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Trees Matter

Phoenix, AZ · EIN 810597674 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE C30 · Environment · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.treesmatter.org
revenue
$607K
expenses
$449K
net assets
$389K
employees
4
volunteers
170
program ratio
87%
filing since
2020
mission · from form 990

To inspire and promote an increased tree canopy in the Valley.

profile · synthesized from sources

Trees Matter is a nonprofit organization based in Arizona focused on increasing the urban tree canopy and promoting sustainable practices in communities. They engage with local residents to enhance environmental education and improve community resilience through tree planting initiatives. Their work primarily serves urban areas in Arizona, particularly those affected by heat and environmental challenges.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $102K
  2. #2 $68K
named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Community Engagement Initiatives
Facilitates community involvement in tree planting and environmental sustainability projects.
Trees for Schools
Engages students and teachers in environmental education and tree planting activities to foster stewardship.
Utility Shade Tree Program
Provides shade trees to residents to help mitigate urban heat and improve community aesthetics.
activities · 16

what they do

direct service · 13
  • Environmental Education and Resources
    Provides educational resources including a tree database, tree educational sheets, an "Ask the Arborist" forum, and PDF files on tree planting, maintenance, environmental impact, and food-producing trees. Operates a "Trees for Schools" program to expand environmental education for students and teachers.
  • Operation of core tree programs Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Runs three main programs: the Utility Shade Tree Program, Urban Food Forest, and Trees for Schools, which collectively support tree planting, food-producing trees, and community engagement in urban forestry.
  • Tree Distribution Program Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Distributes thousands of desert-adapted shade trees annually to residents across the Phoenix Valley through events and partnerships, including over 2,000 trees distributed to SRP participants each year.
  • Tree Planting Events Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Organizes and supports tree planting events in schools, parks, neighborhoods, and communities in need, including the planting of 144 trees in Tempe and Guadalupe through the Tree Steward programs.
  • Tree Planting and Distribution Programs Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Organizes and conducts tree planting events in schools, parks, and neighborhoods, and distributes hundreds of desert-adapted shade trees to residents annually, including over 2,000 trees to SRP participants.
  • Tree distribution to residents Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Distributes hundreds of desert-adapted shade trees annually to residents across the Phoenix metropolitan area (the Valley), including through SRP participation and community distribution events.
  • Tree education and technical resources
    Provides educational materials including PDFs on tree planting and maintenance, desert-adapted tree species, and the social, economic, and environmental benefits of trees; also offers an "Ask the Arborist" forum and tree educational sheets.
  • Tree planting events in communities and schools Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Organizes and conducts tree planting events in schools, parks, neighborhoods, and communities in need, including planting 144 trees in Tempe and Guadalupe through the Tree Steward programs.
  • Trees for Schools Program
    Operates a program to plant trees on school campuses and expand environmental education for students and teachers through curriculum-linked resources and hands-on engagement.
  • Urban Canopy Expansion Initiatives Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Develops and implements community-based programs aimed at increasing tree canopy coverage across the Phoenix metropolitan area.
  • Urban Food Forest Program Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Manages the Urban Food Forest initiative, providing food-producing trees and related educational materials, including harvesting guidance and recipes, to promote urban food security and environmental sustainability.
  • Urban Forestry Education and Resources
    Provides educational resources including PDFs on tree planting and maintenance, desert-adapted and food-producing tree species, and the social, economic, and environmental impacts of trees; also operates an "Ask the Arborist" forum and maintains a tree database and advocacy tools.
  • Utility Shade Tree Program Urban Tree Planting & Care
    Operates the Utility Shade Tree Program as part of its three core initiatives to increase urban tree canopy and support energy efficiency through strategic tree planting.
advocacy · 3
  • Advocacy for Tree Protection and Equity
    Advocates for the adoption of tree protection zones for established trees in Phoenix and supports initiatives like Tempe's Climate Justice Advisory Group to ensure tree programs are rooted in community trust and equity.
  • Advocacy for urban tree policy and climate equity
    Advocates for urban tree protection policies, including successful efforts to establish tree protection zones in Phoenix, and supports climate justice initiatives such as Tempe's Climate Justice Advisory Group and the city's Energy Equity Roadmap.
  • Community Tree Advocacy and Policy Engagement
    Leads community-based advocacy efforts such as promoting tree protection zones in Phoenix, influencing city planning committees, commission, and council; contributes to climate justice initiatives like Tempe’s Energy Equity Roadmap through the Tree Stewards program.
strategies · 12

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Community-Engaged Education and Distribution for Tree Stewardship community-engaged-education unique to this org
    Trees Matter combines tree care education with tree distribution and planting, actively involving community members and students, to promote long-term tree survival, foster community stewardship, and increase the urban tree canopy. This approach aims to create a culture of tree advocates and stewards by providing practical knowledge and resources.
  • Community-Engaged Tree Canopy Expansion community_engagement unique to this org
    Trees Matter expands the urban tree canopy by actively involving community members, including students and residents, in tree planting, care, and advocacy, fostering stewardship and ownership for long-term impact.
  • Community-Engaged Tree Canopy Expansion community_engagement unique to this org
    Trees Matter expands the urban tree canopy by actively engaging community members, including students, in planting, caring for, and advocating for trees. This approach combines education with direct participation to foster stewardship and ensure long-term tree survival.
  • Education and Resource Provision for Tree Stewardship environmental_education unique to this org
    Trees Matter provides comprehensive education and resources to the public, utilizing certified arborists and workshops, to empower individuals to choose, plant, care for, and advocate for trees, thereby cultivating a culture of tree advocates and stewards.
  • Education and Resource Provision for Tree Stewardship environmental_education unique to this org
    Trees Matter provides extensive educational workshops, classes, and resources to the public on how to choose, plant, care for, and advocate for trees. This strategy aims to cultivate a culture of informed tree advocates and stewards within the community.
  • Equity-Focused Environmental Advocacy and Program Development environmental_justice unique to this org
    Trees Matter develops programs and seeks alliances at the intersection of environmental advocacy and social justice, with a focus on community trust and equity, particularly in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods, to expand and maintain the shade tree canopy.
  • Equity-Focused Environmental Advocacy and Program Development equity_rooted_program_development unique to this org
    Trees Matter develops programs and seeks alliances at the intersection of environmental advocacy and social justice, with a particular focus on community trust and equity in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods. This includes developing advocacy materials and utilizing citizen-led committees to influence urban heat and shade initiatives.
  • Professional Expertise and Resource Provision professional-education-outreach unique to this org
    Trees Matter leverages the expertise of certified arborists as instructors in its educational and planting programs and provides extensive resources to the public on tree-related topics. This ensures that information and practices shared are professionally sound and accessible, supporting informed decision-making and effective tree care.
  • Professional Expertise in Tree Care and Education professional_education_outreach unique to this org
    Trees Matter leverages the expertise of certified arborists as instructors in its educational and planting programs, and supports staff in pursuing arborist certification. This ensures high-quality, professional guidance in all tree-related initiatives.
  • Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy for Urban Tree Canopy Expansion urban_forestry_partnership unique to this org
    The organization partners with municipal governments and develops alliances at the intersection of environmental advocacy and social justice to expand and maintain the urban shade tree canopy. This includes developing advocacy materials and presentations, and utilizing citizen-led expert committees to influence city action on urban heat and shade initiatives, with a focus on equity in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods.
  • Sustainable Urban Development through Native Landscaping sustainable_urban_development unique to this org
    The organization promotes sustainable urban growth by advocating for water harvesting systems and native landscaping. This approach aims to reduce water usage, increase native habitat, and improve well-being in the Sonoran Desert, ensuring the thriving of native desert trees and plants.
  • Sustainable Urban and Desert Landscaping Promotion sustainable_urban_development unique to this org
    Trees Matter promotes sustainable urban growth by advocating for native desert trees and plants, and encouraging water harvesting systems and native landscaping. This approach aims to reduce water usage, increase native habitat, and improve well-being in the Sonoran Desert.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$607K
Contributions & grants$286K47%
Program service revenue$321K53%
Investment income$1900%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$449K
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$194K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$402K
Cash$385K
Investments$0
Liabilities$13K
Net assets$389K
Liquid reserves10.3 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue +62.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Aimee Esposito Executive Director 40 $61K
board members · 12
  • Angelica Zamora — Director
  • Coby Bruckner — Director
  • EJ Cochrum — Vice Chair
  • Eric Henderson — Treasurer
  • Eric McIntosh — Director
  • Evan Roberts — Director
  • Joe Barba — Director
  • Justin Katz — Director
  • Michele Spear — Chair
  • Mike Pfister — Director
  • Nicole Rodriguez — Director
  • Tabitha Myers — Secretary
relationships · 17

who they work with

  • APS Partner — Nicole Rodriguez, an ISA Certified Arborist, is affiliated with APS.
  • AmeriCorps Partner — Staff member has hands-on experience in environmental and community-based work through AmeriCorps.
  • Arizona Community Tree Council Partner — Nicole Rodriguez is active with the Arizona Community Tree Council.
  • Arizona State University Partner — Staff member received a Master's degree in Sustainable Solutions through ASU.
  • City of Mesa Partner — Partner in the Mesa Shade Tree Program to increase urban tree canopy.
  • City of Phoenix Government — Advocated for the City of Phoenix to create the Urban Heat Tree & Shade Subcommittee and implement sustainability initiatives.
  • Environmental Quality & Sustainability Commission Government — The City of Phoenix created the Urban Heat Tree & Shade Subcommittee under this commission due to advocacy efforts.
  • RAIL CDC Partner — Community Organizer Saul Pacheco, who leads the Tempe and Guadalupe Tree Steward programs, is affiliated with RAIL CDC.
  • SRP Partner — Collaborates on shade tree distribution to participants of virtual tree care workshops.
  • Sikh Tree Planting Committee Partner — Partnered with the Sikh Tree Planting Committee in the Garfield Neighborhood for a 200-tree planting project.
  • Tempe’s Climate Justice Advisory Group Partner — Supported Tempe's Climate Justice Advisory Group, which is foundational to the city's Energy Equity Roadmap.
  • The Phoenix Permaculture Guild Partner — Greg Peterson was the co-founder of The Phoenix Permaculture Guild, the precursor organization to Trees Matter.
  • The Urban Farm Fruit Tree Program Partner — Greg Peterson, an awardee, leads The Urban Farm Fruit Tree Program, which educates people on planting and nurturing trees and has delivered over 70,000 fruit and mesquite trees.
  • U.S. Forest Service Partner — Staff member has hands-on experience in environmental and community-based work through the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Valley Permaculture Alliance Partner — Trees Matter was formerly the Board of Valley Permaculture Alliance, which decided to acknowledge the organization’s increasingly tree-centric focus.
  • Valley Permaculture Alliance Partner — Trees Matter was formerly the Valley Permaculture Alliance, which decided to acknowledge its increasingly tree-centric focus.
  • Watershed Management Partner — Staff member received a Water Harvesting Design Certification through Watershed Management.