Tree's Artistic Legacy
Oliver Tree Foundation Launches Art Grant Program, Extending His Creative Legacy
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Key Points
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The foundation’s long-range mandate envisions remaining active for at least 50 to 100 years, signaling a multi-generational commitment to supporting artists.
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Annual funding decisions are to be made by the foundation’s board, with potential to fund one large project or three to five smaller projects, depending on available funds (and more projects if funding increases).
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Donations are being accepted as part of the foundation’s fundraising efforts to sustain its long-term mission.
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A memorial event is planned for July 25 at the UCSC Quarry Amphitheater in Santa Cruz, California, highlighting the foundation’s role in shaping public response to Tree’s death.
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Oliver Tree died on June 14 in a helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a death that directly prompted the launch of this foundation.
Two weeks after Oliver Tree died in a mid-air helicopter collision over Rio de Janeiro, his family has launched a charitable foundation in his name. The organization, officially called Dr. Oliver Tree's Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses, will fund multidisciplinary art projects and is now accepting donations, according to Rolling Stone.
Tree, whose real name was Oliver Tree Nickell, was killed on June 14 when two helicopters collided over the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. All six people aboard both aircraft died. The foundation launched its website on June 27, fulfilling wishes Tree had laid out publicly just months before his death.
Tree Planned to Give His Fortune to Artists, Not Family
In April 2026, Tree appeared on The Zach Sang Show and made his intentions clear. "I don't believe that any of the wealth... is mine," he said. He had set up a "silver spoon" agreement: any future children would get college tuition, but "not a f—ing penny" of his main fortune. The rest would go to supporting artists, according to NME.
Tree died before he could see it happen. But his estate moved quickly. His body was returned to California on June 21. That same day, his team posted an official statement on Instagram confirming his death and promising the foundation would launch soon, TMZ reported.
Grants Will Fund Making Art, Not Buying Gear
The foundation will support projects across music, film, installation, and performance art. Its core philosophy pushes artists to get hands-on — to physically make things rather than study art in a classroom. Grants are strictly for production and creation, according to The News International.
There is one key rule: grant money can be used to rent equipment, but not to buy it. The foundation wants funds to go directly into making art, not accumulating assets. Each year, the board may fund one large project or three to five smaller ones, depending on how much money is available. If donations grow, more projects could get funded, TMZ reported.
Foundation Aims to Last 50 to 100 Years
The foundation is built to outlast any single generation. Its mandate calls for remaining active for 50 to 100 years, according to TMZ. That means the grant could still be funding artists well into the 22nd century. Specific grant amounts, submission dates, and eligibility rules have not yet been announced. Those details are expected after the July 25 memorial.
Donations are being accepted now through the foundation's new website. The board — made up of Tree's long-term collaborators and estate managers — will review and distribute funds each year based on what is available, The News International reported. The goal is to keep Tree's artistic influence alive long after his death.
Memorial Set for July 25 at UCSC Quarry Amphitheater
A public memorial and celebration of life is scheduled for July 25 at the UCSC Quarry Amphitheater in Santa Cruz, California. The venue holds up to 2,600 people and has hosted figures like Angela Davis and Ravi Shankar. A livestream is planned for Tree's millions of global followers who cannot attend in person, according to Us Weekly.
Santa Cruz has deep meaning for Tree, who studied at UC Santa Cruz and considered it home. The foundation is also based there. The memorial will serve as a key moment for the foundation, which has been managing public grief since Tree's death was confirmed on June 15, Yahoo reported.
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