WHY WE DO IT Friends of Trees was founded in 1989 with the idea of fostering community-based urban forestry. Portland's vibrant urban canopy is the only one in a major U.S. city that has increased in size in that time. Portland State University professor Joseph Poracsky has stated: Friends of Trees is doing something right, and they are a key part of the story of canopy increase in Portland. While not likely the only factor, there is a 'Friends of Trees Effect. The cumulative impact Friends of Trees has on communities is real and lasting. Many people who plant trees with us end up following the growth of individual trees over their lifetime. Often the phrase, "Hey, I planted that," can be heard from long-time volunteers who take pride in, and are vested in, the health of trees and neighborhoods. The most innovative aspect of our model is our nationally-recognized, awardwinning volunteer and planting programs. Our "train-the-trainer" model allows us to run large-scale programs with relatively few staff. We create opportunities for community members to develop a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, the benefits of trees and community. They consistently share their knowledge with neighbors, colleagues, and decision-makers to help improve their cities, sometimes form their own neighborhood groups. At the broadest level, our programs address global climate change. They restore, balance, and improve the natural integrity of our urban centers. Urban trees are often considered the first defense to global climate change due to their proximity to population and their low-cost, high-return values to both the natural and developed communities. In addition to carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen production, trees and green spaces enhance landscape resiliency in the face of climate change, reduce urban heat island effects, improve air and water quality, create wildlife habitat, increase neighborhood access to nature, mitigate non-point pollution, boost property values and add aesthetic beauty to our urban environments. Strong, healthy trees are a critical component of green infrastructure. Investment in community-based planting and care of these trees, as well as an engaged and educated public, are the most effective ways to maintain this system, especially in the face of ever-changing public funding priorities. Many recent national studies have recognized, valued, and quantified the environmental, economic, and social values of this "green infrastructure and show that every $1 invested in urban trees creates $2 $4 in community benefits. AND WHY YOU SHOULD, TOO
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HOW WE DO IT 4,387 individuals volunteered more than 32,000 hours during the 2013-2014 season We organize more than 90 public planting events from October to May in Oregon and Washington We recruit and train key volunteer leaders approximately 12 times per year Our events are fun, safe and efficient we make it easy to get (and stay) involved AWARD-WINNING PROGRAMS Neighborhood Trees: planting large street and yard trees for residents Green Space Initiative: native habitat restoration in green spaces and parks Community Tree Care: pruning of young street trees MISSION & OPERATIONS Friends of Trees empowers people to improve the natural world around them through a simple solution: Planting Trees. Together. Founded in 1989 - celebrating our 25 th Anniversary in 2014 Planted more than 500,000 trees and native shrubs Friends of Trees is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation 20 full-time staff members, 3 part-time employees 2 offices (Portland & Eugene) serving 20 municipalities in 6 counties $2.1 million operating budget Funded by individual donors, tree fees, business support, government contracts, private foundation grants, in-kind donations, and special fundraising events
VOLUNTEER DEMOGRAPHICS In 2012-2013, we surveyed more than 4,300 individuals who volunteered with us to learn more about them. 529 individuals responded more than 11% of everyone who volunteered with Friends of Trees that season. These are the people that power Friends of Trees and are the ones you re most likely to reach as a business sponsor. Who they are They re involved. o 45% volunteer for other organizations at least once per month and more than 95% volunteer at least once per year. They re loyal. o 64% would definitely or more likely support a business if it provided financial support to Friends of Trees o 58% had volunteered with us previously They have broad age diversity. 50-59 years 16% 40-49 years 19% 60 years 10% 20 years 9% They re employed across diverse sectors. Healthcare 7.2% Corporate 7.0% Non-profit 10.0% 30-39 years 29% 21-29 years 17% Why they volunteer To make a difference. o More than 65% were motivated to volunteer to make a difference in their city. To improve wildlife habitat, water quality and to be outdoors and get exercise o More than 54% volunteered because they wanted to improve habitat and water quality, as well as be outdoors and get exercise. To build community, meet people and work with others o 47% liked these aspects of the event the most We deliver the unexpected o Even though making a difference and doing tangible work were two of the top motivations for volunteering, only 20% of respondents liked these things the most about the event. o Our events deliver the unexpected pleasure of meeting new people and working together towards a common goal. What they say I loved working outdoors with my children and showing them how to get out and make a difference, and to show them how many other people are getting out and planting trees to help the habitat of the future. I loved meeting my neighbors. I just bought my first house in April of 2012 and have not met many people in my neighborhood. This was fun and a positive experience for me. I felt a sense of community when I was volunteering. I really continue to do this because of the community-building aspect. The lovely conversations that I hear around me and the laughter and people getting dirty and feeling good about the work done is all magic. The fact that we planted some big trees or lots of little ones and I get to see how they grow over the years and how things change because of this new habitat reveals itself later and keeps me coming back to the same plantings year after year. My favorite part of the day was having drivers pass by our site and honk and yell thank you out their windows. It felt awesome to be giving back and having a community that supports it! Small business 7.6% Public service 8.5% Education 12.4% I love the way strangers come together and leave as friends and neighbors after planting trees together. Seeing that many people, young and old and all ages, working together in a worthwhile project. Many willing workers accomplished a lot of good. Sense of cooperation from staff and volunteers.
SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE Friends of Trees maintains an active presence in the online and social media communities and is constantly improving ways in which to engage our volunteers, recognize our sponsors and activate our supporters through these outlets. www.friendsoftrees.org 177,000 annual visitors Growth Rings blog 39,000 annual visitors TreeMail e-newsletter distributed to more than 14,000 households every 4-6 weeks >8,500 Likes on Facebook >6,300 Twitter followers Actively-managed Instagram, YouTube and Flickr accounts Frequent postings to VolunteerMatch, HandsOn Greater Portland, CNRG, Neighborhood Notes and Craigslist CURRENT BUSINESS PARTNERS Our work relies upon the generous support of community-minded businesses. Their support is a powerful endorsement of Friends of Trees impact and strengthens our capacity and influence for many years to come.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Sponsoring Friends of Trees events can benefit your business with the positive contributions you make possible, with exposure to our large network of volunteers and supporters, and with meaningful, turnkey volunteer opportunities for your employees. Here are the different ways you can support us! Planting Event Sponsorship Friends of Trees organizes more than 90 volunteer-based neighborhood tree and restoration planting events every Saturday from October to May throughout the Portland-Vancouver metro region, as well as Salem, Eugene, and Springfield. We actively engage between 60-200 volunteers at each event. We d love to have you join us for an event or two this season! We provide a myriad of benefits to our sponsors, including: invitation to speak directly to our volunteers at the event; facilitated, turnkey group volunteer opportunities for your employees; recognition on our website, newsletter, calendar and in our volunteer emails; social media promotional support. You ll also receive a Planting Sponsor web badge that you can place on your website or storefront to demonstrate your commitment to your community, the environment and Friends of Trees. We will work to match you to events that are targeted for your needs. We can help you choose planting events based on geography, historical attendance or other demographic considerations. Please refer to this season s planting calendar to see where and when we organize events and where your business might be a good fit.
Planting Partner Program This program presents an alternative method for businesses to support to Friends of Trees at levels lower than a traditional planting event sponsorship. The Planting Partner program is scalable to virtually any level and is an environmentally-beneficial, communityfriendly way to promote product sales, recognize new customers, honor employee achievements or other company milestones. If your business is built on sustainable ideals or aspires to align with them, the Planting Partner program can help you reach those goals. As a Planting Partner with Friends of Trees, you ll receive recognition and benefits at non-sponsor levels. At the end of the planting season, we ll send you a letter certifying that your trees were planted. You ll also receive a Planting Partner web badge that you can place on your website, printed materials or storefront to demonstrate your commitment to your community, the environment and Friends of Trees. Here s how it works You simply buy a set number of trees to match your needs OR donate a set amount of money, representing a certain number of trees You then communicate, market and/or gift the trees you purchased in the ways that work best for your situation The trees are planted by Friends of Trees volunteers in-season, between October May, at an existing planting event in the Willamette Valley These are small native trees that are planted in natural areas and green spaces as part of our Green Space Initiative (GSI) program Money raised in this program directly supports our community-based tree planting and tree care events that are focused on restoring native habitat and improving water quality at green spaces and public parks throughout the Willamette Valley. The Value of Your Business Partnership Our mission is to inspire stewardship of our communities and the environment by bringing people together to plant and care for urban trees and natural areas. Your support will help us make that a reality. Planting Partner Program Pricing structure 50-199 trees for $5/tree 200-349 trees for $4/tree 350-499 trees for $3.50/tree 500-749 trees for $3.00/tree 750-999 trees for $2.75/tree 1000+ trees for $2.50/tree *Trees are available in blocks of 50.* Together we will make our communities healthier and more climate resilient, we will reduce urban heat island effects, we will improve air and water quality and we will increase neighborhood access to nature and promote healthier lifestyles for children and familes. In addition, your support not only provides actual dollars to support our programming, but also allows us to show other businesses, individuals and foundations that our community support is wide-ranging, robust and pertinent. Thank you for considering support for Friends of Trees as a business sponsor!