Trees for the Future does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
TFTF does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
TFTF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
TFTF does not meet this Standard because the most 2020 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the organization's board of directors.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
19
Trees for the Future meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Trees for the Future (TFTF) reports that it seeks to end hunger and poverty by training farmers to regenerate their land. The organization states that its four-year training program, Forest Garden Approach, educates farmers how to plant specific types of fast-growing trees, fruit trees, hardwoods, and food crops in a systematic manner to bring nutrients back to the soil. The increase in trees and sustainable food sources lead to an increase in food supply, livestock feed, wood fuel, and sellable products that increase farmers annual income. In 2020, TFTF reports that it planted 8,852,571 trees in Tanzania and assisted 15,072 farmers and their families. In addition, the organization states that it held 7,736 farmer trainings in Uganda with farmers and local technicians.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Trees for the Future's program expenses were:
Program services |
$3,834,163 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$3,834,163 |
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Chief Executive
John Leary, Executive Director
-
Compensation*
$157,650
-
Chair of the Board
Mark Brown
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Strayer Education Inc.
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Board Size
10
-
Paid Staff Size
180
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Radio, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 17% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $5,261,022 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Trees for the Future's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Source of Funds |
Contributions |
$5,261,022 |
Other income |
$18,143 |
Interest and dividends |
$10,407 |
Realized and unrealized gains on investments |
$2,480 |
Total Income |
$5,292,052 |
- Programs: 76%
- Fundraising: 17%
- Administrative: 7%
Total Income |
$5,292,052 |
Program expenses |
$3,834,163 |
Fundraising expenses |
$888,264 |
Administrative expenses |
$356,556 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$5,078,983 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$213,069 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$2,097,489 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
Ending Net Assets |
$2,310,558 |
Total Liabilities |
$64,249 |
Total Assets |
$2,374,807 |
Note: According to TFTF's 2019 audited financial statements, the organization received $15,596 in donated office space ($13,416) and other items ($2,180).