At Trees for Cities, we believe access to trees and nature is essential for the health and well-being of communities. We focus our work where it’s needed most — in areas facing environmental, social, and economic disadvantage — putting us at the forefront of climate and community justice across the UK.
Trees for Cities is the only national charity dedicated to improve lives by planting, protecting and promoting urban trees. We do this by working closely with communities, landowners, partners and funders to deliver transformational change in towns and cities across the UK. We plant trees in schools, streets, estates, parks and open spaces to create nature-rich urban woodland, hedgerows, orchards, avenues and playgrounds.
As we approach the final year of our strategic plan, The Turn of Trees (2022–2025), we’ve seen inspiring growth and diversification in funding from major supporters like the National Lottery Community Fund and The People’s Postcode Lottery. Now, as we prepare to launch our 2025–2030 strategy, our goal is clear: build a national movement for tree equity that places communities, cities, and biodiversity at the heart of everything we do.
Your role:
We’re seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Grant Fundraising Manager to lead our grant fundraising efforts — managing and growing a portfolio of major funders, generating around £1.2m annually from central government, lotteries, trusts, and foundations. You will:
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Develop compelling, tailored grant applications
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Build strong, lasting relationships with funders
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Work collaboratively across teams to bring our projects and vision to life
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Innovate and diversify income streams to ensure a sustainable future
Why Trees for Cities?
This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to urban climate action through the power of trees. You’ll join a warm, vibrant, and inclusive organisation where your work has visible, tangible impact in communities across the UK. From community planting events to daily table tennis, you’ll quickly become part of a motivated and collaborative team driven by a shared mission.
Who we’re looking for:
An outstanding grant fundraiser with a proven track record of securing large, multi-year grants and navigating the competitive funding landscape. You thrive in collaborative environments and are skilled at communicating and influencing across teams to achieve shared goals. Most importantly, you are deeply committed to driving positive social and environmental change.
If you are ready to grow your career while helping shape a greener, fairer future, we want to hear from you. To learn more about the role and organisation, please download the full appointbrief below, where you will find details of who to speak to with questions about the role and details of how to apply.
Closing Date: 22 June 2025
People Beyond Profit conversations: 23-25 June 2025
Panel Interview Dates: 2 & 9 July 2025
Registered Charity 
Thank you!
EMpower is a global philanthropic foundation that partners with organisations across 15 emerging market countries who are focused on solutions that integrate the voices and experiences of marginalised young people, especially girls, aged between 10–24 years. We provide grants and capacity building support to local organisations working to strengthen education and livelihoods of young people across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Turkey.
EMpower’s fundraising proposition is proven and highly differentiated – we invest in local partner organisations for 10 years; a long-term approach that dramatically improved outcomes whilst also demonstrating short term progress. Significantly, we have the unique advantage that our fundraising, administration and management costs are covered by our Board of Directors, which means that every penny donated goes to where it is needed most.
This proposition and our recent investment into fundraising means that our income has nearly doubled in the last 5 years. We have attracted new large-scale corporate donors on top of maintaining our traditional areas of relationship-based fundraising success, including HNWI from the finance sector. Yet we know we are still only scratching the surface of what’s possible.
This new position is a response to the increasing focus on events as a key part of our fundraising and stewardship strategy. Our flagship Annual Dinner is our main fundraiser; last year we smashed our targets and raised over £2m. With this added post in our team we are confident that we can not only replicate but increase that growth. This role will take responsibility for all UK events, and resulting relationships with a small portfolio of major donors.
When thinking about the profile of individuals who would be well suited to this role and who will help bring our events and donor stewardship in the UK to the next level, it is likely you will have consolidated events experience, a talent for building relationships and a proven track record in securing some funds, ideally through relationship-driven fundraising activity.
This is a pivotal role within our fundraising team, with shared responsibility for generating the engagement and income that drives EMpower’s strategy and vision—a future in which young people living at the margins have the opportunities, skills, and confidence to transform their lives and communities
To read more about our work and the specifics of this role and team plus how to apply, please download the full appointment brief.
Closing date: 12 June 2025
Screening conversations: 13-17 June 2025
EMpower 1st Interviews: 25 June 2025
EMpower 2nd Interviews: W/c 30 June 2025
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