Board Member

Tree Pittsburgh is accepting applications for board members to serve four-year terms beginning in January 2027. This is an opportunity to support the organization’s growth as we carry out our strategic plan, focusing on governance, volunteering, fundraising, and advocating for urban forest expansion across Allegheny County.

About the Role

Board members govern Tree Pittsburgh and amplify its mission by contributing professional skills, knowledge, and connections. We seek candidates with a passion for our mission—preferably those who have attended our events or volunteered—and who reflect the racial, cultural, age, gender, and geographic diversity of the communities we serve.

For this election cycle, we are particularly interested in candidates with professional experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising/Donor Cultivation
• Finance
• Health Care
• Legal
• Information Technology
• Real Estate

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic vision of the organization.
• Provide direct support to the Executive Director in executing the organization’s strategy.
• Exercise oversight and “due care” by:
  • Attending and participating in board meetings on a regular basis.
  • Joining and contributing to at least one board committee.
  • Reviewing and inquiring about materials affecting the organization.
  • Staying informed about the organization’s affairs and finances.
  • Using independent judgment in decision-making.
• Commit to a personal fundraising goal each year, achieved through personal donations, recruiting sponsors, cultivating new donors, or securing in-kind donations/services.

Time Commitment

• Attend a 90-minute board meeting on the fourth Tuesday of every other month (6 meetings total).
• Participate in an annual half-day board retreat.
• Assist with donor identification and cultivation activities (occurs periodically; no fixed time commitment).
• Serve on one board committee (averaging 2 hours every other month; 6 meetings total).
• Attend at least 2-3 Tree Pittsburgh events/programs annually, including the Arbor Aid Celebration.
• Participate in strategic planning, board self-evaluation, development workshops, and other educational events.
• Complete Tree Tender Certification.

Application Process

Applications are requested before September 6, 2026. The process includes:

• October 2026: Board Development committee contacts applicants for interviews.
• November 2026: Committee develops candidate recommendations for board approval.
• First week of December 2025: Board votes on candidates; all interviewees are notified.
• January 2027: Newly elected board members attend their first official meeting.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to treepittsburghgovernance@gmail.com with the subject line “[Last Name]_Board Member.”