Skyler Barberio/Rolling Stone
Following the tragic passing of Oliver Tree in a helicopter accident on June 14, his representatives have announced that a philanthropic initiative—established by the artist himself—will soon launch to provide financial backing for emerging creators.
In a heartfelt tribute posted to his official Instagram account this past Sunday, the team confirmed that the musician has been returned to his native California. The announcement introduced “Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses,” an endowment intended to support aspiring artists, a vision Oliver carefully formalized prior to his untimely death.
“We are committed to seeing his final wish through, ensuring that his passion for spreading joy, love, and creativity continues to impact the world,” the statement read. His team also expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from fans, which has served as a vital source of strength for his family and collaborators during this devastating period.
The collision, which occurred in Rio de Janeiro, claimed the lives of five others alongside the singer. Tree had been in Brazil as part of his “The World’s First Tour,” having performed his final show in São Paulo on June 6. Among those lost were passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, and Lucas Brito Chaves, as well as pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
During an appearance on the Zach Sang Show just two months before the accident, Tree spoke candidly about his desire to redistribute his success. “I don’t view the wealth generated from my work as mine,” he explained during the April interview. “My will is structured so that my assets do not pass to my family—I’m ensuring there are no silver spoons.”
He emphasized that his goal was not to fund traditional education, but to provide direct financial assistance for the production of new art. “I’ll support my children through college, but every other resource will be funneled back into the artistic community to help others create,” he noted.
