Branching Out
A community grant program to plant trees and improve energy efficiency in Iowa
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Branching Out is a nationally-recognized grant program where Alliant Energy, Trees Forever and your community work together to fund and implement tree-planting projects. The program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community stewardship in Iowa. Since the start of the Branching Out program in 1989, more than 1.1 million trees and seedlings have been planted as part of 2,252 Iowa projects by a volunteer force of 115,588 people. Environmentally, the trees planted represent a kilowatt hour savings of 14,550,629 - or enough energy to power more than 1,500 average-size residential homes for one year. |
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Trees make a community beautiful. Apply for a Branching Out grant today!
Download the Branching Out application [PDF]
Eligibility
Branching Out is offered exclusively to Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. The utility provides grants of between $500 and $10,000 for community-based, tree-planting projects - like parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes, schools and more. Trees Forever administers and facilitates the program, providing educational and planning support.
How to apply
To apply for a Branching Out grant, complete an application form and submit a site plan and proposal letter that addresses ten key areas (see program guidelines on the application).
The process is competitive and preference is given to applicants that meet all guidelines.
Grant cycle and deadlines
Grants are awarded two times per year, to coincide with the spring and fall planting seasons. Proposal letters and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but are considered only in the next grant-making cycle (spring or fall). Your community may apply and receive funding for multiple projects in a single grant cycle.
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Grant Cycle |
Request Deadline |
Grants Announced |
Funding Awarded |
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Spring |
November 1 |
January 15 |
February 1-15 |
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Fall |
June 1 |
August 15 |
September 1-15 |
Send completed applications, proposal letters and site plans to:
Trees Forever
c/o Branching Out
770 7th Avenue
Marion, Iowa 52302
The Trees Forever staff is available to help you complete applications, develop a planting project, and plan a planting event. If you have questions, please call 1-800-369-1269, ext. 10.
Apply today! We look forward to working with you. Together, we can make Iowa communities more beautiful and energy efficient.
Branching Out by the numbers
Program achievements: (1989-2007) |
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1,136,256 |
Trees and seedlings planted |
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2,252 |
Total participating communities and projects |
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5,095,287 |
Population served |
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115,588 |
Volunteers involved |
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461,229 |
Volunteer hours contributed |
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$1,210,889 |
Gifts-in-kind donated |
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$759,129 |
Nursery discounts provided |
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49,472 |
Plantings on residential and commercial sites |
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16,495 |
Plantings on public sites |
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1,735 |
Plantings on school grounds |
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91% |
Tree survival rate |
Energy saved: (1989-2007) |
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101,928 |
Heating DTH |
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1,893,445 |
Heating kWh |
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12,657,184 |
Cooling kWh |
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14,550,629 |
Total kWh |
Environmental impact: (1989-2007) |
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97,774,392 |
Carbon pounds sequestered |
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167,739,704 |
Storm water gallons offset |
Economic impact: (1989-2007) |
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$1,813,882 |
Savings from storm water |
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$6,468,682 |
Increase in property values |
Research source: Dr. Greg McPherson, USDA Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research and Dr. Jan Thompson, Iowa State University, using Midwest data.