The Caring Tree was initiated in 1993. It was founded by the Minnesota Shopping Center Association as a statewide outreach project that allowed the community to help others when there is a significant strain on many family budgets.

The Caring Tree has been a collaborative effort between social service agencies, the community and The Caring Tree. Our year-round campaign collects financial contributions and new back-to-school supplies for K-12 low-income students throughout the state of Minnesota.

The number of participating social service agencies and children served through The Caring Tree continues to grow each year. To date, over 183,000 students have enjoyed a better start to their school year, thanks to The Caring Tree. Continuing forward in 2010, The Caring Tree will focus on financial contributions in order to maximize efficiency for the agencies and to increase the amount of children served.

The Caring Tree program is administered by The Caring Tree, a tax exempt organization as described in Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Donors may deduct contributions to The Caring Tree as provided in Section 170 of the code.