you will be notified of within 2–4 weeks after the deadline, you will be instructed to submit a full proposal.  Foundation staff will provide you information regarding how to access an online full application.  Full applications must be completed and submitted online by the full proposal deadline listed above.

For additional questions regarding your online application, see Application Help

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