increase urban trees in Philadelphia – Oct 23

Posted by William Penn Foundation on September 30, 2025

William Penn Foundation invites applications to increase urban trees in Philadelphia

William Penn Foundation (WPF) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has issued a request for proposals to increase urban trees in Philadelphia.

A comprehensive assessment of Philadelphia’s tree canopy conducted in 2018 found that 6 percent of the city’s canopy—the part of the land that is covered by tree leaves and branches from a bird’s-eye view—was lost over the previous decade. The assessment also illustrated the inequitable distribution of trees. Tree canopy covers 20 percent of all land across the city, but this ranges from less than 5 percent in some areas to more than 45 percent in others. Areas with fewer trees and less tree canopy tend to be lower-income and Black and Brown-majority neighborhoods that are also beset by other inequities. The quality-of-life implications can be profound, as these areas often experience higher temperatures—sometimes up to a 22 degree disparity—and have worse physical and mental health outcomes.

In response to these findings, the city launched a process to develop its first-ever strategic plan to make tree coverage more robust, equitable, and sustainable. Released in 2023 and informed by input from more than 9,000 residents, the Philly Tree Plan established a 10-year strategy for the equitable growth and care of Philadelphia’s urban forest. Based on key environmental and socioeconomic factors, the plan identified seven areas where an increase in tree canopy can provide the most benefit and recommends prioritizing these areas for investments to grow and care for the urban forest.

The foundation seeks to support efforts that will grow and sustain Philadelphia’s urban forest. Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, the foundation recognizes that making significant progress on the objective is difficult and encourages organizations to include partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise to reach proposed goals.

The foundation also recognizes that multiple strategies can contribute to increasing the number of trees in Philadelphia by 2035 and welcomes a wide range of approaches in response to this RFP. This includes, but is not limited to, proposals that focus on tree planting and establishment care, including along streets and in parks and private yards; reducing physical, economic, and social barriers to new trees and increasing community trust; expanding the capacity to plant and care for trees through workforce development and volunteer engagement; and advocating for policy or funding changes that increase tree planting and establishment care citywide, with significant impact in priority areas.

While this RFP invites proposals that support activity in addition to tree planting, as these examples indicate, all proposals should articulate a clear connection between the proposed activities and the foundation’s objective of adding 35,000 trees in priority areas of the Philly Tree Plan by 2035.

WPF requests proposals for up to three years of funding. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of organizations. WPF has $2.5 million available to advance this objective through this RFP.

Applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) public charities or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Public charities include community-based organizations, schools and educational institutions, and other types of public-serving groups. Government entities are also eligible to apply. Proposed projects must occur in Philadelphia. Additionally, proposed projects must demonstrate impact in one or more of the Philly Tree Plan’s Priority Areas.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the William Penn Foundation website.

Deadline: October 23, 2025