Volunteer Trustee with fundraising experience | Word Forest
We are seeking a Fundraising Trustee who will actively help us secure new income streams to sustain and grow Word Forest. This is not an advisory-only role; we need someone who will roll up their sleeves and take action.
Overview
Word Forest is an international reforestation charity tackling climate change by planting trees, building schools, and empowering communities in Kenya. Since 2017, we have planted over 1 million trees and supported families to improve food security, education, and resilience. Our Board of Trustees provides strategic direction and oversight, while our operational team delivers programmes on the ground in Kenya. We are looking for a Fundraising Trustee to actively help secure new income streams to sustain and grow our work.
What difference will you make?
Your fundraising skills will directly shape the future of Word Forest. Every pound raised enables us to plant more trees, build more classrooms, and support more families in Kenya to achieve food security, education, and resilience. By committing just a few hours each month, you will strengthen our income base and help us reduce reliance on a very small core team. You can help turn ideas into action by writing or reviewing funding applications, identifying opportunities, and connecting us with potential donors or partners. The impact can be tangible: for example, £2.50 plants a tree in Kenya, and a classroom can be funded for around £16,000. Your efforts could lead to entire communities gaining access to shade, nutrition, education, and long-term climate resilience.
What are we looking for?
* Essential Skills and Experience
* Proven fundraising experience in at least one area: charitable trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, community or events fundraising, or individual giving/digital campaigns
* Ability to commit 2–4 hours per month to practical fundraising activity
* Strong communication and networking skills, with confidence engaging potential donors, partners, or sponsors
* Experience taking a fundraising idea from planning to delivery
* Willingness to actively support fundraising work, not just advise
* Desirable Skills and Experience
* Knowledge of charity governance and the legal duties of Trustees (training can be provided)
* Understanding of ESG priorities in business or CSR programs
* Familiarity with small charity fundraising and limited staff capacity challenges
* Financial literacy related to charity budgeting and reporting
* Personal Qualities
* Proactive, hands-on, and collaborative; willing to say “I will do this”
* Creative and resourceful in finding opportunities and solutions
* Passionate about Word Forest’s mission: climate action, education, and resilience in Kenyan communities
* Integrity and reliability with a commitment to transparent and ethical fundraising
We value lived experience and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. No prior Trustee experience is required; induction and ongoing support are provided.
What will you be doing?
Word Forest is a UK-based charity focused on climate action and community development in Kenya. The Trustee will contribute to board meetings and decision-making, commit 2–4 hours per month to practical fundraising activity, help design, implement, and deliver fundraising initiatives, identify and approach potential donors, grant makers, and corporate partners, support applications for funding and sponsorship, and promote Word Forest within personal networks and beyond.
What we offer
A chance to make a tangible impact on climate change and poverty, opportunities to expand your fundraising portfolio and board-level experience, a supportive board, remote involvement with flexible time commitment, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed. This is a voluntary position with online meetings.
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