Donate as a private citizens: This is what to look out for

Donating a tree is a simple act with great impact. But how do you ensure that your contribution becomes a living forest and not just a nice story online? The good news is that there are clear signs of quality, and that as a private donor you can choose projects that document work, finances and results with just a few steps. Here you will get a guide to choosing credible tree projects, and an insight into how we at Growing Trees Network work with transparency, partnerships and follow-up.

Why Your Control Matters

Many trees die in the first years if the species are not suitable for the site or if there is a lack of care. Therefore, it is not enough to see a nice number of trees planted. You need to have insight into where they stand, who looks after them, and how to follow up.

CO2 is also an issue. Some projects sell CO2 credits, others do not. Both can be serious, but they need to be clear about what they deliver and how they document the effect. Without clarity, the risk of greenwashing is real.

At Growing Trees Network, we do NOT sell  CO2 credits. After the Danish Government announced that they support the establishment of up to 250,000 hectares of new forest, we believe that the basic principle behind the issuance of CO2 credits – namely the principle of additionality – is no longer present in Denmark. How can you as a private individual or company argue that the afforestation project you support would not have been established after all, with reference to the government’s announcement.

The most important criteria when choosing a project

Transparency and verification are your best tools. Quality is known by data, public information and recognized partners. Consider the following as a basic checklist before donating.

Certification or not: what does it mean for you?

If you’re donating to a project that issues CO2 credits, you should look for standards like Verra/VCS, Gold Standard, or Plan Vivo. They require independent verification, which increases the certainty that an estimated climate impact holds water.

Other projects, such as Danish Folkeskove, work without climate certificates. Here, the values are typically clean drinking water, biodiversity, outdoor life and nature close to people. Instead, credibility is ensured through public rules, open finances and ongoing documentation of planting and care. Both tracks can be real, as long as the expectations are clear.

Clear signs of transparency

A transparent project doesn’t just tell good stories. Data shows. Map of planting sites, names of species, confirmed number of trees planted and plans for maintenance. Many serious players provide access to GPS polygons or satellite updates, or at least to annual progress reports. Ideally, you can track survival and learning, not just the number of plantings.

This also requires that the finances are open. A simple division between project and administration gives peace of mind. And it should be easy to get in touch with a responsible project manager.

Warning signs you need to know

Projects with low transparency or excessive promises should set alarm bells ringing. Consider these typical pitfalls when evaluating an offer:

• Unconditional Warranties
• Vague descriptions and missing contact information
• Extreme urgency with CO2 delivery
• Unrealistic financial returns
• Quick wins: The promise of high returns or “get rich on trees” is a red flag.
• Lack of documentation: No photos, no maps, no reports, or anonymous senders.
• No operation: Nothing about care, replanting or responsibility after the first season.
• Excessive CO2 security: Firm guarantees for permanent storage without describing risk management.

Example of Danish practice: Folkeskove with local roots

Growing Trees Network is a non-profit founded in 2013 that collects funds for afforestation in Denmark and abroad. We work with the Danish Nature Agency, municipalities, waterworks, churches and private landowners on new Folkeskove in Denmark, and with Danish partners locally in Kenya, Uganda, Bolivia and Ecuador for projects abroad.

Folkeskov in Denmark is most often laid out on land made available by the Danish Nature Agency, municipalities, churches, waterworks or private landowners. The forests are granted a forest conservation obligation, which ensures long-term protection and public access. Internationally, we work together with local actors who document planting, care and development. The goal is to make the path from donation to living forest short, well-documented and robust.

We have facilitated the planting of more than 4.3 million trees globally and over 1,800 hectares in Denmark. 80 percent of the donations go directly to planting and operation, and 20 percent cover necessary costs. This distribution is routinely communicated on our pages and in materials to sponsors.

What you get as a private donor with us

When you donate via growingtrees.dk, you will immediately receive a receipt and a Folkeskov certificate by email. For larger donations, you can get a personal or gift certificate. In Denmark, donors are often invited to open forest inaugurations, where the forest is celebrated together with schoolchildren, citizens, the press and local partners.

You can choose to support a specific Forest or let us place your contribution where the need is greatest. For recurring support, you can set up monthly donations.

Secure payment is handled via an established payment gateway, where data is encrypted. This creates security in the handling of both amounts and personal data.

From click to planting: how to do it in practice

It doesn’t have to be complex to donate in a safe and transparent way. The process at growingtrees.dk is simple, and you can be on target in minutes.

• Go to “Donate” and choose one-time donation or monthly
• Select number of trees and location (Denmark or abroad)
• Fill in your name and e-mail
• Pay by card or MobilePay
• Receive receipt and certificate immediately

Afterwards, you can follow updates on international projects online. In Denmark, you can keep an eye out for inaugurations, local posts and news about the forest you have contributed to.

What does the money go to?

The price for a tree starts at DKK 16 incl. VAT. 80 percent goes to the projects, including planning, planting, fencing, care and necessary reforestation. 20 percent covers administration, secure payment, reporting, communication and project management needed to ensure quality and documentation.

This distribution has been chosen to keep as much effect as possible out in the forests and at the same time ensure that the operation maintains the operation that maintains credibility and follow-up.

Everyday criteria that make a difference

When evaluating a specific project, look for obvious but often overlooked details. Is there a responsible project manager with contact information? Are there named partners at the planting site? Is the planting linked to safe rules, e.g. forest conservation obligation in Denmark or other types of agreements abroad?

Also check if there are any news or press clippings about the project. Acknowledgments point to professional footing. Growing Trees Network has been honored as “Most Impactful Afforestation Initiative 2024 and 2025” by EU Business News and participated in the TV fundraiser Denmark plants trees, where more than DKK 20 million was collected for new forest. This type of publicity makes it easier for you to assess whether the actor is visible and responsible.

Questions you can ask to test credibility

A few precise questions may make the difference. Ask them before you donate and notice how clear the answer is.

• Location: Where will my trees be planted and can I see maps or coordinates?
• Species: Which tree species are planted, and why exactly those in that place?
• Maintenance: Who is responsible for care and replanting, and for how long?
• Documentation: How is planting and survival documented, e.g. with photos or reports?
• Finances: How much goes to the project and what does the administration cover?
• Partners: Which local actors or authorities are involved?
• CO2: If you sell CO2 credits, what standards does the project meet?

Follow-up: from planting hole to forest edge

Tree planting is the start. The crucial phase is the first years, when care, watering, fencing and replanting ensure survival. In Denmark, the Danish Forest Act helps to keep the forests permanently protected.. Local cooperation with municipalities, forest owners and volunteers creates ownership and life in the new forests.

Abroad, local anchoring is just as important. Here, we work through Danish partners locally present who continuously document the status. A good practice is to link payments to documented establishment and to share images and reports from the field. The more visible, the better you as a donor can follow your effect.

What if you want to support an international brand?

Several international players have solid reputations and strong processes. Names such as One Tree Planted, Eden Reforestation Projects, Trees for the Future, WeForest, Tree-Nation and Treedom have worked their way forward with openness and scale. Still, look for the same basic criteria: documentation of plantings, clear finances, involvement of local communities and clear follow-up.

You should use the same standard in Denmark. National initiatives have the advantage that you can visit the forest, see the results and meet the partners. This provides proximity and a strong local imprint.

How we create value beyond CO2

Forests in Denmark is not just about the climate. They protect groundwater, make nature more varied and provide more good nature experiences. Children can plant, citizens can follow the forest from the first sod and local associations can use the areas actively. When the forest becomes part of everyday life, it is stronger in the long term.

It requires planning, ongoing operations and good partners. Therefore, we prioritise clear project plans, open communication and local involvement. And that’s why we also tell when conditions such as climate and operations affect the results. That’s how trust is built.

Donate with peace of mind. Ask for data. And choose projects that can show that the trees live, grow and do good year after year.