2020 Annual Report
table of contents
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A MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
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N E W S T R AT E G I C DIRECTION
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PAT H WAY S TO CAREERS
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PLANTING TREES
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PARTNERSHIP
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FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
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SUPPORTERS
A MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP On behalf of the Tree Trust board of directors and staff, we proudly share our 2020 Annual Report. We hope this letter finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. We will remember the challenges of 2020 for generations to come: a global pandemic, school closures, working remotely, and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. These events illuminated the importance of our mission and the need to create positive momentum in our community and environment. To ensure each of our 274 participants could achieve their career and educational goals, Tree Trust quickly adapted our programs and services. We delivered new methods of support, teaching, and training, and addressed logistical hurdles by reducing crew sizes and increasing our number of transportation vehicles. Most importantly, we maintained safe social distancing and provided our participants with new technology tools to stay connected. Our Landscape Services division developed contactless practices to estimate work and provide exemplary service to customers. Moreover, we continue to lead in the tree care industry by investing in career training through registered apprenticeship. Together with staff and volunteers, our Community Forestry programs expanded their impact by planting over 4,000 trees. We held our first-ever tree distribution in St. Paul, safely welcomed volunteers back to community planting events with COVID-19 guidelines in place, and provided a positive and inspiring tree planting experience for over 150 volunteers. Tree Trust developed new mission and vision statements in 2020 and defined core focus areas to guide our work to help us meet the changing needs of the community. New Career Pathways training programs, aligned with Tree Trust’s Community Forestry and Landscape Services, were launched to make skilled trade, green industry, and arboriculture careers accessible to young people who otherwise may not learn about these family-sustaining wage opportunities. The 2020 Tree Trust Annual Report illustrates what can be achieved through resilience, generosity, shared vision, and commitment. We believe you will find encouragement and inspiration in the following pages. Thank you to our donors, partners, volunteers, board, and staff for joining us in this life-changing work. As we look forward to 2021, we will build on the success of the past year and press on towards our goal of transforming lives and landscapes. Together, we will continue to make a difference. Sincerely,
Jared Smith Executive Director | CEO
S. Michael Huntington Board Chair
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New Strategic Direction Mission Our mission is to transform lives and landscapes by engaging people to build skills for meaningful careers, inspiring people to plant trees, and making our community a greener, healthier place to live.
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VISION Our vision is a thriving workforce living on a healthy planet.
CORE FOCUS AREAS Pathways to Careers: We equip people to achieve family-supporting, skilled trade, green careers to create economic opportunity and equity. Planting Trees: We are committed to planting trees to grow a vibrant and resilient urban forest. Partnership: Our model of work is collaborative – with each other, with our community partners, and with the people we serve.
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Pathways to careers
Equipping People to Achieve “I want to thank you so much for support and asking me how I’m doing in life and school. You have been supporting me in this journey economically and mentally. It means a lot to me. Thank you.” —F.T., graduated college with bachelor’s degree in December 2020
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274
80%
74%
young people served
earned post-program job placement or industry recognized credentials
earned educational placement, certifications, or diploma
We equip people to achieve family-supporting, skilled trade, green careers to create economic opportunity and equity. Social distancing didn’t stop us from safely serving hundreds of promising young people to get the training they needed to grow sustainable and meaningful careers. We launched two new green career programs, one in-person and one virtual, which offered participants the opportunity to explore in-demand green and skilled trades careers. Innovative programs like these are the foundation for connecting young people with their career goals and future employers.
Who We Serve
91%
57%
31%
are youth and young adults, ages 14-24
are black, indigenous, or people of color
are female
67%
63%
60%
are at-risk for not completing high school
have a diagnosed disability
identify as low income
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Implementing COVID-19 protocols and offering non-contact estimates were just a few ways Tree Trust Landscape Services adapted to provide essential services to our commercial and residential clients. Our team safely and effectively worked together to ensure our customers received exceptional service throughout the year. We also welcomed another apprentice trainee into our registered apprenticeship program. The tree care registered apprenticeship is a nationally recognized, high-quality career pathway that aims to help workers fast track career goals, avoid debt, and earn competitive wages.
“Best crew I’ve ever worked with.” —Sheila, Landscape Services customer “Once again, your company has proven to be professional, safe, consumer reliable, and community friendly.” —Kurt, Landscape Services customer
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Tree Trust Landscape Services “Four of your excellent and fast working guys did a superb job on my boulevard. Several of my neighbors have switched to Tree Trust Landscape Services after seeing their fine work this season.” —Don, Landscape Services customer
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4,100
Trees Planted We are committed to planting trees to grow a vibrant and resilient urban forest. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we safely engaged hundreds of people to plant thousands of trees. Six cities partnered with us to increase their tree canopy on private property, allowing us to distribute 2,786 trees. This year was the first tree sale for residents in the city of Saint Paul, thanks to a grant from the Arbor Day Foundation. It was clear by the smiles behind the masks that the act of planting a tree offered hope for a better tomorrow.
“It feels like we are doing something that’s actually tangible. To be able to get outside and plant a tree feels really nice.” —Kaitlyn, Saint Paul resident
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Planting Trees
Committed to Planting Trees “I think it’s important to plant trees to leave something for future generations.” —Esmé, volunteer “There are emerald ash borers targeting ash trees in the parks, so we need to protect the trees and plant more to keep the ecosystem thriving.” —Minami, volunteer
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LEADERSHIP Board of Directors S. Michael Huntington, Chair Rhea Rochon, Vice Chair Dana Beasley, Treasurer Gennae Falconer, Secretary Larry Crosby Kim Jenkins Douglas Peterson Thomas Redmann* Kurts Strelnieks Rolf Svendsen* Donald Willeke* *completed board service in 2020
Senior Leadership Team Jared Smith, Executive Director | CEO Kathy Sullivan, COO Anders Hawes, CFO Allen Malicsi, Director, Career Pathways Karen Zumach, Director, Community Forestry Dave Nozal, Director, IT & Project Development Bjorn Hawes, General Manager, Landscape Services
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PARTNERSHIP
116
156
partner volunteers Organizations Our model of work is collaborative – with each other, with our community partners, and with the people we serve. Every day, our partners—businesses, skilled trades employers, schools, municipalities, business advisory council members—together with volunteers, board, and staff, play a vital role in driving our mission forward. Working together, we advance our vision of a thriving workforce living on a healthy planet.
Our Model of Work is Collaborative “When I saw this volunteer opportunity, I was excited to get to be outside, represent Target, do good for the community that just sounds amazing!” —Erin, Target volunteer “Volunteering with Tree Trust has been a rewarding experience. It’s fun planting trees with my co-workers! The trees are going to add to the community and have a positive impact on the future.” —Hannah, Cigna volunteer
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Financial Responsibility Balance Sheet 1,605,050 384,659 722,554 382,133 130,805 3,225,201
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS Total Current & Long-term Liabilities Net Assets Without Donor Restriction Net Assets With Donor Restriction TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS
1,244,243 1,824,941 156,017 3,225,201
EXPENSES Management & General Fundraising Career Pathways Community Forestry Landscape Services TOTAL EXPENSES CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
2,010,147 571,147 2,143,976 95,406 4,820,676
717,804 159,431 1,653,803 551,534 1,393,662 4,476,234
Earned Income
Investment & Other Income
Revenue Source
12%
42%
Contributions
Financial Statement
REVENUE Government Grants Contributions Earned Income Investment & Other Income TOTAL REVENUE
44%
2%
ASSETS Cash & Cash Equivalents Investments Accounts & Pledges Receivable Property & Equipment Other Assets TOTAL ASSETS
12% Community Forestry
Government Grants
4%
37%
Fundraising
Career Pathways
Expense Allocation
16% Management & General
31% Landscape Services
344,442
*Unaudited financials. Full audited financials will be included on our website when available.
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Thank You Through one of the most challenging years in Tree Trust’s 44-year history, flexibility was the key to sustaining our programs and carrying out our mission. Thanks to you, our generous donors and funders, it was possible to provide safe, meaningful career training to hundreds of young people and inspire people to plant thousands of trees. You stood side by side with us, knowing that your gift to Tree Trust invests in the lives of promising young people. You are creating a thriving workforce on a healthy planet. You are reforesting the urban canopy, creating lasting change for generations to come. Thank you for transforming lives and landscapes.
“These are hard times in Minneapolis/ Saint Paul. I see Tree Trust as a positive contribution to the city and state that I love. Thank you for all you do!” —Michele, donor
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SUPPORTERS Corporate & Foundation Funders AmazonSmile Foundation American Forests Ameriprise Financial Arbor Day Foundation Beim Foundation Bloomington Lions Club Calmenson Foundation Cargill CenterPoint Energy Connexus Energy Foundation Cynthia Ali Studios Dakota Electric Association Ecolab Foundation EDP Foundation Elmer & Eleanor Anderson Foundation General Mills GiveMN I & G Charitable IAG Commercial Jaye F. and Betty F. Dyer Foundation McNeely Foundation Medtronic Minnesota Environmental Fund Northrup Grumman Opus Foundation Proof Alliance Radices Fund Rebuilding Together Twin Cities Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Royal Credit Union Securian Financial Foundation Smikis Foundation Target Foundation Tennant Foundation
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The Nash Foundation The Nature Conservancy TPAC Underwriters, Inc. Trinity Lutheran Church UnitedHealth Group Walser Foundation Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Foundation WEM Foundation Xcel Energy Foundation
Government Funders City of Eden Prairie City of Maplewood City of Mendota Heights City of Minneapolis Health Department City of Minnetonka City of St Louis Park Dakota County Employment and Economic Assistance Department Hennepin County Environment and Energy Hennepin County Human Resources Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority MN Department of Employment and Economic Development MN Pollution Control Agency Ramsey County Workforce Solutions U.S. Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Labor Washington County Community Services Department
SUPPORTERS Individual Donors $1,000+
BH Semler Family Fund Don Willeke Doug Peterson & Katie Anderson Douglas Winn & Susan Moore John Ollman Ken & Abby Dawkins Kirk Brown Kyle Wilson Larry Crosby Norman Bjornnes Patricia & G. Rolf Svendsen Peter D’Ascoli Rhea Rochon & Damien RochonWashington Ronald & Joan Cornwell S. Michael Huntington Stephanie Brody The Head Family Foundation Timothy & Christy Anderson Tom Edwards Anonymous (1)
$500—$999
Anthony Birdsong Cecelia Caspram Charlie Kramer Dana Beasley Jeff Larsen Jim Rustad Kathy Hawes Keith & Barbara Watschke Kim Jenkins Linda Kriel Liz & Lee Hickerson Mary Bang Mary Hunstiger
Norm Champ Paul & Carrie Martinson Foundation Richard Neuman Robert Beugen Sharon Pignato Stephen Eide Wayne Reffke Anonymous (1)
$100—$499
Aaron Solar Ann Longfellow Ann Novitske Anthony Scallon Arnulf Svendsen Barb & Mark Swanson Barbara Mauzy Barbara McGraw & Steven Mosow Becky & Kurts Strelnieks Beth Harrington Beverly Johnson Brandon Sturm Brian Thielke Brunell Family Charitable Fund Carl Baer Carol & Joe Stinar Cheryl Evans Chris Taylor Courtney O’Leary Craig Luedemann & Mary Robischon Cristina Curtis Dag & Pamela Sohlberg Dale & Barbara Weick Dale & Beth Raymakers Dave Muller David & Lynn Isaacson David Erpestad Diane Bruecker
denotes board member denotes Tree Trust staff member If we omitted or misspelled your name, please contact us: development@treetrust.org.
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SUPPORTERS Edward McGlynn Gennae Falconer Giampaolo Malin Greg Silverman Gregory Witt Heidi & Matthew Nordine James & Monica Preisen James Lenfestey James Ploumen Jane Oslund Jeffery McNaught & Lori Mittag Jeffrey & Patty Stewart Jeffrey A Dziuk John & Catherine Mulcahy John Christensen John Daniels John Halpern Kara Kurth Karen Nemchik Keith Kuffel Kirky Otto Lorna Levine Lucas Richards Mark McGuire Mark Noark Mary Johnson Michael Grossman Michele Bevis Monica Strelnieks Neal Holtan & Stephen Dent Pat McLaughlin Patricia Clawson Paul & Sally Kraske Peter Thompson R. Craig & Mariana Shulstad
Randy & Mary Klauk Randy Johnson Richard & Susan Goldman Richard Mast Robert Hand Steve Beuning Stuart & Linda Ruehle Teresa Loetscher Terrence Shaughnessy Thomas Johnson & Mary Dalhberg Johnson Tim Penny Vicki Turnquist & Tucker Plumstead W.R. Nickel III Wallace & Deborah Johnson Wendy Wehr William & Ann Fox William Wangensteen Anonymous (2)
$99 and under
Abby & Anders Hawes Amy & Nate Sanborn Angela Scott Annika Brink Barbara Rice Barbie Levine & Sara Lynn Newberger Bobbi Braaten Brian Rice Carol Epstein Carolyn R. Maier Cynthia Atsatt David Hunter David Kuzma David Radue
“When I learned what Tree Trust was doing, I went home to my wife and said, ‘We have to do something. We have to give.’” —Mark, donor
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SUPPORTERS Debbie Thompson Deborah Hartley Dennis & Linda Maetzold Diane Savino Donna & Edward Kraus Erika Schlaeger Dos Santos Evan Mulholland Gary Winter Greg Holmes Ian MacDonald Jack Dant James & Kathleen Wolf James Bixby Janet Weivoda Jay Parchure Jean Greenwood John & Ann Elward John Keimel & Ellen Kraft Jon Hawes Josh Williams Judith Horn Judy Cowden Julie Toth Kara Christenson Karen Leiferman Karla Williams Kelly Lundgren Ken Dahler Kyle Kujawa Laurie App Leah Bauman-Smith Mark & Jennifer Johnson Mark Ziehwein
Martha J. Mary Loberg & Mark Sonderup Mary Miller & Richard Conner Matt Boys Matthew Yank Maureen Keegan Micah & Amanda Fenlason Nancy Sparby Naomi Goloff Norman Grams Pam Jewson & Peter Swenson Paul Moss Pepin Gihring Phil Duran Phyllis Kahn Rebecca Shedd Ron & Susan Blum Sam Hauschild Sandra McAllister Shelby Macaulay Sigrid Ellis Stephanie Anderson Stephen & Sue Ann Rawlins Steven Bunnell Stuart Macdonald & Lisa Hinz Sue Tincher Tim Johnson Tom & Marilyn Miller Tomesha Smith Victor Cuevas Vinny Francois Xena Og Anonymous (7)
“Thanks for your good work. I have your trees planted in my yard and can’t think of a better way to honor the planet – by planting and teaching people how to plant.” —Barbara, donor
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