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Speak for the Trees Inc

EIN 82-5492599 · Dorchester, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE SIZE AND HEALTH OF THE URBAN TREE CANOPY IN BOSTON

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$978,232
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
62
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$101,160, co-founder & executive dir

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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 125% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

    9 of 10 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

    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 (1)
  1. $723,855 spent. THE ORGANIZATION VIEWS TREE PLANTING, CARE, AND STEWARDSHIP AS A WAY TO CONNECT RESIDENTS TO THEMSELVES, THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT. THE ORGANIZATION RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES AND THE ROLE THAT EVERY RESIDENT CAN TAKE IN PLANTING AND CARING FOR TREES. THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND MORE DEEPLY ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN THEIR WORK.THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO PARTNERING WITH THE NUMEROUS EXISTING LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD A HEALTHY URBAN FOREST. THROUGH ROBUST COLLABORATIONS AND SHARED BEST PRACTICES, THE ORGANIZATION CREATES CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS ACCORDING TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS, GEOGRAPHY, AND STRUCTURE OF EACH NEIGHBORHOOD. THE ORGANIZATION ENVISIONS A CITY WITH A HEALTHY TREE CANOPY THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ISSUES OF EQUITY SUCH AS DIVERSITY, RACE, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, AND GEOGRAPHY.THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR UPDATED MUNICIPAL POLICIES GOVERNING TREE PLANTING, NEIGHBORHOOD PRIORITIZATION, AND LENGTH OF CARE TO ENSURE TREES ARE EFFICIENTLY PLANTED AND STRATEGICALLY PLACED IN COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THEM MOST.IN 2024 THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WERE ACCOMPLISHED AND COMPLETED: 59 TREES PLANTED, 295 TREES WATER, 25 YOUTH HIRED, 200 INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED AND EDUCATED.

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 November 6, 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 2019.

    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 November 4, 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.