What Arbor Day Foundation does

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization founded in 1972 and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Its mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees, and since founding it has planted more than 500 million trees across 60+ countries via a network of 5,400+ local planting partners. The Foundation runs a portfolio of branded programs including Tree City USA, Tree Campus Healthcare, Tree Campus K-12, Tree Campus Higher Education, Community Tree Recovery, Arbor Day Carbon (carbon sequestration), the Alliance for Community Trees, and the Excessive Heat Program targeting urban heat islands.

Its technology stack centers on TreeCanopy.US, a nationwide software platform co-developed with the USDA Forest Service and PlanIT Geo that maps and monitors community tree canopy, supplemented by a partnership with NatureQuant that layers satellite imagery and image-recognition data, and a proprietary Tree Equity Index that identifies neighborhoods with the greatest planting need. The Foundation does not disclose pricing; its revenue model is donation- and membership-driven, supplemented by corporate partnership programs (Carrier, P&G/Charmin, Home Depot, Champion Homes, Subaru, NBCUniversal, Peanuts Worldwide), grants (Salesforce $1.2M, Graphic Packaging $500K over five years), utility-company tree-distribution collaborations (Duke Energy, Eversource, PSEG, Ameren), municipal contracts, and direct e-commerce sales of approximately 200 tree and shrub varieties plus merchandise at shop.arborday.org. Customers and beneficiaries span individual members, local communities, healthcare facilities, K-12 and higher-education campuses, utilities, municipalities, and large corporate sustainability programs across the U.S. and select international geographies (Brazil, India, Kenya).

Name

Arbor Day Foundation

Legal name

Arbor Day Foundation

Website

https://arborday.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL), Tree Planting & Establishment Services (Manual/Mechanized) (AFAMACAE), Tree Planting & Transplanting (HSAIADAE)

Keywords

• Tree planting nonprofit
• Conservation services
• Urban forestry programs
• Disaster recovery reforestation
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Nebraska City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that plants trees at global scale through a network of 5,400+ local partners, delivering community tree planting, urban heat mitigation, disaster recovery reforestation, carbon sequestration (Arbor Day Carbon), and recognition programs (Tree City USA, Tree Campus Healthcare, Tree Campus K-12, Tree Campus Higher Education). It funds this work through donations, memberships, corporate partnerships, and merchandise/tree sales from its online nursery.

Product overview

The Arbor Day Foundation operates as a global nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of tree-planting programs and community forestry initiatives. The core offerings include disaster recovery programs (Community Tree Recovery, Natural Disaster Recovery), recognition programs (Tree City USA, Tree Campus Healthcare, Tree Campus K-12, Tree Campus Higher Education), and environmental tools (TreeCanopy.US platform, Tree Equity Index). The Foundation also runs carbon sequestration (Arbor Day Carbon), excessive heat mitigation initiatives, and an online nursery shop. Key programs like the Unearthing Optimism podcast and the Trees for the Win campaign engage supporters. The organization connects its vast network of over 5,400 planting partners to deliver trees to communities worldwide, having planted over 500 million trees since 1972.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Time for Trees: Initiative launched in March 2019 with goal to plant 100 million trees by Arbor Day 2022
• TreeCanopy.US
• Unearthing Optimism

Products and services

• TreeCanopy.US A browser-based software platform that provides interactive maps showing current tree cover and how it has changed over time across U.S. communities, used to target tree-planting and measure impact.
• Tree City USA A recognition program that empowers communities nationwide to care for trees and one another, providing a framework for urban forestry management.
• Tree Campus Healthcare A national recognition program celebrating healthcare facilities that use trees as a tool for community wellness, requiring facilities to meet five standards including advisory committees, tree care plans, community projects, education events, and financial investment.
• Tree Campus K-12 A recognition program involving students, teachers, and neighborhoods in creating greener, cleaner schools through tree planting and education.
• Tree Campus Higher Education A recognition program empowering colleges and universities to build a community around trees.
• Community Tree Recovery A disaster recovery program created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to help rebuild communities after natural disasters by distributing trees to affected homeowners.
• Natural Disaster Recovery Program Long-term tree planting and care program helping communities and forest lands restore canopy after hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters.
• Excessive Heat Program Strategic initiative using a data-informed approach combining science, local expertise, and long-term impact focus to establish healthy urban canopies and combat extreme heat.
• Arbor Day Carbon A carbon forestry program that plants trees to sequester carbon and support climate goals for individuals and organizations.
• Alliance for Community Trees A network and program supporting community-based tree planting organizers across the U.S.
• Arbor Day Shop (Nursery and Merchandise) Online nursery offering approximately 200 varieties of trees and shrubs, commemorative tree dedications, and branded merchandise that gives back to the planet.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trees can cool neighborhoods by up to 10°F
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EversourcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Eversource distributes hundreds of free trees to customers in Dover and Merrimack, New Hampshire through an interactive online portal. Trees are selected based on mature height to prevent interference with power lines.
• Champion HomescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Champion Homes has planted nearly 2 million trees in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation since 2021, completing 51 tree planting projects across the U.S. and Canada. The company maintains a policy of planting one tree for every one used in home construction.
• AmerencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Ameren received the 2026 Tree Line USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. The utility company releases annual Arbor Day tree-planting guidance and provides year-round vegetation management services.
• Edgewell Personal Care CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Edgewell Personal Care celebrates five years of partnership, having funded the planting of over 100,000 trees to restore more than 140 acres of forest in the Polylepis forest of South America, supporting biodiversity including over 50 hummingbird species.
• Peanuts WorldwidecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Five-year partnership celebrating with Empire State Building lighting. Together they have planted more than 141,000 trees, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Peanuts animated special 'It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown.'
• Carrier Global CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Carrier has planted 1,009,514 trees in 2025 toward its pledge of 5 million trees by 2030 through collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation. Projects span the Amazon Rainforest, Cauvery River Basin in India, farmland in Kenya, and California wildfire-damaged forestland.
• Well PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Well People partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 25,380 trees in California wildfire-affected regions, specifically supporting Dixie Fire restoration efforts.
• Procter & Gamble / CharmincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026P&G and Charmin extended partnership committing to plant an additional 1 million trees by 2030, building on 1 million trees already planted between 2020-2025. Focus on areas impacted by wildfires and hurricanes.
• Bill NyeminorOthers · 20 April 2026Bill Nye 'The Science Guy' appeared as guest on the Arbor Day Foundation's 'Unearthing Optimism' podcast in its fourth episode, joining CEO Dan Lambe in conversation.
• Origins (Skincare Brand)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Origins partnership expands Green The Planet initiative through urban reforestation in climate-vulnerable communities and investment in next-generation sustainability leaders, including college student mentorships and Tree Campus Jumpstart Stipends.
• Subaru of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Subaru nationwide tree giveaway of 65,000 trees through nearly 600 retailers as part of Subaru Loves the Earth initiative. The largest corporate community tree distribution effort in the nonprofit's history.
• PSEG Long IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026PSEG Long Island distributes free trees throughout Long Island and the Rockaways for Earth Month to promote environmental sustainability and energy savings.
• Clark County Department of Environment & SustainabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2026Clark County's Community Canopy Project distributing 2,300 drought-resistant trees to combat urban heat island effect in Southern Nevada, part of Stay Cool Clark County program targeting 9,000 trees by 2026.
• Jane Goodall Institute USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2026Jane Goodall Institute USA Executive Director Anna Rathmann featured on 'Unearthing Optimism' podcast discussing conservation journey and insights from Dr. Jane Goodall.
• Amigos de los RioscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 2 February 2026Local planting partner that collaborated with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees at Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary School in Los Angeles County, one year after the devastating 2025 Eaton Fire.
• Duke Energy FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Duke Energy Florida gives away 1,000 free trees to customers as part of 'Right Tree, Right Place' program. Has distributed more than 15,000 trees since 2017.
• 1 HotelscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 20251 Hotels' Mission Membership loyalty program plants one tree for each new membership through the Arbor Day Foundation partnership, donating 1% of qualifying stays to environmental nonprofits.
• Graphic Packaging InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Five-year partnership contributing $500,000 to support large-scale reforestation and urban forestry projects, involving employee participation in planting and distribution activities.
• The Home DepotcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025Home Depot partnership to reforest 2,000 acres by 2028. First 500+ acres focus on restoring endangered longleaf pine habitats in Florida and Texas, rebuilding biodiversity in Brazil's Amazon and Atlantic forests.
• NatureQuantcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership providing exclusive data sets that combine public data, satellite imagery, and image-recognition software to quantify neighborhood access to nature and identify heat-vulnerable areas.
• USDA Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership spanning 30 years for forest restoration and management. USDA Forest Service and PlanIT Geo co-developed TreeCanopy.US platform with the Arbor Day Foundation.
• PlanIT GeocoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with the Arbor Day Foundation and USDA Forest Service to create TreeCanopy.US, the first nationwide software platform for assessing and monitoring community tree canopy.
• The Davey Tree Expert CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive professional partner for Tree Campus Healthcare program. Davey Tree's expertise in sustainability and urban forestry helps partner healthcare facilities achieve Tree Campus Healthcare recognition.
• Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on Tree Campus Healthcare program, supporting healthcare facilities in community forestry initiatives.
• Practice GreenhealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on Tree Campus Healthcare program, supporting sustainability in healthcare through tree planting and community engagement.
• The Outdoor CirclecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal planting partner in Lahaina for community tree distribution and planting following the devastating 2023 wildfires.
• TreeCoverycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal planting partner in Lahaina for wildfire recovery tree planting efforts.
• Royal Lahaina ResortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to host community tree distribution event in Lahaina on the second anniversary of the fires.
• Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNonprofit on a mission to create a more resilient New Orleans through reforesting its tree canopy. Has planted nearly 11,000 trees with the support of the Arbor Day Foundation in neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
• Florida Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to mobilize communities and replant hope following Hurricane Michael. Corporate partners FedEx, International Paper, Verizon, and Texas Roadhouse helped kick off the Florida Tree Recovery Campaign.
• Groundwork BridgeportcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal nonprofit partner facilitating tree giveaways in Bridgeport, Connecticut as part of the 'Cool Corridors' initiative.
• Trees MattercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal nonprofit committed to increasing tree coverage in Phoenix led tree-planting effort in Villa Verde neighborhood, planting more than 30 trees with volunteers and residents.
• AT&TminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting tree planting at Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary School in Los Angeles County following the 2025 Eaton Fire.
• Fera PetsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting Eaton Fire recovery tree planting at Los Angeles-area school.
• SeyfarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting Eaton Fire recovery tree planting at Los Angeles-area school.
• Niagara CaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting Eaton Fire recovery tree planting at Los Angeles-area school.
• Edward JonesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting Eaton Fire recovery tree planting at Los Angeles-area school.
• NBCUniversalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner12-year partnership for Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. For each of the 50,000 bulbs on the tree, NBC commits to planting one tree (50,000 trees total) to rehabilitate areas impacted by hurricanes and wildfires.
• Quilted NortherncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to plant two million trees together, contributing to reforestation and biodiversity protection efforts.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Forests: The oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the U.S. (founded 1875), focused on forest restoration, urban forestry, and tree equity. Direct peer in mission-driven forest conservation, urban canopy work, and Tree Equity-style prioritization.
• Eden Reforestation Projects: A 501(c)(3) employing local communities to plant millions of trees in deforested regions across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Direct peer in mission-driven reforestation, employment-based planting model, and disaster/ecosystem restoration focus.
• One Tree Planted: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit exclusively focused on global reforestation, partnering with local planting organizations across 80+ countries. Direct peer in tree-planting nonprofit model, donor and corporate partnership structure, and per-donation planting pitch.
• Trees for the Future: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on training farmers in sustainable agroforestry and planting millions of trees in sub-Saharan Africa. Direct peer in tree-planting mission, donor sponsorship model, and global agricultural reforestation focus.

Others

• Davey Tree Expert Company: The largest employee-owned tree care company in North America, providing arborist services, urban forestry, and tree maintenance. Adjacent partner (exclusive Tree Campus Healthcare partner) and ecosystem participant offering the professional services layer the Foundation relies on.
• PlanIT Geo: An urban forestry and tree canopy mapping technology firm co-developing TreeCanopy.US with the Foundation and USDA Forest Service. Adjacent enabling technology partner with direct comparability in canopy analytics and urban forestry software.

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: A global environmental nonprofit focused on nature protection, climate stabilization, and biodiversity, with significant forest and reforestation programs. Comparable in mission scale, corporate partnerships, and global conservation operations.
• National Wildlife Federation: A major U.S. environmental nonprofit focused on wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and native plant/tree programs. Broad incumbent in environmental advocacy with overlapping urban forestry and ecosystem restoration programming.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest global environmental nonprofits, focused on land and water conservation across diverse ecosystems including forests. Broad incumbent with overlapping forest and climate work, but with a much wider conservation mandate than tree planting specifically.
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI): A nonprofit sustainability forest certification and standards organization working with industry, landowners, and communities on responsible forestry. Comparable in forest-focused nonprofit mission and stakeholder network, though oriented around certification rather than planting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arborday
• Facebookfacebook.com/arborday
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arbor-day-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arbor Day Foundation