The new round will provide $90,000 for tree-related recovery and restoration efforts in West and South Philadelphia.
Eligible nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups working with a fiscal sponsor are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is November 16.
A webinar for prospective applicants will be held on October 23 at Noon.
More information, including eligibility requirements and timelines, is available at the Responsive Grants webpage.
The Philly Tree Coalition just awarded its first round of Responsive Grants recovery funding, which includes five awards of $5,000 each to community-based organizations for projects addressing tree damage caused by the July 11, 2026, microbursts.
Funding supports tree hazard mitigation, storm debris removal, replacement planting, and restoration of community green spaces.
Projects will be implemented from Fall 2026 through Spring 2027, combining immediate recovery activities with community engagement and supporting longer-term urban tree canopy resilience.
“Philly neighborhoods lost significant trees during the storm. The loss of a mature tree is difficult to recover in our lifetime, but we can plan a path to recover lost canopy, preserve the trees we have and plant more trees for the future,” said Kiasha Huling, Director of the Philly Tree Coalition. “We are eager to provide the resources for residents to care for our tree canopy. PTC is grateful to the awarded organizations for their thoughtful work as excellent stewards of our trees."
The Philly Tree Coalition has awarded its first round of Responsive Grants to The Woodlands Trust for Historic Preservation, Friends of Wharton Square, Reinhard Street Community Farm and Kitchen, Saint Monica Tree Tenders, and The Central Club for Boys and Girls.
Below is a list of the awarded projects:
-- 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.
-- Friends of Wharton Square (fiscal sponsor: Point Breeze Business Association): 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.
-- Reinhard Street Community Farm and Kitchen: Coordinate the removal of storm-damaged trees by a professional contractor, retaining usable 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 (fiscal sponsor: Philly Thrive): 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.
If you are an organization or individual impacted by the storm, you can email us directly at phillytreecoalition@phmc.org to report your damages, issues and/or loss.
Visit the Philly Tree Coalition website for more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved.
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NewsClips:
-- Warren Times: Allegheny National Forest Plans 38 Acre Prescribed Burn Near Buckaloons Recreation Area
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[Posted: October 20, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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