Business partnership

FAQs

Your business partnership questions answered.

About International Tree Foundation

  • International Tree Foundation is the world’s oldest tree planting organisation. We were established in Kenya in 1922 to plant trees through local communities. Our work plants trees, restores forests and Using a holistic approach, we collaborate with communities and partners to tackles social, economic, and environmental challenges.

  • International Tree Foundation exists to plant, protect and promote the silent work that trees do to help us all. It’s an endeavour we embarked on over 100 years ago. And is just as vital today as it was a century ago.

    Our mission is to plant trees and restore forests in places where they make the fastest, most lasting impact for the communities that plant them and the future of our planet.

  • We work around the world, with a particular focus on East Africa. Our tree planting projects are focused on high impact zones – places with threatened ecosystems, endangered tree species and vulnerable livelihoods, such as:

    • Highlands: Safeguarding vital water towers and key biodiversity hotspots.

    • Wetlands: Protecting areas teeming with rich biodiversity.

    • Drylands: Fighting desertification and restoring life to arid landscapes.

    • Coastlands: Preserving ecosystems under serious threat.

  • Our work in East Africa is making a real difference, driving progress on 8 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From boosting social and economic development to managing natural resources sustainably and tackling climate change head-on, we're creating fast and lasting impact where it makes the biggest difference.

  • Partnering with the International Tree Foundation allows your business to align with sustainability goals through impactful reforestation and community development projects. With over 100 years of expertise, ITF delivers measurable environmental and social benefits, including reforestation and sustainable livelihoods, while contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our transparent and collaborative approach offers customisable partnerships, from co-branded campaigns to employee tree-planting initiatives, which will enhance brand reputation, support your sustainability objectives and engage your staff and customers in meaningful environmental action.

    By partnering with ITF you’ll be showcasing a genuine commitment to meaningful and lasting environmental protection.

Business partnerships

  • There are lots of ways to get involved from bespoke partnerships to Company Forests. Making smaller donations, getting involved in sponsorship and fundraising or payroll giving. You can find out more about business partnerships and opportunities on our business partnerships page

  • Yes, we have lots of small and medium businesses getting involved by donating towards their own Company Forests, or by making smaller regular donations.

  • Absolutely. You can set up a fundraiser on Just Giving, or Facebook or you can pay in your donations via our business donation page.

  • Yes! Get in touch with our bespoke partnership team to explore how we can make your tree planting happen.

Why plant trees

  • Trees absorb carbon dioxide and keeps it locked away. Trees filter harmful substances from water, keeping streams and rivers clear. Trees improve soil health and prevent soil erosion. Trees reduce the risk of flooding, a growing threat in an erratic climate. Trees provide a habitat for wildlife and support biodiversity. Trees offer shade and help reduce energy consumption. Trees sustain every living thing and help mitigate the devastating effects of climate crisis.  

  • For businesses, tree planting offers a meaningful opportunity to protect and restore the environment while also supporting local community development. By partnering with International Tree Foundation, your business can plant trees that provide food and income for today and protect nature for tomorrow.

Tree planting

  • We know that successful and sustainable restoration depends on community involvement. Being a community-led organisation means that local people, who depend on their local forests, are the people who decide which trees to plant, where and why. Which is why all our projects are designed and run by local groups. 

  • The relationship between people and planet is vital to create a lasting difference. Our work has always been about more than just planting individual trees. It is about empowering communities to protect and benefit from their landscapes. It’s about stopping threatened species from going extinct and reversing biodiversity loss. It’s about gender justice and giving people the tools to transform their lives.

  • Trees grow at different rates depending on their location and species. An avocado tree in Kenya can produce fruit in as little as 3 years. While an oak tree in England can take 40 years to produce its first acorn. At ITF, we plant native and naturalised species in places where they make the fastest, most lasting impact for the people who plant them and for the planet.

  • As little as £2 can plant a native tree in your Company Forest and ensure it thrives for generations to come.

  • At ITF, we plant native and naturalised species, with a focus on endangered or threatened tree species. Our holistic approach means that the trees we plant are chosen for their benefit to people and planet, whether the aromatic fruit of the mango tree or the nitrogen fixing properties of a silky oak.

  • At ITF we ensure an 85% or higher survival rate. We have strict monitoring and evaluation protocols to ensures our high survival rates and ensure we can take proactive action in cases of drought or extreme weather.

Carbon

  • Trees help capture carbon and keep it locked away. But they are so much more than that. They cool the air and clean it too. They provide food, shelter and shade. They help keep soil healthy and stable. The protect against flood and landslide and help mitigate against the catastrophic effects of the climate crisis. And they provide a deep sense of wellbeing and awe.  

  • The focus on using a market mechanism means that corners will often be cut to reach a lower price. That could mean that land rights aren’t respected, appropriate tree species aren’t considered or that wider benefits are stripped back to a bare minimum. It’s a complex system and often more than 50% of the price of the credit goes to middlemen rather than to where the money matters most.

    At ITF, we understand that our relationship with trees and nature is not a transactional one and that turning nature into a tradeable commodity doesn’t bode well.

  • Buying carbon credits can encourage a race to the bottom in ways that are deeply unhelpful. Within tree-growing, it’s far cheaper to plant a fast-growing non-native species in a plantation lacking in biodiversity than to work with communities to recover ancient rainforest. Incentives to go for the cheapest option neglect a range of benefits that trees bring.

  • At ITF, we believe that we need to decarbonise, particularly for those that are the largest emitters. But we advocate the use of strategic climate funds. An individual, family or company should make an appropriate investment in holistic climate solutions rather than buying the cheapest possible credit. Those who support ITF’s work are doing just that.

Company Forests

  • A Company Forest is your company's way of planting trees and showing your commitment to holistic, sustainable change for people and planet.

    For every £2 you donate, you plant one tree, ensure that it thrives and support the local community who planted it.

    The more you donate, the more trees you plant, the larger your Company Forest grows.

  • A Company Forest starts at 500 trees. But you can donate any amount to support tree planting and forest restoration via our business donation page.

  • There is no maximum. But large-scale tree planting projects take time to plan and implement and ensure each and every tree thrives. If you have a large scale ambitions, then a bespoke partnership might be a better fit. Get in touch wit our bespoke partnership team to find out more.

  • The trees in your Company Forest will be planted where the need is greatest, so that they can make the fastest most lasting impact for people and planet. If you want to plant trees in a specific location, then find out about bespoke partnerships.

  • Sharing about the impact of your donation for both people and planet is very important. We’ll share stories, photos and report about the great work you’re helping to achieve. But we cannot take photos of specific trees planted in your Company Forest. If this is something you require, then speak to our bespoke partnership team.

Bespoke partnerships

  • Bespoke partnerships with International Tree Foundation are designed for companies committed to creating a holistic impact on nature, biodiversity, and reforestation. These partnerships are ideal for businesses with big ambitions to make a meaningful difference.

  • We offer a range of opportunities to create impactful and strategically aligned partnerships tailored to your business’s mission and goals.

    This includes the ability to choose the location of tree-planting projects, to achieve specific environmental or social impacts, as well as the chance to co-create innovative new restoration initiatives.

  • Yes, we do. Corporate tree planting days are a great way to foster environmental commitment with your whole staff. However these are only available as part of our bespoke partnership programme.

Make a donation

  • Yes! You can set up a regular gift or make a one off gift online using our business donation page.

  • Yes you can. Please contact us and our finance team will be in touch to arrange your donation.

  • Yes you can. Please contact us and our finance team will be in touch to arrange your donation.

  • Gifts in kind are donations of goods, services, and skills, donated free of charge or at a discounted rate. ITF does accept gifts in kind. But we may not be able to accept every offer. Please get in touch to discuss your ideas.

Start your impact today

We understand that to make real impact, you need to go beyond just putting a tree in the ground. When done properly, tree planting can transform threatened landscapes and support communities and livelihoods. The trees we plant provide food and income for today and protect nature for tomorrow.

Get in touch to discuss how we can realise your partnerships goals.

Take action with the world’s oldest tree planting charity