← Back to US Funders Directory

One Tree Planted Inc

Annual Giving
$57.6M
Decision Time
1mo

One Tree Planted Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $57.6 million (FY 2023)
  • Decision Time: 3-8 weeks
  • Grant Range: Minimum 10,000 trees required (specific funding amounts not publicly disclosed)
  • Geographic Focus: International (80+ countries across 6 regions)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis - organizations submit reforestation proposals

Contact Details

Website: https://onetreeplanted.org
Phone: +1 802-490-2020
Email: info@onetreeplanted.org
Partnership Inquiries: info@onetreeplanted.org
Carbon Projects: carbon@onetreeplanted.org
Location: Shelburne, Vermont

Overview

One Tree Planted Inc (EIN: 46-4664562) is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit founded in 2014 with a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. The organization has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from $300,000 in revenue in 2018 to over $57.6 million in annual revenue by fiscal year 2023. Operating on the simple principle of "one dollar plants one tree," One Tree Planted works with carefully selected reforestation partners across more than 80 countries in six global regions: North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. The organization pools donations for specific projects and distributes funding to local planting partners who need financial support to get more trees in the ground. In 2023 alone, One Tree Planted supported the planting of 51.9 million trees, restoring 160,038 hectares across 394 projects in 72 countries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

One Tree Planted operates several funding streams, though specific grant amounts per project are not publicly disclosed:

  • Traditional Reforestation: Core funding for forest restoration projects globally, focusing on areas recovering from fires, floods, and habitat degradation
  • Wildfire Fund: Supports wildfire restoration in areas that have experienced high severity fires where natural regeneration is not possible
  • Urban Forestry Action Fund: Provides funding to diverse city-centered projects around the world, advancing environmental justice in communities in need
  • Women's Empowerment Fund: Supports projects that emphasize gender equity and foster economic opportunities for women in reforestation

Application Method: Rolling basis - reforestation organizations submit proposals directly to One Tree Planted for review

Priority Areas

Projects supported by One Tree Planted focus on:

  • Forest restoration from fires, floods, and other disturbances
  • Biodiversity conservation and wildlife habitat protection
  • Carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation
  • Job creation and community building
  • Urban forestry and environmental justice
  • Agroforestry and community benefits
  • Women's empowerment in environmental leadership
  • Indigenous Peoples' and Local Community (IPLC) engagement

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects with fewer than 10,000 trees
  • Commercial timber harvesting operations where trees are planted for profit
  • Large-scale commercial or timber endeavors
  • Projects without community support or stakeholder engagement
  • Projects lacking technical expertise in implementation/planning
  • Projects without monitoring and maintenance plans

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Mark Benthin - Board Chair
Jim Massey - Board Member, influential figure in business and leadership, #1 best-selling author of Trust in Action
Trent Preszler - Board Member, Professor of Practice at Cornell University's Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Director of the Henry David Thoreau Foundation Planetary Solutions Initiative
Dr. Starry Sprenkle-Hyppolite - Board Member, restoration ecologist and Senior Director of Restoration Science for Conservation International
Hugh Locke - Board Member, expert in tree planting and agroforestry, Co-founder and President of the Smallholder Farmers Alliance

Executive Leadership

Harry 'Hank' Lynch - President and CEO (appointed January 2024)
Lynch is a horticulturist and ISA-certified arborist who brings decades of nonprofit leadership experience. Previously, he served as President and CEO of WildAid, an international NGO and 2023 recipient of the prestigious Earthshot Prize award. He has also led Farm Sanctuary and oversaw Reston, Virginia's recognition as the first Biophilic City in the United States.

Lynch stated upon his appointment: "I am excited to be joining a highly professional staff and accomplished Board in both protecting and growing the environmental impact of One Tree Planted, and to provide the leadership necessary to keep its brilliance shining."

Matt Hill - Founder (no longer affiliated as of May 2024)
Hill founded One Tree Planted in 2014 and led its growth phase. He emphasized: "Well, if you don't take risks, you can't move the needle," demonstrating his bold approach to organizational growth. On leadership, he stressed: "I'm not a person big on org charts, like we're one team, cohesive team. We're only as strong as the weakest link."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Organizations interested in becoming planting partners submit reforestation proposals directly to One Tree Planted. The application process involves:

  1. Submit Proposal: Local planting organizations (grassroots conservation groups, governmental stewardship organizations, or global conservation initiatives) submit project proposals
  2. Minimum Requirements: Projects must involve at least 10,000 trees
  3. Project Documentation: Include details on land tenure, stakeholder engagement, species selection, seed sourcing, restoration methodologies, and community involvement

Decision Timeline

Review Period: 3-8 weeks from proposal submission to decision

One Tree Planted's vetting process includes monitoring and documentation requirements at key reforestation project milestones.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data (percentage of applications funded) is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact One Tree Planted directly for guidance on resubmission.

Application Success Factors

One Tree Planted evaluates proposals based on rigorous vetting standards:

Critical Evaluation Criteria

Land and Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Secure land tenure
  • Meaningful stakeholder engagement
  • Indigenous Peoples' and Local Community (IPLC) consent and engagement

Technical and Ecological Appropriateness:

  • Informed species selection and seed sourcing using native species
  • Appropriate restoration methodologies
  • Level of technical expertise from foresters, biologists, horticulturalists, or those knowledgeable on reforestation practices
  • Awareness of potential risks to young trees
  • Plans for necessary site preparations

Monitoring and Maintenance:

  • Proposed maintenance strategies to achieve 80-90% tree survival rate
  • Clear monitoring and reporting plans
  • GPS-verified photos and regular updates on tree survival

Project Purpose and Impact:

  • Tree planting undertaken for forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, agroforestry, or community benefits
  • Not for large-scale commercial timber harvesting
  • Community involvement and benefits

Monitoring Strategy

One Tree Planted's five-pillar monitoring approach includes:

  1. Project Proposal & Vetting
  2. Partner Reporting & GPS Verified Photos
  3. Drone & Satellite Imagery Monitoring
  4. Site Visits
  5. Emergent Technology Trials

Projects require regular reports from planting partners along with GPS-coordinated photos. Once planting is completed, the MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) team maps and records the growing trees, analyzing impact on forest health, biodiversity, and surrounding communities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Meet the 10,000-tree minimum: This is a hard requirement for partnership eligibility
  • Demonstrate technical expertise: Include team members with credentials in forestry, biology, horticulture, or reforestation practices
  • Secure community support: Projects must have meaningful stakeholder engagement and IPLC consent where applicable
  • Plan for 80-90% survival: Include detailed monitoring and maintenance plans to achieve high tree survival rates
  • Use native species: Projects must be ecologically appropriate with informed species selection and local seed sourcing
  • Emphasize non-commercial benefits: Focus on restoration, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, or community benefits rather than timber harvesting
  • Consider impact funds: If your project aligns with wildfire restoration, urban forestry, or women's empowerment, highlight these aspects
  • Be prepared for thorough vetting: One Tree Planted evaluates restoration methods, ecological impacts, stakeholder consultation, and project legacy through monitoring
  • Expect 3-8 week review timeline: Plan accordingly for funding decisions

References

All sources accessed December 2024

← Back to US Funders Directory