Growing a tree-filled future in Catherine’s honor

When the Canopy team learned in fall 2022 that Catherine would retire, we asked how we could give her the best possible send-off. Her immediate response: “Invest in the continued success of Canopy and the trees!”

We’re taking Catherine at her word, and launching the Catherine Martineau Legacy Fund to springboard Canopy into its next chapter and deepen our work to grow a tree-filled future for all.

Our goal is to raise $300,000 by June 30, 2023. Two of Canopy’s incredible former Board Chairs have committed leadership gifts totaling $100,000, jumpstarting momentum towards this goal.

Today, will you join us to carry Catherine’s legacy and Canopy’s work into the future? Together, we’ll continue to work towards a day when everyone can walk, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees.

How your gift makes a difference

Throughout her tenure, Catherine shone a light on the “green gap,” the stark difference in the amount of trees and greenery from one neighborhood to the next. Today, more and more research confirms what Catherine immediately recognized: that the trees in our cities and neighborhoods play a key role in community health, wellbeing, and resilience.

Your contribution will fund Canopy’s continued work to:

  • Plant and steward trees where they are needed the most, mitigating extreme heat and improving air and water quality in neighborhoods where greenery is scarce
  • Nurture young people of color as environmental leaders, including through paid urban forestry internships and early career positions as Canopy staff members
  • Expand tree-based lessons for K-12 students to engage students of diverse learning styles, ages, and backgrounds
  • Equip residents as urban forest stewards through engaging community events like family-friendly tree plantings and neighborhood tree walks, and useful resources like tree care and watering guides
  • Advocate to local governments for policies, practices, and programs that leverage tree and other nature-based solutions to foster climate resilience and environmental equity.

How you can participate

There are many ways to make your special gift to Catherine Martineau Legacy Fund:

  • Online: Donate via credit card, Google Pay, or bank transfer on Canopy’s online giving page.
  • Check: Mail a check payable to Canopy to our office at 3921 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Please include “Catherine Martineau Legacy Fund” in the memo.
  • Donor Advised Fund: Direct a gift to Canopy from an existing Donor Advised Fund or Family Foundation. Canopy’s Tax ID: 01-0565752.
  • Stocks and IRA charitable rollovers: Make a tax-deductible stock gift or donate directly from an IRA without treating the distribution as taxable income. Find stock transfer & IRA instructions here.

Questions?

Beth May, Canopy’s Senior Director of Philanthropy, would love to speak with you. Please contact her at [email protected] or 650-204-1662. Thank you!

Thank you to our Board Chair Emeritus leadership donors!

Susan Ellis & Mark Linton
Susan Rosenberg

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