What Outdoor Circle does

The Outdoor Circle is a Hawaii-based nonprofit environmental organization founded in 1912 by seven women prior to women having the legal right to vote in the United States. Headquartered at 1314 South King Street, Suite 306, in Honolulu, the organization employs approximately 8 staff members and operates through 12+ volunteer-led branches spanning all major Hawaiian islands, including East Hawaii Island, East Honolulu, Kaneohe, Kauai, Kona, Lani-Kailua, Manoa, North Shore, Waikiki, Waikoloa, and Waimea. Its mission is to keep Hawaii "clean, green, and beautiful" through tree preservation and planting, environmental education, community improvement projects, and legislative advocacy — most notably anti-billboard and sign regulation efforts dating back to 1926.

The organization's core programs include the Exceptional Tree Initiative (with an interactive map documenting designated heritage trees), Free Tree Giveaways, community Planting Events, Greening Hawaii's Public Schools, a Lahaina Fire Recovery reforestation effort launched in response to the 2023 Maui fire, Green and Cool Hawaii (urban heat mitigation via canopy expansion), Coconut Palm Sanctuary, Historic Trees of Banyan Drive, Future Proofing Hawaii's Urban Forests, and a "Valuing Trees" university module. Educational outreach is delivered through The Online Circle blog and newsletters including The Greenleaf. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; its digital surface consists of a content website, an interactive tree map, and email communications.

The Outdoor Circle is funded through three primary revenue streams: individual membership dues, tax-deductible donations and contributions (including tribute gifts, planned giving, and Foodland Give Aloha), and grants from foundations such as the Hawaii Community Foundation, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, and the Arbor Day Foundation, alongside government and corporate partners including the State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Company, and Alexander & Baldwin. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed financials, and operates as a private nonprofit under Hawaii jurisdiction.

Name

Outdoor Circle

Legal name

The Outdoor Circle

Website

https://outdoorcircle.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Outdoor Circle is a 113-year-old Hawaii nonprofit that preserves and plants trees, runs community environmental programs through 12+ volunteer-led branches statewide, and advocates for scenic preservation and anti-billboard legislation. It is funded by memberships, donations, and foundation and government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation services
• Tree preservation programs
• Community environmental advocacy
• Urban forestry initiatives
• Nonprofit membership organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The organization generates revenue through membership fees from individuals who join to support the environmental mission of keeping Hawaii clean, green, and beautiful.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, families, and organizations supporting the Keep Hawaii Beautiful Campaign and general operations. Donations can be made in honor or memory of friends and family members.
3. Grants and Foundation Support: Funding from foundations and organizations including Hawaii Community Foundation, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Arbor Day Foundation, and others to support specific programs and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Outdoor Circle is a Hawaii-based nonprofit that runs community-driven environmental programs focused on tree preservation, urban forestry, planting events, and advocacy against visual blight from billboards and signage. It operates through 12+ volunteer branches statewide, offering the Exceptional Tree Initiative (with an interactive tree map), free tree giveaways, school greening, post-fire reforestation, and environmental education. The organization is funded by memberships, donations, and grants.

Product overview

The Outdoor Circle is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers environmental programs and community services rather than a traditional product platform. The core offering consists of tree preservation and planting programs including the Exceptional Tree Initiative (which includes an interactive mapping tool), Free Tree Giveaways, and Planting Events. These are complemented by educational resources like The Online Circle blog and advocacy programs for signage control and environmental policy. The organization operates through local branches across the Hawaiian islands and offers membership programs for public participation. The various programs work together to fulfill the mission of keeping Hawaii clean, green, and beautiful through preservation, protection, and enhancement of the environment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exceptional Tree Initiative A program to document Hawaii's most notable trees and protect designated trees from improper trimming and unnecessary removal, including an interactive map of Exceptional Trees across Hawaii.
• Free Tree Giveaways Community program that provides free trees to residents to encourage planting and urban forestry expansion across Hawaii.
• Planting Events Community-based tree planting events organized by local branches throughout the Hawaiian islands.
• Greening Hawaii's Public Schools Educational program focused on planting trees and green infrastructure at public schools across Hawaii.
• Lahaina Fire Recovery Recovery program supporting reforestation and environmental restoration efforts in Lahaina following the 2023 fire.
• Green and Cool Hawaii Program addressing urban heat and promoting tree canopy coverage to reduce temperatures in Hawaii's urban areas.
• Coconut Palm Sanctuary Program focused on protecting and preserving coconut palm trees in Hawaii.
• Historic Trees of Banyan Drive Program documenting and preserving historic banyan trees along Banyan Drive in Hawaii.
• Membership Program Statewide membership organization enabling individuals to support environmental preservation through donations and volunteer participation, with branches throughout the Hawaiian islands.
• Signage Advocacy Advocacy efforts to maintain Hawaii's billboard ban and control sign clutter, including policy positions and community resources on signage laws.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hawaii is recognized as one of only 4 states in the U.S. that prohibits off-site outdoor advertising, thanks in part to TOC advocacy

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Keep America Beautiful: Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit focused on litter prevention, recycling, and beautification. TOC's "Keep Hawaii Beautiful" campaign and overall mission closely mirror Keep America Beautiful's mandate at a state scale.
• American Forests: American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit focused on forest conservation and urban tree planting. Highly comparable to TOC's tree planting, urban canopy, and forestry advocacy programs at a national scale.
• Sierra Club: Sierra Club is one of the oldest and largest U.S. environmental organizations with active Hawaii chapters. Comparable in grassroots environmental advocacy mission, though operating at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is the largest national nonprofit dedicated to tree planting, with which TOC is already a financial partner. Both share a mission of tree planting and environmental education, though Arbor Day operates nationally at much greater scale.
• The Nature Conservancy - Hawaii: The Nature Conservancy operates significant Hawaii programs focused on conservation, reforestation, and ecosystem protection. Comparable mission in protecting Hawaii's natural environment, though TNC focuses on land acquisition rather than advocacy.

Emerging players

• Plant-for-the-Planet: Plant-for-the-Planet is a global youth-led reforestation initiative. Comparable to TOC in tree-planting mission and community volunteer mobilization, though operating globally and at different scale.

Direct peers

• Hawaiian Islands Land Trust: Hawaiian Islands Land Trust is a Hawaii-focused nonprofit dedicated to land conservation and stewardship. Comparable as a state-level environmental nonprofit operating through community engagement to protect Hawaii's natural and cultural resources.
• Scenic America: Scenic America is a national nonprofit that advocates against billboards and visual blight. TOC's signage advocacy program directly parallels Scenic America's core mission of protecting scenic beauty from outdoor advertising.
• Surfrider Foundation: Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots environmental nonprofit with strong Hawaii chapter presence focused on coastal and environmental protection. Comparable to TOC as a volunteer-branch-driven, Hawaii-rooted environmental advocacy organization.
• Hawaii Audubon Society: Hawaii Audubon Society is a Hawaii-based nonprofit focused on bird conservation and native habitat protection. Comparable as a long-standing Hawaii environmental nonprofit with volunteer branches and education programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/outdoor-circle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Outdoor Circle