2026-065-E-County Mgr-Trees for the Triangle-Tree Planting and Education

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D19. Does your project accelerate or expand on existing programs that already show positive impact? (150 word limit) Yes. This project expands on Trees for the Triangle’s proven Pay-W hat- You-Can tree planting model, successfully implemented in other Triangle counties, by establishing it as a targeted initiative in Orange County neighborhoods with low Tree Equity Scores, high heat exposure, and elevated social vulnerability. The grant will enable us to refine and expand outreach, engagement, and educational materials that explain the benefits of urban trees, tree care best practices, and how residents can participate. These resources can be adapted for use in other counties, allowing the program to grow into a regional model. The success of this expanded initiative - measured through canopy gains, community participation, and resident satisfaction - will strengthen our case for future funding to replicate the program in additional underserved areas. By building on a track record of impact, this project accelerates environmental and social benefits while ensuring long-term sustainability across the Triangle. D20. Does your project take advantage of other funding sources? If yes, please describe. (150 word limit) TftT actively seeks additional funding sources through our Board of Directors’ Grants Coordinator and Grants & Fundraising Committee to strengthen and expand our programs. Our Pay-W hat-You-Can model generates some revenue from well-resourced residents who “pay it forward,” but this alone is not sufficient to fully fund program management, community workshops, and seedling giveaways. This grant is critical to ensuring that financial barriers are eliminated for lower-income households in Orange County while enabling us to scale impact through targeted planting in high-need areas. It will also help us deliver high-quality educational materials and maintain professional arborist oversight to ensure tree survival and long-term benefits. W ith many federal environmental programs experiencing funding reductions and restrictions, local initiatives like ours can fill the gap - ensuring that urban canopy expansion continues equitably. Success from this grant will also position us to attract future philanthropic, corporate, and government funding for ongoing and regional expansion. D21. W ould your proposed project help you to take advantage of funding from other sources besides this grant in the future? (250 word limit) Yes. This project is designed to use this grant as a springboard for attracting additional funding from diverse sources. W hile this grant is the primary funding source for the Orange County Pay-W hat-You-Can program, it will provide measurable outcomes - such as the number of trees planted, seedlings distributed, workshops delivered, and canopy improvements in high-need areas - that can be showcased to future funders. W e will leverage these results in applications to other local, regional, and national grant programs, and in outreach to corporate sponsors, foundations, and individual donors. Our communications strategy includes sharing project impact through our website, social media, newsletter, and community events to build credibility and donor confidence. Docusign Envelope ID: CB1A7685-96B7-4FBD-80E0-8CF756D5E579