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California ReLeaf at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Public charity

California ReLeaf

California Releaf's mission is to empower grassroots efforts and build strategic partnerships that preserve, protect and enhance California's urban and community forests.

$160k
Granted FY2025still arriving
10
Grants FY2025still arriving
1
States reached
$10k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Environment$3.7MRecreation & Sports$230kCommunity Improvement$147kHuman Services$139kEducation$99kFood & Nutrition$54kArts & Culture$48kReligion$47kOther$0
02FY2025 · 10 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 10 grants below total $79,940, the rows itemized in this filing. The $160,440 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $80,500 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k6 grants · $40k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $40k
$8,696
Median grant
1
States reached
$709k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
United Latinos$10,189
Sustainable Claremont$10,017
Community Action for Sustaina$10,000
Social and Environmental Entr$10,000
Ventura Tree Alliance$8,696
Little Manila Foundation$8,000
Canopy$6,500
Butte Environmental Council$6,430
Rebuilding Together Petaluma$5,086
Koreatown Youth & Community$5,022
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–25, $137k) land where the poverty rate runs at 17%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%SistersWE: $6k → 14%North Coast Opportunities: $88k → 18%SanBernardino Fatherhood: $12k → 14%North Coast Opportunities: $12k → 18%Pomona Community Foundation: $15k → 14%Koreatown Youth & Community: $5k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 21% of California ReLeaf’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address. By recipient address, 100% of the giving stays in CA; by stated purpose, 69%.

California ReLeaflessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address · 31% directed abroad (not shown)
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

86%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$3.2M · 40 repeat orgs$513k to everyone else

40 repeat relationships: 2 still active in FY2025, 38 since wound down; 8 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

40
25

Total granted

$3.2M
$449k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+24%
+64%

Still filing today

65%
56%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 21% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $63k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’20’21’22’23’24’25
EnvironmentHuman ServicesHousing & ShelterRecreation & SportsEducationEmploymentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • SC
    Sustainable Claremont
    8× · 2017–2025 · $233k · revenue +457% · 33% of their budget
  • AD
    AMIGOS DE LOS RIOS
    5× · 2017–2024 · $227k · revenue +56%
  • NE
    North East Trees Inc
    7× · 2017–2024 · $169k · revenue +248%

Funded once

  • Earth Island Institute Incgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $83k · revenue +148%
  • AC
    A CLEANER GREENER EAST LA
    one grant, 2020 · $33k
  • FO
    FRIENDS OF SANTA ANA ZOOgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $33k · revenue +100%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Plant Tomorrow

Starting and planting trees for reforestation and urban areas. Reducing carbon emissions to reduce impacts of global warming.

—
2
Smart Yards Education

To improve the living standards of low income, unskilled workers in silicon valley by offering education in ecological landscaping and cooperative business models

Environment
3
Sustainable Conservation

Sustainable Conservation advances the collaborative stewardship of Californias land, air, and water for the benefit of nature and people. For over three decades, Sustainable Conservation has built coalitions of people with different…

Environment
4
Communities for Sustainable Monterey County

Recruiting and training volunteers that implement changes in the cities of Monterey County that include the establishment and operation of Community Gardens; the planting of tees on urban street; teaching citizens how to reduce the amount…

Environment
5
Urban Tilth

Urban Tilth is a California nonprofit organization committed to educate diverse communities about organic gardening and to support a network of gardens dedicated to sustainable, local food production. Urban Tilth insipires, hires, and…

Environment
6
Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry Dba Our Community Forestry

To restore, protect, and build resilient urban tree canopies in Oregon, with a focus on underserved and climate-vulnerable communities. The organization provides tree planting, preservation, education, workforce development, and long-term…

Environment
7
Community Conservation Solutions

Develop integrated and science-based solutions to complex environmental problems to protect natural lands, water, wildlife and human communities.

—
8
Sonoma Botanical Garden
—
9
Sustainable Contra Costa

Sustainable Contra Costa conducts educational outreach campaigns workshops and events to help people and communities live sustainably and build healthy communities.

Environment
10
Sierra Foothill Conservancy

Protect, manage and preserve lands and wildlife having unique natural resources and cultural qualities within and near the foothills of the sierra nevada range.

Environment
11
Tuolumne River Preservation Trust dba Yosemite Rivers Alliance

At Yosemite Rivers Alliance, we unite conservation and community to protect and restore the three rivers that ?ow through the Yosemite Regionthe Tuolumne, Stanislaus, and Merced.

—
12
Tree Davis

The mission of Tree Davis is to improve the health and resilience of our communities by enhancing and expanding Climate-Ready Trees and Landscapes through direct action, community engagement, and advocacy.

Unclassified
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Sustainable Solano Inc; the most unlike its peers is Butte Environmental Council. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

52 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 52 of the 75 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

3
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
18
Early backer (in before they grew)
47/52
Grantees still filing
32/52
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Sustainable Claremont: $233,023 · EnvironmentSustainable ClaremontNorth East Trees Inc: $169,374 · EnvironmentNorth East Trees IncCalifornia ReLeaf: $156,408 · EnvironmentCalifornia ReLeafCOMMON VISION: $138,473 · EnvironmentCOMMON VISIONTREEPEOPLE INC: $117,523 · EnvironmentTREEPEOPLE INCButte Environmental Council: $113,549 · EnvironmentButte Environmental CouncilEarth Island Institute Inc: $82,758 · EnvironmentEarth Island Institute IncWATSONVILLE WETLANDS WATCH: $78,060 · EnvironmentTree Fresno: $71,195 · EnvironmentTREE SAN DIEGO: $64,410 · EnvironmentEARTHTEAM: $50,542 · EnvironmentCALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION NOW: $50,247 · Environment+9 more: $152,432 · Environment+9 moreGrants to Orgs Under 5000: $136,328 · OtherGrants to Orgs Under 5000CLEAN & GREEN POMONA: $116,435 · OtherCLEAN & GREEN POMONACalifornia Climate Action Now: $87,975 · OtherCalifornia Climate Action NowChicana Directors Initiative: $83,111 · OtherChicana Directors InitiativeOROVILLE BOTANIC GARDEN AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER: $79,721 · OtherCalipatria Chamber of Commerce: $74,918 · OtherFROM LOT TO SPOT: $69,104 · OtherMadera Coalition of Community Justice: $62,339 · OtherPARADISE RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT: $61,428 · OtherCenter for Regenerative Agriculture: $58,399 · OtherSOUTHEAST FRESNO COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSN: $62,076 · Other+30 more: $645,866 · Other+30 moreSOCIAL GOOD FUND INC: $194,208 · EducationGreen Technical Education and Employment: $43,995 · Education+1 more: $6,639 · EducationAMIGOS DE LOS RIOS: $226,658 · PhilanthropyCIRCUIT RIDER COMMUNITY SERVICES: $104,999 · EmploymentURBAN CORPS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY: $72,222 · EmploymentREDDING PARKS FOUNDATION: $121,389 · Recreation & SportsOakland Parks and Recreation Foundation: $47,330 · Recreation & SportsNORTH COAST OPPORTUNITIES INC: $99,965 · Human ServicesPomona Community Foundation: $14,563 · Human ServicesSAN BERNARDINO FATHERHOOD: $12,130 · Human ServicesSisters in Birth: $5,500 · Human ServicesKOREATOWN YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTER: $5,022 · Human Services
Environment$1,477,994Other$1,537,700Education$244,842Philanthropy$226,658Employment$177,221Recreation & Sports$168,719Human Services$137,180

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetSustainable Claremont: $233,023 over 8y, 33% of budgetAMIGOS DE LOS RIOS: $226,658 over 5y, 4.0% of budgetSOCIAL GOOD FUND INC: $194,208 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetNorth East Trees Inc: $169,374 over 7y, 3.0% of budgetCalifornia ReLeaf: $156,408 over 2y, 5.9% of budgetCOMMON VISION: $138,473 over 5y, 7.7% of budgetREDDING PARKS FOUNDATION: $121,389 over 4y, 12% of budgetTREEPEOPLE INC: $117,523 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetButte Environmental Council: $113,549 over 4y, 30% of budgetCIRCUIT RIDER COMMUNITY SERVICES: $104,999 over 4y, 5.9% of budgetNORTH COAST OPPORTUNITIES INC: $99,965 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetEarth Island Institute Inc: $82,758 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetWATSONVILLE WETLANDS WATCH: $78,060 over 3y, 2.7% of budgetCalipatria Chamber of Commerce: $74,918 over 2y, 59% of budgetURBAN CORPS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY: $72,222 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetTree Fresno: $71,195 over 3y, 8.4% of budgetTREE SAN DIEGO: $64,410 over 2y, 9.9% of budgetMadera Coalition of Community Justice: $62,339 over 2y, 2.3% of budgetSOUTHEAST FRESNO COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSN: $62,076 over 3y, 25% of budgetCenter for Regenerative Agriculture: $58,399 over 2y, 22% of budgetEARTHTEAM: $50,542 over 2y, 8.2% of budgetEpiscopal Impact Fund FKA Episcopal Charities: $47,437 over 2y, 3.9% of budgetOakland Parks and Recreation Foundation: $47,330 over 2y, 1.7% of budgetGreen Technical Education and Employment: $43,995 over 3y, 3.3% of budgetYUBA SUTTER REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL: $35,836 over 3y, 4.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF SANTA ANA ZOO: $33,072 over 1y, 3.3% of budgetPacific Housing Inc: $30,753 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetOUR CITY FOREST: $30,483 over 1y, 1.5% of budgetFathers and Families of San Joaquin: $26,957 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL CENTER OF SAN LUIS OBISPO: $24,983 over 2y, 4.5% of budgetLUMBERCYCLE: $23,991 over 2y, 11% of budgetREGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION: $18,387 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetEmpowerment Works Inc: $15,417 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetPomona Community Foundation: $14,563 over 1y, 12% of budgetTHE WATERSHED PROJECT: $13,775 over 1y, 2.1% of budgetSAN BERNARDINO FATHERHOOD: $12,130 over 1y, 9.9% of budgetSUSTAINABLE SOLANO INC: $8,136 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetEL DORADO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER: $7,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetThe Climate Center: $6,639 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCanopy: $6,500 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetSAN JOAQUIN RIVER PARKWAY & CONSERVATION TRUST: $6,164 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSisters in Birth: $5,500 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetFood Exploration and Discovery: $5,500 over 1y, 2.4% of budgetREBUILDING TOGETHER PETALUMA INC: $5,086 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetKOREATOWN YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTER: $5,022 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

PatagoniaorgThe San Francisco Fou…National Arbor Day Fo…The Rose Foundation f…East Bay Community Fo…The California Endowm…Resources Legacy FundLiberty Hill Foundati…Clif Family FoundationKaiser Foundation Hos…Marin Community Found…The California Wellne…
PatagoniaorgCA20× affinity9 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Patagoniaorg · The San Francisco Foundation · National Arbor Day Foundation · The Rose Foundation for Communities the Environment · East Bay Community Foundation · The California Endowment · Resources Legacy Fund · Liberty Hill Foundation · Clif Family Foundation · Kaiser Foundation Hospitals · Marin Community Foundation · The California Wellness Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization California ReLeaf funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from California ReLeaf. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%4%15%34%60%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    17report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to California ReLeaf?

    Find your warmest path to California ReLeaf through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 75 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on California ReLeaf’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home