Trees Foundation

What Trees Foundation does

Trees Foundation is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Garberville, Humboldt County, California (439 Melville Rd.). Its stated mission is to restore the ecological integrity of California's North Coast by empowering and assisting regional, community-based efforts that promote healthy land stewardship. The organization functions as a nonprofit incubator and fiscal sponsor, providing a suite of capacity-building services to over 40 grassroots partner groups working on forest health, wildfire resilience, salmonid and watershed restoration, sustainable forestry, and indigenous-led land stewardship across Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, and Lake Counties.

Trees Foundation's core offerings include fiscal sponsorship administration (enabling unincorporated groups to receive grant funding), GIS mapping services for ecosystem storytelling, graphic design and publishing support, organizational development consultations, and small pass-through grants via the Bloom Fund. Its underlying technology stack centers on Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and standard web content publishing; the organization also produces the Forest & River News magazine twice yearly on 100% recycled paper. In addition, Trees Foundation runs the Forest Health and Fire Resources Program, which delivers community wildfire protection initiatives including the Mail Ridge Wildfire Resilience Project (a planned 54-mile shaded fuel break), Chipper Days fuel reduction events, and Defensible Space assistance. Named partner groups include the Mid Klamath Watershed Council, Mattole Restoration Council, Mattole Salmon Group, Eel River Recovery Project, Institute for Sustainable Forestry, Salmonid Restoration Federation, Sanctuary Forest, SPAWN, Western Klamath Restoration Partnership, Mendocino Trail Stewards, and the Wiyot Tribe, among others.

The business model is donation- and grant-funded. Trees Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and does not sell products commercially; instead, it provides services free or at reduced cost to its partner network. Revenue streams include direct donations, foundation grants, fiscal sponsorship administrative fees from pass-through grants (e.g., over $100,000 historically administered to projects like Eel River Recovery Project), and program-specific grants such as the over $1.1 million Career Pathways award through the Redwood Region RISE Catalyst Fund and inclusion in the broader $9M Redwood Region RISE regional investment. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the organization transitioned from a 30-year collective management model to a structure with its first Executive Director (Damien Roomets), formalizing leadership as program scope and partner count expanded.

Name

Trees Foundation

Legal name

Trees Foundation

Website

https://treesfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Trees Foundation is a Humboldt County, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that provides fiscal sponsorship, GIS mapping, graphic design, facilitation, and small grants to over 40 grassroots environmental partner groups working on forest health, wildfire resilience, and watershed restoration across California's North Coast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Support Activities for Forestry (11531)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Conservation nonprofit services
• Fiscal sponsorship
• Grassroots environmental grants
• GIS ecosystem mapping
• Wildfire resilience programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Garberville

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Trees Foundation operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on donations and grants to fund its operations and programs. The organization administers grants and provides fiscal sponsorship to partner groups.
2. Fiscal Sponsorship Administration: Trees Foundation fiscally sponsors conservation, restoration, and healthy land stewardship projects in their service area. They receive grant funds, perform administration, and distribute resources to sponsored groups. Trees administered over $100,000 in grants that supported the formation of the Eel River Recovery Project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Trees Foundation provides fiscal sponsorship, grant administration, GIS mapmaking, graphic design, and facilitation services to over 40 grassroots partner groups working on forest, river, and wildlife conservation across California's North Coast. The organization also publishes the Forest & River News magazine twice a year and administers the Bloom Fund small grants program and the Forest Health and Fire Resources Program, which supports community wildfire resilience efforts.

Product overview

Trees Foundation offers a suite of support services to grassroots environmental organizations rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include fiscal sponsorship for conservation projects, GIS mapping services for ecosystem storytelling, graphic design and publishing (including the Forest & River News magazine), staff consultations on organizational development, and the Bloom Fund small grants program. Their Forest Health and Fire Resources Program provides community resilience services including the Mail Ridge wildfire resilience project, Chipper Days fuel reduction, and defensible space assistance. These services are provided free or at reduced cost to their 40+ partner groups working on forests, rivers, and wildlife conservation across California's North Coast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Forest & River News: A grassroots magazine published twice a year by Trees Foundation on 100% recycled paper using plant-based inks, highlighting the work and perspectives of North Coast partner groups.

Products and services

• Fiscal Sponsorship Administrative and financial oversight service provided to conservation, restoration, and healthy land stewardship projects across California's North Coast, enabling unincorporated or early-stage groups to receive grant funding through Trees Foundation's 501(c)(3) status.
• GIS Mapping Services
• Graphic Design Services
• Staff Consultations
• Bloom Fund
• Forest & River News Magazine
• Forest Health and Fire Resources Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 grassroots partner groups supported across California's North Coast
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

45 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.

• Mid Klamath Watershed CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation partners with Mid Klamath Watershed Council on watershed restoration, fire management, and community education. MKWC is a key partner in the Rural Resilience Partnership collaborative.
• Mattole Restoration CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation partners with MRC on restoration projects including estuary restoration work, riparian habitat improvements, and watershed recovery efforts in the Mattole River watershed.
• Mattole Salmon GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSG partners with Trees Foundation on salmon habitat support efforts in the Mattole River Estuary, including slough restoration and habitat complexity projects.
• Native Health in Native HandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation partners with this organization on cultural fire initiatives and youth education. Perry Lincoln serves on Trees Foundation board. Active in Southern Humboldt Community Park Project.
• Tribal EcoRestoration AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation partners with Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance as part of the Rural Resilience Partnership collaborative, working to create career pathways in the restoration economy.
• Northern California Indian Development CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in the Rural Resilience Partnership's Career Pathways project awarded over $1.1 million through Redwood Region RISE Catalyst Fund.
• Northern Mendocino Ecosystem Recovery AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in the Rural Resilience Partnership's Career Pathways project working on restoration economy development.
• Southern Humboldt Fire & RescuemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in the Rural Resilience Partnership's Career Pathways project and wildfire resilience initiatives.
• Mattole Valley Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Mattole Valley working on watershed restoration and community resilience.
• Institute for Sustainable ForestrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaborative partner promoting sustainable forestry practices, prescribed fire, and agroforestry in NW California. Partners on Southern Humboldt Community Park Project.
• Eel River Recovery ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginally founded as a fiscally sponsored group of Trees Foundation in 2011. ERRP conducts salmonid monitoring and watershed restoration in the Eel River basin.
• Salmonid Restoration FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation partners with SRF on salmon habitat restoration projects including flow-enhancement initiatives.
• Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner nursery organization propagating native plants for salmon habitat restoration in Marin County. SPAWN has grown into a professional operation propagating over 100 native species.
• Sanctuary ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on water storage and forbearance projects in the Mattole Valley, including McKee Creek habitat improvements and VanAuken Creek restoration.
• Mendocino Trail StewardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner group advocating for Jackson Demonstration State Forest management changes to support wildfire resilience, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem restoration.
• Redwood Forest Foundation Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation collaborates with RFFI on forest restoration at Usal Redwood Forest, including the Gulch 7 Healthy Forests Proposal awarded over $4 million for prescribed and cultural fire.
• Southern Humboldt Fire Safe CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation partners with SHFSC on wildfire preparedness initiatives, including the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association and community fire resilience programs.
• Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional environmental organization working on forest protection and advocacy. Historical ties to Trees Foundation through collaborative conservation efforts.
• Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization working on forest protection and ecosystem restoration in the Klamath-Siskiyou region.
• Willits Environmental CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner group welcomed in 2020 working on environmental protection in the Willits area, including wetland mitigation monitoring and cannabis ordinance work.
• Western Klamath Restoration PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation collaborates with WKRP on prescribed fire training exchange (KTREX) and fire management projects in the Klamath Mountains.
• Save California SalmoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on salmon recovery and watershed protection in California.
• Redwood Region RISEflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees Foundation is part of the Rural Resilience Partnership, selected as a Catalyst Fund recipient through Redwood Region RISE (Redwood Region Resilient Inclusive Sustainable Economy) initiative. Part of a $9 million regional investment.
• Humboldt County Resource Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing funding support for Trees Foundation's Forest Health and Fire Resources program through the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
• State Coastal ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for Trees Foundation's Forest Health and Fire Resources program and restoration projects.
• North Coast Resource PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership supporting watershed restoration and coordination among conservation organizations in the North Coast region.
• Mid Eel Watershed StewardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner group working on watershed stewardship in the Mid Eel River watershed.
• Friends of Elk RivercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on protection and restoration of the Elk River watershed.
• Friends of the Lost CoastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on conservation of the Lost Coast region.
• Friends of the Van Duzen RivercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner group focused on protection and restoration of the Van Duzen River.
• Forest Reciprocity GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on sustainable forestry and forest stewardship practices.
• Restoration Leadership ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on restoration leadership and ecosystem recovery efforts.
• Wiyot TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner tribe involved in salmon recovery and watershed restoration efforts, including pikeminnow removal collaboration with UC Berkeley.
• Lost Coast LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on conservation and protection efforts in the Lost Coast region.
• Ancient Forest InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on protection of ancient and old-growth forests.
• Baduwa't Watershed CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner watershed council working on local watershed protection and restoration.
• Salmon River Restoration CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on salmon habitat restoration in the Salmon River watershed.
• Piercy Volunteer Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner fire department working on wildfire preparedness in the Piercy area.
• Briceland Volunteer Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner volunteer fire department conducting fuels reduction work and supporting fire resilience in Southern Humboldt.
• Garberville FirewisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner Firewise community group working on wildfire preparedness in the Garberville area.
• Benbow FirewisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner Firewise community group working on wildfire preparedness in the Benbow area.
• Mail RidgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization involved in the Mail Ridge Wildfire Resilience Project creating a 54-mile shaded fuel break.
• CAL FIREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner state agency for forest health projects including the Mail Ridge CAL FIRE Forest Health application and fire resilience work.
• Redwood Coast Energy AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on energy issues in Humboldt County.
• Garberville Rotary ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal service organization co-sponsoring fire workshops with Trees Foundation and Institute for Sustainable Forestry.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Pacific Rivers Council: Regional watershed protection nonprofit in the Pacific Northwest. Comparable mission around watershed restoration and salmon recovery, but primarily serves Oregon rather than California.

Direct peers

• Resources Legacy Fund: California-focused environmental grantmaking foundation supporting conservation, fisheries, and watershed protection. Highly comparable as a California environmental grantmaker providing fiscal sponsorship and capacity-building support to partner organizations.
• Humboldt Area Foundation: Community foundation serving Humboldt County and the North Coast region. Comparable as a regional grantmaking and capacity-building organization supporting North Coast communities and environmental programs, with overlapping geographic footprint.
• Sustainable Northwest: Regional nonprofit working on forests, watersheds, and rural economies in the Pacific Northwest. Closely comparable mission and operating model, including forest restoration, fire resilience, and rural community economic development.
• North Coast Resource Partnership: Regional collaboration of tribes, watershed groups, and communities working on water resource protection across the North Coast. Directly comparable as a regional coordination and funding intermediary for watershed restoration.
• Redwood Forest Foundation Inc. Regional nonprofit working on redwood forest conservation and restoration, including the Usal Redwood Forest. Directly comparable as a North Coast forest conservation organization with which Trees Foundation actively partners (Gulch 7 proposal).
• Earth Island Institute: Environmental nonprofit fiscal sponsor supporting dozens of grassroots projects. Directly comparable as a fiscal sponsor model organization incubating and supporting smaller environmental groups, but operates nationally.
• Save the Redwoods League: Regional nonprofit focused on redwood forest protection and restoration in Northern California. Directly comparable as a conservation nonprofit operating in the same North Coast geography with overlapping partner networks and forest stewardship mission.

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that conserves land for public use, including forest and watershed protection in California. Comparable in its land stewardship mission but operates at much larger scale with broader geographic scope and more sophisticated fundraising infrastructure.
• The Nature Conservancy: Largest global environmental nonprofit with significant California forest and watershed programs. Comparable mission and geographic overlap, but vastly larger scale, paid staff, and endowment-based funding model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInfacebook.com/MidKlamathWatershedCouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Trees Foundation