How will grant proposals be evaluated?
Project proposals will be evaluated on whether or not the information provided about the project indicates that the project:
- Meets a demonstrated urban forestry need for underserved communities
- Meets Georgia ReLeaf Program Objectives
- Has a realistic time frame for completion
- Is cost effective
- Has documented cash and in-kind matching commitment if applicable
- Has a planting plan with appropriate species for plantings
- Has a maintenance plan for plantings
- Enhances volunteer involvement
- Involves various partnerships
- Utilizes personnel that have qualifications to complete activities
- Generates local visibility, incorporates public relations and awareness
- Enhances environmental, social, cultural, historical, psychological and economical values
- Shows demonstrated ability of the applicant to follow through on project completion
Application guidelines
Funding
Georgia ReLeaf funding can only be used to purchase trees, staking and/or watering materials. Installation costs such as equipment rental or contract services may be paid out of grant funds if required for project completion.
Matches
- If 100% of the project is serving a disadvantaged community, your project is eligible to be fully funded. Verification of the project’s location on the CEJST tool must be provided along with a written explanation of how the project will impact a disadvantaged community.
- Projects that require a funding match may use cash matches and/or in-kind contributions.
- Cash match includes direct, out-of-pocket expenditures for eligible project activities.
- In-kind contributions include donated supplies or equipment usage, the value of employee/staff time (including fringe benefits), donated professional services at the professional rate, or time spent by volunteers on eligible project activities. To determine the average dollar value of adult volunteer labor, refer to https://independentsector.org/resource/value-of-volunteer-time/ For children, use the Federal minimum wage as a standard.
- If part of your match is being provided by another organization, you must provide a letter of support from that organization.
- Assistance provided by Federal employees or Georgia Forestry Commission staff may not be claimed as part of the match.
- All matching funds must be specifically related to the proposed project and cannot be used as match on any other Federal cost-share project. The source of the match, cash and in-kind, must be identified and quantified in the application by uploading letters of intended support. Funds expended prior to the date of the grant agreement cannot be used as match.
Final Report
- Grantees will be sent a required final report form through their Submittable account
- list of project expenses with attached Invoices/receipts invoices/receipts for the approved Georgia ReLeaf-covered expenses
- Before and after photos (attached in .jpg)
- summary of completed project
- Document your match by providing copies of volunteer sign-in sheets, staff time records, invoices, receipts, letters of donation, etc.(if applicable)
- Zip codes for tree giveaway recipients (if applicable)
- Tree planting locations (if applicable)
