Tree Planting Nonprofit Launches Investment Initiative To Back New Climate Solutions

LINCOLN, Nebraska (July 23, 2024) – The Arbor Day Foundation announced a new investment initiative to help advance startups in the environmental space aimed at developing climate solutions. The Arbor Day Impact Fund will back innovation that aligns with the Foundation’s mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.

“Tree planting has evolved in the modern era, becoming more rooted in science and data than ever before. And as we look to the future, we know that innovations in technology will likely continue to push the boundaries of what we can accomplish for the planet through trees,” said Arbor Day Foundation CEO Dan Lambe. “As the world’s largest membership tree planting nonprofit, it’s important for us to be on the leading edge of driving impactful progress in this space.”

The Arbor Day Impact Fund, guided by a team of a trusted advisors, will make strategic investments in leaders and startups whose solutions have the potential to accelerate the pace, scale and quality of work in alignment with the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission. That could include land use management, climate and earth data, forest carbon technologies, and other related sectors.

Managing director Pete Davis will lead the initiative. Davis has more than 20 years of experience in advancing financial and climate technology through nonprofit, startup and venture-backed organizations. Davis served as the chief executive officer for GreenPrint, an environmental technology company, and managed its sale and transition to PDI Technologies. Davis is also an advisor for Endeavor, a global organization designed to empower high-impact entrepreneurs.   

“One of our primary goals is to spur innovation and help our portfolio companies grow by connecting them to the Foundation’s global network of tree planters for integration,” Davis said. “This is an exciting opportunity for us to ignite positive change in forestry and ensure the impact ripples out across the world.”

Parties interested in receiving funding from the Arbor Day Impact Fund can learn more and submit opportunities to arborday.org/impact-fund/ or email [email protected].