The Giving Grove
The Giving Grove is a Kansas City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a national network of 680+ community orchards across 16 U.S. cities, where 1,300+ volunteer stewards plant and maintain fruit, nut, and berry trees that provide free, fresh produce to food-insecure urban neighborhoods.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Giving Grove does
The Giving Grove is a Kansas City, Missouri-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 46-5000184) founded in 2013 that operates a national network of community orchards producing free fruits, nuts, and berries for food-insecure urban neighborhoods. Originally a program of Kansas City Community Gardens, it became an independent nonprofit in 2017 and now coordinates more than 680 orchards across 16 U.S. cities (Atlanta, Auburn, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Rochester, South Bend, St. Louis, and Seattle), managed by over 1,300 volunteer orchard stewards. The network has the potential to produce more than 4 million servings of free, fresh food annually and over 127 million servings across orchard lifetimes, alongside secondary environmental benefits including carbon sequestration and stormwater capture.
The organization distributes its services through a 16-city affiliate network of independent 501(c)(3) partners (e.g., Denver Urban Gardens, Tree Pittsburgh, Food Well Alliance, Nashville Food Project, Kansas City Community Gardens, Tilth Alliance) that act as local program hubs, while the national team provides horticultural expertise, training, software tools, and funding for trees. Supporting products include the Field Guide Pest ID Tool (a web-based pest identification resource for stewards), Orchard Education workshops and resources, and The Seedling monthly giving program for individual donors. Impact measurement is conducted using iTree.org and TreeKeeper by Davey Tree to track tree counts, expected yields, volunteer engagement, community reach, carbon sequestration, and stormwater management.
Revenue is generated entirely from non-commercial sources: individual donations (including The Seedling monthly program), corporate and foundation partnerships (GEHA, Tito's, OXO, PCNA, Evergy, Hydro Flask, McDonnell Foundation, Gattermeir Family Foundation, Jack & Glenna Wylie Foundation, Google for Nonprofits), federal grants (USDA Forest Service national-expansion selection in December 2024, USDA NRCS, Arbor Day Foundation's US$4.7M urban-forestry grant program), and one-time recognition awards (2024 H2HC Prize for Innovation, US$100,000). New affiliates contribute an initial matching investment of up to US$75,000 to support national program infrastructure. AI is used internally for proofreading, dataset organization, and orchard planning assistance, with all final decisions reviewed by staff.
The Giving Grove firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Giving Grove
- Legal name
- The Giving Grove, Inc.
- Website
- https://givinggrove.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Giving Grove is a Kansas City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a national network of 680+ community orchards across 16 U.S. cities, where 1,300+ volunteer stewards plant and maintain fruit, nut, and berry trees that provide free, fresh produce to food-insecure urban neighborhoods.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Giving Grove industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Food Access and Urban Agriculture Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (1132)
- SIC
- Forestry (800), Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization) (HSAIADAD), Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD), Plant Replacement, Transplanting & Garden Refresh Services (HSAIAFAG)
Keywords
Where The Giving Grove is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Giving Grove business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: The Giving Grove accepts donations from individuals, including a monthly giving program called 'The Seedling' and one-time gifts. Donations are tax-deductible as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 46-5000184).
- Corporate & Foundation Partnerships: Corporate partners receive customized impact data, marketing assets, and recognition in exchange for financial support. Partners include GEHA, Love Titos, OXO, PCNA, Evergy, Hydro Flask, Tito's Vodka, and others. Foundation funders include McDonnell Foundation, Gattermeir Family Foundation, Jack & Glenna Wylie Foundation, and Google for Nonprofits.
- Federal & Government Grants: The Giving Grove receives federal funding, including a significant grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service to expand community orchards nationwide. Also supported by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Arbor Day Foundation grants.
- Affiliate Program Contributions: New affiliate organizations contribute an initial matching investment of up to $75,000 to launch their local orchard program, providing funding to The Giving Grove's national operations and program support infrastructure.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
The Giving Grove product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Giving Grove supports neighborhood volunteers in planting and caring for fruit trees, nut trees, and berry brambles that produce free, organically-grown food for neighborhoods facing high rates of food insecurity. The organization provides training, supplies, horticultural expertise, and fundraising guidance through a national affiliate network of 16 city-based nonprofit organizations that manage local orchard programs, recruit volunteer stewards, and coordinate plantings. Supporting offerings include a Field Guide Pest ID Tool, Orchard Education workshops, and The Seedling monthly giving program.
Product overview
The Giving Grove is a national nonprofit that operates primarily as a community orchard program, not a technology product company. Its core offering is the Community Orchard Program, which helps communities plant and maintain sustainable orchards of fruit trees, nut trees, and berry brambles. Supporting offerings include the Field Guide Pest ID Tool (a pest identification resource for stewards), Orchard Education (workshops and training materials), The Seedling monthly giving program, and an Affiliate Network of 16 partner organizations across the U.S. that locally manage orchard programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community Orchard Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 4+ million servings of free, fresh food grown annually across the network
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use The Giving Grove
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Giving Grove technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
The Giving Grove partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- StreetCred (co-winner)minorThe Giving Grove and StreetCred were jointly named 2024 Prizes for Innovation winners by the Hunger to Health Collaboratory (H2HC) at the 2024 Fall Summit in Boston, MA.
- Denver Urban GardenscoreDenver Urban Gardens serves as The Giving Grove's affiliate partner in Denver, CO, managing local orchard programs, recruiting volunteers, and coordinating plantings.
- Tree PittsburghcoreTree Pittsburgh is The Giving Grove's affiliate partner in Pittsburgh, PA, managing local orchard programs.
- Food Well AlliancecoreFood Well Alliance is The Giving Grove's affiliate partner in Atlanta, GA.
- Kansas City Community GardenscoreKansas City Community Gardens is The Giving Grove's original affiliate partner in Kansas City, MO (where the program was founded in 2013 as a program of KCCG).
- Nashville Food ProjectcoreNashville Food Project is The Giving Grove's affiliate partner in Nashville, TN.
- Project Pando / Leaf & LimbcoreProject Pando (operated by Leaf & Limb) joined The Giving Grove national network in February 2025 as the affiliate partner in Raleigh, NC.
- Tilth AlliancecoreTilth Alliance is The Giving Grove's affiliate partner in Seattle, WA.
- PCNA (Pioneer Customer Network Association)corePCNA has partnered with The Giving Grove to fund and expand community orchards in Pittsburgh, launching campaigns such as the Earth Day Giveback Campaign and funding five additional community orchards.
- Hydro Flask (Parent: OSIM International)minorHydro Flask's Parks For All giving program has partnered with The Giving Grove as part of its 5-year anniversary giving initiative, supporting urban orchard projects.
- OXOminorOXO named The Giving Grove as a nonprofit partner under its 1% for the Planet giving commitment.
- Love Titos / Tito's VodkaminorLove Titos (Tito's Handmade Vodka) is a funding partner that has collaborated with The Giving Grove on community events and giving campaigns.
- One Percent for the PlanetminorThe Giving Grove is a member of 1% for the Planet, an environmental giving network that connects businesses to nonprofits.
- Green Sports AllianceminorThe Giving Grove was featured in the Green Sports Alliance's Fan Engagement Playbook, connecting the organization with sports teams and venues for community orchard initiatives.
- ReTreeUScoreReTreeUS (Maine) joined The Giving Grove's national network in 2023 as the affiliate partner in Auburn, ME.
- Unity GardenscoreUnity Gardens (Indiana) joined The Giving Grove's national network in 2023 as the affiliate partner in South Bend, IN.
- Domino'sminorDomino's partnered with The Giving Grove through the 'One Tree Planted' initiative to deliver trees to community orchards in Dallas.
- The Works Inc (Memphis)The Works Inc is The Giving Grove's affiliate partner in Memphis, TN. A new partnership was announced in June 2025.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Giving Grove competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- American Forests: National nonprofit focused on urban and community forestry, reforestation, and tree canopy expansion. Closely comparable in mission, federal funding access, and urban-tree-planting impact measurement that mirrors The Giving Grove's community orchard model.
- Tilth Alliance: Direct affiliate partner for Seattle. Pacific Northwest urban agriculture and food access nonprofit with community garden and orchard programming.
- Arbor Day Foundation: Major national tree-planting nonprofit that is also a financial partner of The Giving Grove. Operates the same urban forestry and community-tree space at much larger scale, making it the closest mission-aligned incumbent.
- Denver Urban Gardens: Direct affiliate partner for Denver. Runs community gardens and urban agriculture sites with comparable volunteer stewardship and food access mission.
- Kansas City Community Gardens: Original parent organization of The Giving Grove when it was founded as a program in 2013. Operates urban gardens and food access programs in the same Kansas City geography, with overlapping volunteer base and donor ecosystem.
- Tree Pittsburgh: Direct affiliate partner managing the Pittsburgh Giving Grove program. Operates urban tree planting and stewardship with similar volunteer-driven orchard model.
- Food Well Alliance: Direct affiliate partner for Atlanta. Local food system and urban agriculture nonprofit focused on equitable food access, directly comparable to Giving Grove's mission.
Broad incumbents
- Trust for Public Land: National land conservation nonprofit featured alongside Giving Grove in their 'Adding Green' policy report. Operates at much larger scale on urban green infrastructure, parks, and tree canopy with overlapping ESG and federal funding positioning.
- Keep America Beautiful: Large established national nonprofit focused on community beautification, litter reduction, and green spaces. Operates an affiliate network model similar in structure to The Giving Grove's 16-city affiliate approach.
Regional players
- ReTreeUS: Affiliate partner for Auburn, ME. Regional community tree-planting nonprofit with comparable volunteer-driven orchard and tree-planting model in a different geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Giving Grove social profiles
Digital presenceThe Giving Grove financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Giving Grove leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
The Giving Grove funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Giving Grove M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Giving Grove
What does The Giving Grove do?
The Giving Grove supports neighborhood volunteers in planting and caring for fruit trees, nut trees, and berry brambles that produce free, organically-grown food for neighborhoods facing high rates of food insecurity. The organization provides training, supplies, horticultural expertise, and fundraising guidance through a national affiliate network of 16 city-based nonprofit organizations that manage local orchard programs, recruit volunteer stewards, and coordinate plantings. Supporting offerings include a Field Guide Pest ID Tool, Orchard Education workshops, and The Seedling monthly giving program.
Is The Giving Grove a public or private company?
The Giving Grove is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Giving Grove founded?
The Giving Grove was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Giving Grove based?
The Giving Grove is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Giving Grove make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate & Foundation Partnerships, federal & Government Grants and affiliate Program Contributions.
Who are The Giving Grove's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are American Forests, Tilth Alliance, Arbor Day Foundation, Denver Urban Gardens, Kansas City Community Gardens, Tree Pittsburgh and Food Well Alliance. Broad incumbents are Trust for Public Land and Keep America Beautiful. ReTreeUS is listed as a regional player.
Does The Giving Grove have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Giving Grove.
What industry is The Giving Grove in?
The Giving Grove's product category is Community Food Access and Urban Agriculture Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAMACAL, Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting, with a secondary code of HSAIADAD, Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization). Its NAICS code is 115310 and its SIC code is 800.