Tree Folks Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Empowering central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees.
- Income
- $2.5 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 28
- Volunteers
- 2,833
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 71 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (4)
- $648,909 spent. Reforestation. The Central Texas Floodplain Reforestation Program (CTFRP) continued large-scale reforestation, planting 50,501 saplings across 66.84 acres of degraded floodplain land to improve ecosystem function and sequester carbon. The program also advanced TreeFolks participation in the carbon credit market, generating revenue through the sale of verified Carbon credits and creating a growing, flexible funding stream to support mission-driven work.
- $641,878 spent. Tree Distibution. The NeighborWoods Program distributed 7,788 trees to City of Austin residents and community partners. Along with education and resources on tree planting and care, the program aims to both distribute trees and support their long-term survival.
- $408,992 spent. Communitrees. The Community Tree Planting Program planted 12,022 trees across 23 sites in Austin, prioritizing historically underserved neighbor hoods to support equitable access to urban canopy. Through this program, TreeFolks also organized six tree care activities at community planting sites, which included hands-on education and training. A record 2,833 volunteers contributed approximately 10,000 hours of service across TreeFolks programs, strengthening community connection while expanding urban canopy, reducing heat island impacts, and improving overall environmental resilience - all in support of TreeFolks mission to empower Central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees.
- $104,298 spent. Nursery. The Seeds to Trees Native Nursery expanded production capacity, growing and propagating 12,589 native saplings and collecting 660,000 locally adapted seeds to ensure a sustainable pipeline for future reforestation efforts.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending July 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.