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Forest Releaf of Missouri

EIN 43-1615929 · Saint Louis, MO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH COMMUNITIES BY GROWING AND PLANTING TREES THROUGH THE POWER OF PEOPLE AND PARTNERSHIPS. THIS EFFORT SUPPORTS OUR VISION OF A MORE RESILIENT TREE CANOPY IN MISSOURI'S COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORTS HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY HABITATS, AND A HEALTHY PLANET.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
16.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
19
Volunteers
2,510

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $330,987 spent. Other programming services - partner with local government agencies to conduct an urban tree canopy assessment in the St. Louis, Missouri area, an effort that serves as a benchmark for measuring the success of tree planting programs and helping educate the public about the many benefits of urban trees.
  2. $325,155 spent. Priority ReLeaf Program: 566 trees planted for FRM projects, 736 street trees planted; 1,822 trees planted; 1,288 trees mulched; 344 trees pruned; 1,981 trees stewarded; 93% tree survival rate.
  3. $150,427 spent. Treesilience Program: Engagement - 3 orientations, 1 Go Deeper Retreat, 3 virtual Treesilience intros with North Newstead, 2 industry speaking events; Revenue generated - $250 Urban Harvest Stewardship day, $500 TNC webinar; Impact - 43 stakeholders accepted, 51 trees pruned or removed, 36 trees and shrubs planted on 10 properties, 760 industry professional and community menmbers engaged.
  4. $134,835 spent. Communitree Program: 13,254 trees left the nursery; 18,400 trees potted, 492 trees uppotted into 15 gallon pots, 80 trees uppotted into 7 gallon pots; 7,379 volunteer hours. Improvement in the quality of plants, increased nursery safety and appearance, maintained volunteer satisfaction and retainment.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.