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Tree San Diego

EIN 46-5183143 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TREE SAN DIEGO IS A 501C3 DEDICATED TO ENHANCING THE QUALITY, DENSITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE REGIONS URBAN FORESTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$909,290
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 86%
Employees
7
Volunteers
4,455
Highest pay
$102,700, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 47% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 58% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $369,659 spent. PLAN AND PLANT --- P&P PROJECT AIMS TO TRANSFORM SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S URBAN FORESTRY LANDSCAPE BY ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHALLENGES AND EQUITY GAPS. BY ENHANCING TREE COVER, DEVELOPING A SKILLED GREEN WORKFORCE, AND FOSTERING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, WE'RE WORKING TO BUILD A GREENER, HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR ALL COMMUNITIES.
  2. $88,836 spent. TREEJECTORY PLUS: TREEJECTORY+ OFFERS A PAID EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SERVING DAC AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES THROUGH URBAN-FORESTRY FOCUSED EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND JOB PLACEMENT. TREEJECTORY+ PROVIDES HANDS-ON, GUIDED EXPERIENCE THAT LEADS TO VIABLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING IN INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES FROM ISA CERTIFIED ARBORISTS. THIS PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES THE TREE PLANTING OF 150 TREES IN DAC COMMUNITIES.
  3. $295,823 spent. OTHER

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 2014.

    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.