TREE Fund Surpasses $6 Million Towards Grant Making and Scholarships

With the awards announced from the recent application cycle, Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) has surpassed the $6 million mark in funding tree research and education through its grant and scholarship programs.

TREE Fund’s was founded in 2002 via a merger of the International Society of Arboriculture Research Trust and the National Arborist Foundation of the National Arborist Association (now known as the Tree Care Industry Association) with a mission to identify and fund programs that support the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in arboriculture and urban forestry began. TREE Fund has eight research grant programs, two education grant programs, and six student scholarship programs which provide arborists and researchers with the money they need to not only improve the health and care of trees in our urban forests but also keep the workers in the industry informed on the latest safety techniques, information, and best practices needed to do their jobs safely.

“We are very excited to have surpassed the $6 million mark in grant and scholarship funding. The support TREE Fund provides through our research and education grant programs helps improve best practices in the industry in plant health, worker safety, utility arboriculture, and more,” said Dr. Paul Putman, President and CEO of TREE Fund.  “Our scholarship programs have helped dozens of new arborists complete their education with less of a financial burden, while encouraging a lifelong commitment to best practices informed by research.”

TREE Fund has two application cycles during the year with different grants and scholarships available for application during each cycle. Each grant program has a specific purpose as far as what topics to fund and applications are reviewed by anonymous volunteer committees which are comprised of researchers and industry professionals to help ensure that the research being funded is relevant and useful to those that need it.

“TREE Fund has a long history of funding research projects and supporting young arborists that will one day guide the industry,” said Rachel Barker, TREE Fund Board Chair and Vice President of Operations Support at ArborMetrics. “The people and projects that TREE Fund are able to support are a key ingredient in the way the industry operates day to day and how they care for trees. The Board of Trustees is proud of all the projects that TREE Fund has been able to fund over the years.”

By having several different grant programs, TREE Fund is able to fund research projects that are useful to the industry in different ways, allowing the findings to be beneficial to arborists and professionals that need that information when performing different tasks. The impact of that research has also been seen by TREE Fund’s supporters, both corporate and individual, who have made donations to these programs.

“With approximately $6 million in our endowment and an equal amount granted out over the years, TREE Fund is a powerful example of how endowment-driven philanthropy can sustain long-term impact,” said Putman. “This balance demonstrates not only our commitment to supporting arboriculture research and education, but also the enduring strength of our financial stewardship.”

“This milestone would not have been possible without the steadfast generosity of our partners, donors, and volunteers, whose continued support fuels our mission and the future of arboriculture.”

TREE Fund is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support scientific discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry. TREE Fund promotes scientific inquiry designed to benefit commercial, residential, utility and consulting arborists, urban foresters, and other professionals in related fields in their shared work to create, support and sustain vibrant urban canopies. TREE Fund offers ten grants and six scholarships during fall and spring application cycles. More information can be found at www.treefund.org.