About the Mini-Grant: Thanks to support from The Home Depot Foundation, the USDA Forest Service, and the National Tree Trust, the Alliance for Community Trees is able to offer extra support for local NeighborWoods Month events. The purpose of the NeighborWoods Month Mini-Grant is to help nonprofit tree groups make their NeighborWoods Month events more visible and successful. Grants should enable you to raise awareness and visibility for your event, rather than be the determining factor in whether you organize an event. Eligible events involve the public during October in tree planting, tree care, education, and other activity that engages people in urban and community forestry. Envision the mini-grant as a way to accomplish something extra to promote your events.

Eligible Uses: Suggested uses include:
* Order printed posters, banners, T-shirts, and other promotional items.
* Pay for a media service to disseminate press releases to get coverage for your event. (One example is U.S. Newswire)
* Hire a professional photographer or videographer.
* Purchase newspaper or radio ads.
* Create awards or recognition for elected leaders, volunteers, or partners involved in your events.

Ineligible Uses: Grant funds are not permitted to be used for:
* Personnel, including salaries and benefits.
* General office expenses, equipment, capital expenses, and overhead.
* Plant materials and planting supplies.
* Food.

Available Funding: Nonprofit ACT member organizations are eligible for up to $500 in cash assistance for one or more NeighborWoods Month events during October. You have likely already ordered your free gear. You may also apply your Mini-Grant to order additional gear (NeighborWoods Month posters, banners, door hangers, t-shirts, and kids' activity cards). Grants will be awarded on a first come-first served rolling basis.

Grant Requirements:
* Eligible organizations must be active ACT members. If your organization is not a member, join now by clicking here.
* A minimum 1:1 in-kind or cash non-federal match is required. Staff time and volunteer time (valued at $20.85/hour) may be reported as matching support.
* Electronic outreach- including organization websites and e-newsletters- should display one of the NeighborWoods web banners or ribbons located at: http://neighborwoodsmonth.org/ribbons.html.
* Printed materials- including press releases, Tshirts, other promotional materials, advertisements, etc., should include both the NeighborWoods and Home Depot Foundation logos. They are available in JPG format at neighborwoodsmonth.org/logos. A copy of each of the materials should be forwarded to ACT.
* Spoken materials- including radio or voice advertisements- should credit: "This NeighborWoods Month event is made possible through support from The Home Depot Foundation." A copy of each of the materials should be forwarded to ACT.

Application Deadline: To ensure financial assistance and materials arrive timely, please make your request by September 15, 2010. After this date, call to confirm logistics.

Application Procedure: Complete the online application and submit it with a copy of page one of your 501c3 determination letter via fax or email. If ACT already has your letter on file, you do not need to resubmit it.) Completed applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

Reimbursement: Your promotional materials will be shipped immediately. The cash portion of the Mini-Grant will be paid on a reimbursement basis as long as you meet the Grant Requirements. Also, a post-event survey will be required to confirm results, including the match.