Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To encourage the planting of 18 billion edible fruit trees under organic, humane standards. To benefit the environment, human health, and animal welfare by strategically planting fruit and nut tree orchards where they will best serve communities for decades to follow. This includes planting any edible, medicinal, or environmentally beneficial trees or plants.
- Income
- $230,440
- Spending
- $272,113
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 69.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $53,325, vp and cfo
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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 69.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 252 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (10)
- $145,664 spent. FRUIT RELIEF PROGRAM FTPFs Fruit Relief program involves strategically planting fruit trees where the harvest will most benefit impoverished communitiesin low-income neighborhoods and international hunger relief sitesand distributing fruit trees directly to families in need to provide a source of nutrition in their backyards for decades to follow. Educational programs on fruit tree care are also provided at various workshops and distribution events. As a result of such orchard donations, life-saving sustenance is provided and local volunteers, many of whom are in difficult situations themselves, are empowered to take action for their environment.
- $64,556 spent. FRUITFUL COMMUNITIES This program involves working with community groups, nonprofits such as food banks, and public parks across the country to create community orchards, which provide a long-term source of nutrition for the neighborhood.
- $20,054 spent. FRUIT TREE 101 PROGRAM FTPFs Fruit Tree 101 program donates and plants fruit tree orchards at public schools of all levels, around the world, to provide generations of students and teachers with healthy nutrition options and environmental education opportunities. Students and teachers participate in plantings with FTPF administering a curriculum focused on sustainability and healthy nutrition, thereby inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. Many schools use the orchards as outdoor classrooms to teach concepts in botany and ecology. One school district official wrote that they expect the orchards to last for decades, giving our students the opportunity to receive environmental education that would not otherwise be available to them. The orchards also provide a source of produce for improved nutrition in school lunch programs.
- $12,904 spent. TREES FOR TRIBESFTPFs Trees for Tribes program provides fruit and nut tree orchards to communities on Native American reservations. The trees and harvest provide environmental benefits and healthy sustenance to combat obesity and diabetes. Orchards last for generations and are donated strictly for the benefit of the tribe.
- $3,180 spent. AFTERCARE FTPF serves as an ongoing resource for orchard recipients by providing horticultural expertise, guidance, and follow-up visits and consultation. This includes workshops and seminars on advanced topics such as pruning and organic, animal- and eco-friendly tree maintenance. FTPF works with orchard caretakers throughout the year to ensure vibrant, thriving fruit trees.
- $3,174 spent. CONSERVATION & NURSERIES In order to conserve valuable land resources on the planet and create fruit tree forests and tree farms for the benefit of communities, FTPF preserves lands it has acquired and the fruit trees within them. At its Na Piko property, FTPF is setting up a unique, eco-friendly demonstration site to inspire visitors and support its regional programs.
- $2,449 spent. ROOTS OF RECOVERY This program involves planting fruit trees at facilities where the harvest will help patients and at-risk residentsplaces such as hospitals, healing centers, drug rehabilitation facilities, and prisons. Studies show that exposure to nature and plants can reduce stress within minutes, and this program seeks to use horticultural therapy to advance healing and recovery.
- $1,034 spent. OUTREACH To meet its goal of planting and inspiring the planting of fruit trees for the benefit of the environment and all its inhabitants, FTPF serves as a valuable resource to members of the publicencouraging them to plant and providing helpful resources, including seeds, written materials including its Home Orchard Handbook, direct communication, and workshops and seminars.
- ORCHARDS FOR ANIMALS FTPFs Orchards for Animals program improves lives for rescued animals on sanctuaries by providing fruit trees for shade, shelter, enrichment, and healthy diets. When the trees mature, animals are able to enjoy delicious fruits and foraging opportunities. During times of extreme heat or precipitation, animals can seek shade and shelter under the trees without being away from their food source. Fruit trees allow for the most natural diet available to animals, plucked fresh off the tree with no chemicals or pesticides.
- REFORESTATION Forests are home to countless fauna and flora and serve a critical role in the planets health and well-being. Planting trees to expand existing forests or create new ones is a simple and direct way to improve ecosystems and promote clean air, water, and soil. FTPF plants region-appropriate trees in partnership with local authorities to increase biodiversity and tree canopy in forests across the world.
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
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 December 2024.
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 December 2002.
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.