What TREE Fund does

TREE Fund (legally the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization established in 2002 and headquartered in Naperville, Illinois. Its mission is to fund scientific discovery and the dissemination of new knowledge in arboriculture and urban forestry, and it does so exclusively through grant-making rather than commercial product or service delivery. The organization awards research grants, education grants, and undergraduate scholarships through a portfolio of named endowment funds, including the Utility Arborist Research Fund (co-founded with the Utility Arborist Association in 2010 and activated at $1.0 million in 2017), the Lucas Tree Experts Integrated Vegetation Management Endowed Research Fund (established May 2026 with a $500,000 commitment), and a dozen additional specialized funds covering tree-soil research, safe arborist techniques, and student scholarships. As of 2025, TREE Fund has awarded over $6 million cumulatively across its programs.

TREE Fund's revenue model is donor-dependent rather than transactional. Income is sourced from corporate Crown, Platinum, and Gold tier partnerships (Asplundh, Bartlett Tree Experts, Corteva Agriscience, ISA, Lucas Tree Experts, FirstEnergy, SavATree, Wright Tree Service, Altec, and others), endowment contributions, planned giving, the annual Tour des Trees multi-day cycling fundraiser (with a 2026 fundraising goal of $410,000), and individual donations processed via Blackbaud-hosted forms. The organization operates with a small staff (1–10 employees, including a Grants and Development Manager and a Communication and Engagement Manager) under a volunteer Board of Trustees and a President and CEO, distributing awards through an online grant application portal on a semi-annual cadence. Programmatic reach extends globally through the research grant applicant base (Fall 2025 cycle drew 130 applications from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Colombia, and Italy).

Outreach and stakeholder engagement are delivered through the monthly TREE Press newsletter, a free CEU-accredited webinar series (offering continuing education credits recognized by ISA, the Society of American Foresters, NALP, and LACES), the Tour des Trees event with tree plantings and children's education along its route, and active social media channels. The organization has earned the 2026 GuideStar/Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and a Charity Navigator Three-Star "Give with Confidence" rating, supporting its donor acquisition and stewardship activities. There are no disclosed technology products, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities; TREE Fund's competitive position is built on institutional partnerships, endowment assets, and brand credibility within the U.S. arboriculture industry rather than proprietary technology.

Name

TREE Fund

Legal name

Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund

Website

https://treefund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TREE Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant-making organization that funds scientific research, community education, and undergraduate scholarships in arboriculture and urban forestry, serving researchers, students, and industry partners primarily in North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Grant-Making for Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Research

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (115310)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arborist Consulting, Tree Risk Assessments & Appraisals (HSAIADAJ), Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization) (HSAIADAD)

Keywords

• Arboriculture research grants
• Urban forestry scholarships
• Nonprofit grant making
• Tree science funding
• Community arboriculture education

Headquarters

HQ city

Naperville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TREE Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that awards competitive research grants, education grants, and undergraduate scholarships to advance scientific knowledge and professional practice in arboriculture and urban forestry. It administers a portfolio of named endowment funds (including the Utility Arborist Research Fund, Lucas Tree Experts IVM Endowed Research Fund, Hyland R. Johns, John Z. Duling, Jack Kimmel International, Tree and Soil Research, Safe Arborist Techniques, Bob Skiera Memorial, Davey Fund, and Bonnie Appleton Memorial) and supports the arboriculture community through the annual Tour des Trees fundraising bike ride and a free CEU-accredited webinar series.

Product overview

TREE Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable grant-making organization that does not sell products or services in the traditional sense. Instead, it operates a portfolio of research grant programs (including Utility Arborist Research Fund, Hyland R. Johns Grant, John Z. Duling Grant, Jack Kimmel International Grant, Tree and Soil Research Fund, Safe Arborist Techniques Fund), education grants (Davey Fund, Ohio Chapter ISA Education Grant), and student scholarships. The organization conducts outreach through its annual Tour des Trees cycling fundraiser and a free webinar series offering CEUs to industry professionals. Endowed funds ensure stable, long-term financial support for tree-related research and education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Grants Competitive grant programs funding scientific research on urban tree care, arboriculture, and urban forestry, with award amounts of up to $50,000 (UARF) and others, open to researchers from universities and institutions worldwide.
• Education Grants Grant programs supporting community-based arboricultural education, including The Davey Tree Expert Company Community Arboriculture Education Grant (up to $5,000) and Ohio Chapter ISA Education Grant, open to non-profit, municipal, and educational organizations running programs for audiences 16+.
• TREE Fund Scholarships Student scholarships for high school seniors entering college and returning undergraduates pursuing studies and careers in arboriculture, including six named programs each awarding $5,000.
• Tour des Trees Annual multi-day fundraising cycling event that serves as TREE Fund's primary community engagement activity and public outreach vehicle, combining cycling with tree plantings, children's presentations, and educational sessions along the route.
• Webinar Series Free monthly webinar series featuring cutting-edge arboricultural research, offering 1.0 CEU credit from ISA, Society of American Foresters, NALP, and sometimes LACES.
• Endowment Funds Named permanent endowment funds that provide perpetual annual grant disbursements for tree research and education, including activated endowments such as Bonnie Appleton Memorial Fund, John and Evelyn Duling Fund, Utility Arborist Research Fund ($50,000/year), and the Lucas Tree Experts IVM Endowed Research Fund (up to $25,000/year).

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced tree-related power outages through preventive vegetation management research funded by UARF
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025UCFS partnered with TREE Fund to host and grow the Urban Forest Foundation (UFF). TREE Fund houses UFF funds and invests them as part of its overall endowment strategy, with 5% utilized annually by UCFS to support educational programs like Municipal Forestry Institute and Arborist Exchange.
• Asplundh Tree Expert CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCrown Partner ($50,000+) since 1928. Asplundh is dedicated to safe and efficient utility vegetation management services and is a proud supporter of TREE Fund's mission and programs, especially the Utility Arborist Research Fund. Also hosts an annual golf outing benefiting TREE Fund.
• Bartlett Tree ExpertscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCrown Partner ($50,000+). Founded in 1907, Bartlett is the world's leading scientific tree and shrub care company and believes in beauty through science — research has been key to their success. Strong supporter of TREE Fund programs.
• Corteva AgrisciencecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCrown Partner ($50,000+). The agriculture division of DowDuPont, Corteva is the only major agriscience company completely dedicated to agriculture, with a purpose to enrich the lives of those who produce and consume, ensuring progress for generations to come.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrown Partner ($50,000+). ISA is focused on research and dissemination of results to contribute to a world with healthier trees, sustainable communities, and a green economy. Key strategic partner providing access to the professional arborist community.
• Lucas Tree ExpertscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCrown Partner ($50,000+). Since 1926, Lucas Tree Experts has been committed to providing safe, reliable, and professional utility vegetation management services across the U.S. and Canada. In 2026 (centennial year), committed $500,000 to establish the Lucas Tree Experts Integrated Vegetation Management Endowed Research Fund.
• FirstEnergysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Partner ($25,000-$49,999). Utility company supporting TREE Fund's research and education mission.
• SavATreesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Partner ($25,000-$49,999). Tree care services company supporting TREE Fund's mission.
• Wright Tree ServicesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Partner ($25,000-$49,999). Tree service company and sponsor of the John Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund. Also a major donor to UARF.
• Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold Partner ($10,000-$24,999). Organization dedicated to tree care industry standards and professional development, serving as a key partner for industry outreach and education.
• Altec Inc.secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Partner ($10,000-$24,999). Equipment manufacturer and UARF major donor supporting tree care research.
• The Davey Tree Expert CompanysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerLead Donor to UARF ($20,000-$99,999). Creator of The Davey Fund (Community Arboriculture Education Grant). Major supporter of TREE Fund education grants.
• Lewis Tree ServicesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerLead Donor to UARF ($20,000-$99,999). Tree service company supporting utility arborist research.
• Utility Arborist Association (UAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of the Utility Arborist Research Fund (UARF) in 2010, established to finance work with real importance and benefit to utility tree care professionals. UAA sets research priorities and helps determine grant awards.
• Urban Forest FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished to engage in the development, support, and promotion of urban forest training and dissemination of technical and operational information. Now housed by TREE Fund for investment and long-term growth.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Save the Redwoods League: Conservation nonprofit that funds research and land protection to preserve forest ecosystems. Comparable as a forest-focused grantmaking organization with an endowment-based funding model.
• Arbor Day Foundation: The largest US nonprofit dedicated to tree planting and forestry stewardship. Directly comparable as a tree-focused grantmaking/awareness organization with a national membership base and corporate partner ecosystem.
• American Forests: National nonprofit dedicated to forest conservation, reforestation, and urban tree canopy work. Closely comparable as a forestry-focused nonprofit that funds and advocates for tree research and planting.
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI): Nonprofit that sets standards and supports sustainable forestry practices across North America. Comparable as a forestry-oriented nonprofit that channels corporate and institutional funding into forest sustainability and research.
• Society of American Foresters (SAF): National scientific and educational organization for forestry professionals, providing CEU credits to TREE Fund's webinars. Comparable as a forestry-focused nonprofit that supports research dissemination and continuing education in tree-related fields.
• Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS): Professional society that partnered with TREE Fund in November 2025 to house the Urban Forest Foundation. Comparable as an urban-forestry-focused nonprofit whose educational mission aligns closely with TREE Fund's research and education programs.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest environmental nonprofits globally, with overlapping donor base, conservation mission, and grantmaking activity. Broader scope than TREE Fund but competes for the same corporate sustainability and foundation dollars.
• The Conservation Fund: National environmental nonprofit focused on land and water conservation with significant corporate and government partnerships. Comparable in funding model and donor overlap, though broader in mission than TREE Fund's arboriculture focus.

Others

• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): TREE Fund's strategic Crown Partner and the leading professional association for arborists. Adjacent rather than directly competing — ISA focuses on professional certification and standards, while TREE Fund funds the research and scholarship pipeline that supports ISA's membership base.
• Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA): TREE Fund's Gold Partner and the trade association for the tree care industry. Adjacent ecosystem player that sets industry standards and accredits tree-care companies rather than directly funding research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TREE_Fund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkOWW7dLQh3ytUTMCbPBLSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/The-TREE-Fund/71629335773
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/treefund

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 TREE Fund