FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2026

PR Contact:
Emily White, ewhite@mavenagency.com

PHMC Announces 2026 “Tree Forward” Grant Awards to Support Community-Led Urban Forestry Projects Across Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA (February 2, 2026) – Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is pleased to announce the selection of 10 organizations to receive nearly $300,000 in funding through the 2026 Tree Forward initiative, a grant program for community-based organizations to carry out projects that advance the Philly Tree Plan in ways that reflect each neighborhood’s unique needs.

The Philly Tree Plan is a 10-year strategic framework designed to equitably grow and care for
Philadelphia’s urban forest. Developed in response to canopy loss and unequal access to trees,
the plan centers community engagement and climate resilience, with the goal of ensuring that
all residents can benefit from the health, environmental, and social value of trees.

“We’re proud to select a group of grantees whose Tree Forward projects reflect deep
engagement with the neighborhoods they serve and a strong commitment to expanding
equitable access to tree care and resources in their communities,” said Deepa Mankikar, senior director of public health programs at PHMC.

Tree Forward, a key component of the Philly Tree Plan, advances environmental equity through
funding and technical assistance. It supports community-based organizations working to
increase tree canopy coverage, promote long-term tree care and stewardship, create workforce
development opportunities, and expand access to the benefits of trees.

2026 Tree Forward Grantee Organizations and Funded Projects:

  • Riverfront North Partnership: plant and maintain trees along the Port Richmond Trail, enhancing tree canopy coverage and ecological health.
  • The Woodlands Trust for Historic Preservation: prune and plant trees throughout the historic cemetery and create educational signage highlighting the value of trees.
  • Olney Culture Lab of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia: develop new music compositions and soundscapes inspired by Tacony Creek Park and residents’ relationships with trees, leading to two live performances.
  • Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks: execute tree care and maintenance, including care for the property’s landmark Ginkgo tree.
  • Klean Kensington: launch a paid teen tree-tending cohort and lead a neighborhood campaign promoting positive relationships with street trees.
  • Friends of Carpenter’s Woods: develop the Cool Down Northwest Philly project to nurture and grow the tree canopy by bringing together tree tender groups in Northwest Philly to collaborate, communicate, canvas and care.
  • Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership: develop an urban forestry workforce program and expand community access to a newly established nature preserve.
  • Philly Tree People: pilot a Tree Planting Program for community green spaces and a Youth Tree Tender Training Program to foster better environmental stewardship.
  • Philly Thrive: develop a Green Jobs for Grays Ferry program, connecting with community leaders and developers to foster collaboration and opportunities for green job pathways.
  • Heritage CDC: plant and steward trees across high-need blocks in partnership with local nonprofits, integrating youth workforce development, resident stewardship, and trauma-informed community education.

Following a competitive application process, the Tree Forward review committee – a diverse
group of subject matter experts based across the city – selected the grantees, with individual
awards ranging from $15,000 to $40,000. The grant period runs from January through
December 2026. The Tree Forward initiative plans to announce another RFP later this year.

Tree Forward is administered by PHMC with support from Philly Tree Plan partners, including
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society, PowerCorpsPHL, the School District of Philadelphia, and the Sustainable Business
Network of Greater Philadelphia.

To learn more about the Philly Tree Plan and future Tree Forward funding opportunities, visit
www.phmc.org/program/philly-tree-plan.

About Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC)
PHMC is the largest health and human services organization in the region and the public health institute for Pennsylvania and Delaware. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.

About Philly Tree Plan
In 2023, the City of Philadelphia released the Philly Tree Plan, the first-ever 10-year strategic
plan for the equitable growth and care of the city’s urban forest. The Philly Tree Plan recognizes
trees as essential public health infrastructure, critical for reducing urban heat, improving air
quality, supporting mental and social well-being, and strengthening neighborhood resilience in
the face of climate change. The plan prioritizes seven neighborhoods that have experienced
historic disinvestment and that have the lowest tree canopy coverage and highest summer
temperatures. The long-term goal is to achieve 30% canopy cover in every neighborhood. For
more information on the Philly Tree Plan, visit https://www.phila.gov/programs/philly-tree-plan/.

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