Overall GiG Score: 28 based on 20 data points

Finance: 3

Governance: 9

Support: 16

Strong growth: +2, Multiple Deficits: -2, Fundraising costs low: +3,

Good trustee age range: +3, Dynamic board: +3, Gender balanced board: +3,

Large volunteers +3, Award winner, Supporters: +13

TREES FOR CITIES

Overview

Trees for Cities work at a national and international scale to improve the lives of those living in cities by planting thousands of trees in urban areas each year. With support from local authorities and volunteers they revitalise forgotten spaces, creating healthier environments and getting people excited about growing, foraging, and eating healthy food. There is no better example of this than in schools where they seek to educate children about the benefits of growing healthy food by establishing edible playgrounds.

Support given from these schools has enabled the charity to expand programmes and their corporate partners have provided funding to sustain momentum during the pandemic.

They plan to increase tree planting in urban areas to over 100,000 per year and make the most of enthusiasm of the next generation of conservationist by bringing edible playgrounds to more areas of the UK.

Source: Giving is Great

Mission:

Planting trees in urban areas to make them greener and healthier and educating children by providing edible playgrounds.

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

This charity has been successful in attracting volunteers relative to its size
This charity is a recent Award Winner
There has been strong growth in spending over the last 5 years
Fundraising costs are low relative to funds raised
A significant proportion of recent income was derived from major grant makers including the Government
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age and gender and dynamic in terms of composition

Financial issues to consider:

On several occasions in recent years income has been less than spending

Established: 30 years

www.treesforcities.org

info@treesforcities.org

02075871320

Charity Commission for England and Wales

How you can help

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?

Sources of Income ?

Y/E	Income £k	Spending £k	Surplus/ Deficit	Fundraising Cost £k	Total Funds £k	Unrestricted Funds £k	Mths Rsrvs	Staff	Volun- teers
31/03/22	£3,915	£4,042	£-127	£348	£1,413	£1,031	3.1	48	3,457
31/03/21	£2,790	£3,423	£-633	£330	£1,553	£849	3	50	2,479
31/03/20	£3,621	£3,312	£310	£289	£2,109	£2,024	7.3	47	7,280
31/03/19	£3,836	£2,875	£962	£288	£1,812	£647	2.7	41	10,721
31/03/18	£2,124	£1,756	£368	£205	£850	£529	3.6	28	4,713
31/03/17	£1,501	£1,447	£53	£132	£482	£473	3.9	23	0
31/03/16	£1,173	£1,225	£-53	£121	£429	£429	4.2	19	0
31/03/15	£1,141	£1,132	£9	£183	£481	£481	5.1	19	0
31/03/14	£1,335	£1,328	£7	£184	£473	£473	4.3	21	0
31/03/13	£1,404	£1,491	£-87	£245	£465	£465	3.7	26	0
31/03/12	£1,702	£1,698	£4	£260	£552	£552	3.9	26	0
31/03/11	£1,486	£1,477	£9	£251	£548	£548	4.5	27	0
31/03/10	£1,505	£1,519	£-15	£268	£539	£539	4.3	24	0
31/03/09	£1,736	£1,679	£56	£264	£559	£559	4	25	0
31/03/08	£1,607	£1,586	£21	£106	£503	£503	3.8	18	0
31/03/07	£1,336	£1,230	£106	£156	£482	£482	4.7	18	0
31/03/06	£966	£924	£42	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	0
31/03/05	£946	£892	£54	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	0
31/03/04	£996	£912	£84	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	0

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Financial Ratios

Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 9%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 8.7%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 4%
Highest pay band: £80,000-£90,000
Liabilities/Assets: 59%
Liabilities/Income: 53%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 86%
Reserves/Spending: 3.1 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 3 months
Quick Ratio: 0.9

Asset Split ?

Comment: Trees for Cities have seen a doubling in corporate partners funding during the pandemic that allowed them to sustain programmes. Major partnerships have included Bulb, Clear Channel, npower and Tideway that have spanned multiple years.

Income growth was also aided by schools' contributions that have increased in line with their expanding Edible Playgrounds programme.

Source: Giving is Great

What it does

Economic/Community Development/Employment
Education/Training
Environment/Conservation/Heritage
The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives

Trees for Cities is an independent charity working with local communities on tree planting projects. Our aim is to tackle global warming, create social cohesion and beautify our cities through tree planting, community, education and training initiatives in urban areas of greatest need.

Who works here?

48 employees
3,457 volunteers

Who it helps

The General Public/Mankind

How it operates

Provides advocacy/advice/information
Provides buildings/facilities/open space
Provides services

Where it operates

Kenya, Rwanda, Throughout England,

Who's supporting them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following significant donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Major supporters in last 5 years

Greater London Authority	£578,088
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	£418,222
DCMS	£373,950
The National Lottery Community Fund	£226,615
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation	£150,000
The Dulverton Trust	£115,000
Guy's and St Thomas' Charity	£89,935
John Ellerman Foundation	£75,000

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
John Ellerman Foundation
£75,000	28/09/2023	Core staff salaries within our charity, to include our Development, Marketing & Communications and Community Engagement teams.
Greater London Authority
£50,000	02/12/2022	This project will transform three primary school playgrounds in areas of high flood risk. The project will include new landscaping, planting trees and depaving grey areas to create raingardens and ....more This project will transform three primary school playgrounds in areas of high flood risk. The project will include new landscaping, planting trees and depaving grey areas to create raingardens and outdoor classrooms. It will also support 145 teachers through on the ground training.
Greater London Authority
£20,000	02/12/2022	This project will create a woodland in Uxbridge. The project will plant 8,600 whips and 45 standard trees at Philpot’s Farm and Stonefield Park and provide community planting days and volunteering ....more This project will create a woodland in Uxbridge. The project will plant 8,600 whips and 45 standard trees at Philpot’s Farm and Stonefield Park and provide community planting days and volunteering opportunities.
Greater London Authority
£320,000	28/09/2022	Trees for Streets offers Londoners the opportunity to select, sponsor and look after trees outside their homes. The Mayor will match fund 1,000 trees to plant in priority areas of boroughs where ....more Trees for Streets offers Londoners the opportunity to select, sponsor and look after trees outside their homes. The Mayor will match fund 1,000 trees to plant in priority areas of boroughs where trees have been sponsored. In addition the Mayor will support the first year fee for councils wishing to join the Trees for Streets programme to help encourage Londoners and businesses to sponsor and look after trees
The EQ Foundation
£10,000	15/02/2022	Big Give Champion Pledge
Greater London Authority
£40,000	11/12/2021	Connecting children to nature in Newham
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
£271,136	04/11/2021	The UTCF provides funding for anyone who wants to plant trees in urban or peri-urban areas.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
£250,000	16/07/2021	The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a short-term competitive fund to kick-start environmental renewal whilst creating and retaining a range of jobs. It is open to environmental charities and their ....more The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a short-term competitive fund to kick-start environmental renewal whilst creating and retaining a range of jobs. It is open to environmental charities and their partners to deliver projects in England.The aim of the fund is to support projects that are ready to deliver and focus on nature restoration, nature-based solutions and connecting people with nature, delivering against the goals of the Governments 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP), whilst helping to sustain and build capacity in the sector.
The Dulverton Trust
£10,000	09/06/2021	Planting Healthy Cities for Future Generations - Big Give Green Match Fund 2021
LUND TRUST
£73,320	02/04/2021	Towards trees for Cities international work planting trees with urban communities in East Africa.
City Bridge Trust
£2,600	22/02/2021	£2,600 (6.5 days) to provide an eco-audit
The EQ Foundation
£1,310	15/02/2021	Big Give Christmas Challenge 2020
DCMS
£123,950	11/11/2020	Green Recovery Challenge Fund 2020-21. The wider aim of the scheme is: The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a short-term competitive fund to kick-start environmental renewal whilst creating and ....more Green Recovery Challenge Fund 2020-21. The wider aim of the scheme is: The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a short-term competitive fund to kick-start environmental renewal whilst creating and retaining a range of jobs. It is open to environmental charities and their partners to deliver projects in England.The aim of the fund is to support projects that are ready to deliver and focus on nature restoration, nature-based solutions and connecting people with nature, delivering against the goals of the Governments 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP), whilst helping to sustain and build capacity in the sector.
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
£150,000	02/11/2020 24	Towards Project costs towards 6 tree-planting projects in 6 towns/cities across the four UK countries, within the Forgotton Places programme and as part of Esmee's 60th Birthday tree-planting ....more Towards Project costs towards 6 tree-planting projects in 6 towns/cities across the four UK countries, within the Forgotton Places programme and as part of Esmee's 60th Birthday tree-planting initiative
Guy's and St Thomas' Charity
£32,800	21/06/2020	Planting healthy air - grange primary extension
City Bridge Trust
£50,000	11/06/2020	£50,000 to Trees for Cities to engage consultants to review the business plan, financials, consult and engage with councils and local London communities and website development, enabling the charity ....more £50,000 to Trees for Cities to engage consultants to review the business plan, financials, consult and engage with councils and local London communities and website development, enabling the charity to apply for social investment.
City Bridge Trust
£18,294	11/06/2020	£18,294.00 towards three months of costs as outlined in your application
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
£35,706	01/04/2020	To increase and help sustain community forest and woodland outreach activities being delivered to school children, particularly those in disadvantaged areas, to benefit their mental health & ....more To increase and help sustain community forest and woodland outreach activities being delivered to school children, particularly those in disadvantaged areas, to benefit their mental health & wellbeing, engagement with school and other programme outcomes. Objective 1: To increase community forest and woodland outreach with schools in areas of disadvantage and/or special schools and/or APIs. Objective 2: To increase community forest and woodland outreach in ways that are designed specifically to help sustain the use of community forest and woodlands by schools/special schools/APIs beyond the end of the project. Objective 3: To gather evidence to complete project monitoring and reporting, and support evaluation.
Guy's and St Thomas' Charity
£57,135	07/01/2020	Pilot to test the efficacy of changing the physical place in a school
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
£111,381	17/12/2019	Urban Tree Challenge Fund Urban Tree Challenge Fund Urban Tree Challenge FundUrban Tree Challenge FundUrban Tree Challenge Fund
Greater London Authority
£10,000	02/10/2019	Jolly's Green Community Tree Planting
Greater London Authority
£40,500	02/10/2019	Beckton District Park South Woodland Creation
Greater London Authority
£50,000	02/10/2019	Goodmayes Park Woodland Creation
Greater London Authority
£17,500	02/10/2019	Barley Lane Community Tree Planting
Greater London Authority
£18,088	23/09/2019	Community support programme
Greater London Authority
£2,000	13/03/2019	Contribution to the Lost Words project
Greater London Authority
£10,000	01/03/2019	Buzzin' A nature-based volunteering programme that will work with 2 cohorts of young people for 6 months each. Young people will be trained in bee keeping skills and will volunteer at the community ....more Buzzin' A nature-based volunteering programme that will work with 2 cohorts of young people for 6 months each. Young people will be trained in bee keeping skills and will volunteer at the community garden. Participants will develop entrepreneurial skills, making beauty and wellbeing products to sell at local markets e.g scented candles and lip balms.
The Dulverton Trust
£105,000	13/02/2019	Sustainable Green Futures
The National Lottery Community Fund
£226,615	01/02/2019 36	Big Green Estate Project
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
£4,300	02/10/2018	Restoring local tree heritage in Seven Kings Park for the community of Redbridge
Greater London Authority
£40,500	16/08/2018	Forest Road Woodland
Greater London Authority
£43,904	16/08/2018	Big Green Estate Project
Greater London Authority
£22,295	16/08/2018	Seven Kings Park
Greater London Authority
£17,000	16/08/2018	Montagu Whip Planting Project
Greater London Authority
£13,125	16/08/2018	Beckenham Place Park Community Edible Woodland
Greater London Authority
£13,125	16/08/2018	Beckenham Place Park Community Edible Woodland
Greater London Authority
£17,000	16/08/2018	Montagu Whip Planting Project
Greater London Authority
£22,295	16/08/2018	Seven Kings Park
Greater London Authority
£43,904	16/08/2018	Big Green Estate Project
Greater London Authority
£40,500	16/08/2018	Forest Road Woodland
Greater London Authority
£13,125	16/08/2018	Beckenham Place Park Community Edible Woodland
Greater London Authority
£17,000	16/08/2018	Montagu Whip Planting Project
Greater London Authority
£22,295	16/08/2018	Seven Kings Park
Greater London Authority
£43,904	16/08/2018	Big Green Estate Project
Greater London Authority
£40,500	16/08/2018	Forest Road Woodland
Greater London Authority
£13,125	16/08/2018	Beckenham Place Park Community Edible Woodland
Greater London Authority
£17,000	16/08/2018	Montagu Whip Planting Project
Greater London Authority
£22,295	16/08/2018	Seven Kings Park
Greater London Authority
£43,904	16/08/2018	Big Green Estate Project
Greater London Authority
£40,500	16/08/2018	Forest Road Woodland
Greater London Authority
£13,125	16/08/2018	Beckenham Place Park Community Edible Woodland
Greater London Authority
£17,000	16/08/2018	Montagu Whip Planting Project
Greater London Authority
£22,295	16/08/2018	Seven Kings Park
Greater London Authority
£43,904	16/08/2018	Big Green Estate Project
Greater London Authority
£40,500	16/08/2018	Forest Road Woodland
Greater London Authority
£13,125	31/07/2018	Beckenham Place Park Community Edible Woodland
Greater London Authority
£22,295	31/07/2018	Seven Kings Park
Greater London Authority
£40,500	31/07/2018	Forest Road Woodland
Greater London Authority
£43,904	31/07/2018	Big Green Estate Project
Greater London Authority
£17,000	31/07/2018	Montagu Whip Planting Project
Greater London Authority
£43,904	31/07/2018	Big Green Estate Project
Greater London Authority
£13,125	31/07/2018	Beckenham Place Park Community Edible Woodland
Greater London Authority
£22,295	31/07/2018	Seven Kings Park
Greater London Authority
£40,500	31/07/2018	Forest Road Woodland
Greater London Authority
£17,000	31/07/2018	Montagu Whip Planting Project
Greater London Authority
£17,000	31/07/2018	Montagu Whip Planting Project
Greater London Authority
£43,904	31/07/2018	Big Green Estate Project
Greater London Authority
£40,500	31/07/2018	Forest Road Woodland
Greater London Authority
£22,295	31/07/2018	Seven Kings Park
Greater London Authority
£13,125	31/07/2018	Beckenham Place Park Community Edible Woodland
Greater London Authority
£50,000	31/01/2018	Planting Healthy Air in Schools
Greater London Authority
£15,000	18/01/2018	St Patrick's Edible Playground
Greater London Authority
£15,000	18/01/2018	St Patrick's Edible Playground
Greater London Authority
£15,000	18/01/2018	St Patrick's Edible Playground
Greater London Authority
£15,000	18/01/2018	St Patrick's Edible Playground
Greater London Authority
£15,000	18/01/2018	St Patrick's Edible Playground
Greater London Authority
£15,000	31/12/2017	St Patrick's Edible Playground
Greater London Authority
£15,000	31/12/2017	St Patrick's Edible Playground
Greater London Authority
£15,000	31/12/2017	St Patrick's Edible Playground
Greater London Authority
£10,190	01/10/2017	Sutcliffe Park: Planting a Leafy Legacy
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Isleworth Orchards
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Loxford Park: Community Tree Planting
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Racecourse Estate Greening Project
Greater London Authority
£25,000	01/10/2017	Horsenden Hill Working Woodland
Greater London Authority
£10,190	01/10/2017	Sutcliffe Park: Planting a Leafy Legacy
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Isleworth Orchards
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Loxford Park: Community Tree Planting
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Racecourse Estate Greening Project
Greater London Authority
£25,000	01/10/2017	Horsenden Hill Working Woodland
Greater London Authority
£10,190	01/10/2017	Sutcliffe Park: Planting a Leafy Legacy
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Isleworth Orchards
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Loxford Park: Community Tree Planting
Greater London Authority
£15,000	01/10/2017	Racecourse Estate Greening Project
Greater London Authority
£25,000	01/10/2017	Horsenden Hill Working Woodland
Greater London Authority
£15,000	30/09/2017	Isleworth Orchards
Greater London Authority
£15,000	30/09/2017	Racecourse Estate Greening Project
Greater London Authority
£10,190	30/09/2017	Sutcliffe Park: Planting a Leafy Legacy
Greater London Authority
£25,000	30/09/2017	Horsenden Hill Working Woodland
Greater London Authority
£15,000	30/09/2017	Loxford Park: Community Tree Planting
Greater London Authority
£10,190	30/09/2017	Sutcliffe Park: Planting a Leafy Legacy

Show more rows

Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How do they operate?

Urban Tree Planting

Objectives: To create high quality green spaces in the more socially and environmentally deprived parts of cities and towns

Intervention period: Ongoing

Beneficiaries: General public

Description: Trees for Cities work with local organisations and community groups to focus their tree planting projects on delivering long-term, practical solutions to green polluted city environments and provide local people with the skills and ability to secure sustainable livelihoods. Their tree-planting efforts have not only positively affected communities in London but have far reach to 13 other countries including Ica in Peru, Nairobi in Kenya and Pokhara in Nepal.

Edible Playgrounds

Objectives: To give all children the opportunity to plant and learn about trees

Intervention period: Ongoing

Beneficiaries: School Children

Description: Edible Playgrounds offer a lively, engaging, multi-sensory way to teach children about growing and eating healthy food. Aside from the physical health benefits that eating well brings, learning in an outdoor environment combats Nature Deficit Disorder and has been shown to increase mental health by boosting mood, confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore, allowing the children to connect with nature develops attentiveness and self-reliance in the pupils, leading to more sustainable behaviours in the long term.

Comment: Trees will be maintained by the charity for up to 2-3 years after planting before handing them over to the landowners (normally the local council) to nurture.

Source: Giving is Great

How effective are they?

	Outputs	Outcomes
Y/E	Trees planted
31/03/2021	167,174
31/03/2020	99,302
Y/E	Edible playgrounds built	School children engaged
31/03/2021	26	28,343
31/03/2020	41	16,456

See what you could achieve with a donation of: £

How do we calculate this?

Who works here?

DAVID ELLIOTT
CEO
Appointed: January 2016

David has worked in the non-profit sector for a number of international organisations, prior to which he was a management consultant for Accenture. He is a Commissioner for the London Sustainable Development Commission, a Trustee for the African Conservation Foundation and a previous Trustee for the International Tree Foundation. He holds BSc degrees in Biological Sciences from Edinburgh University and Politics and International Relations from ....more

KATE SHELDON
Development Director/ Deputy Chief Executive
Appointed: August 2004

Kate is responsible for developing the organisation’s work programmes. Her team works closely with landowners and partners, and raises funds from trusts, foundations and the lottery. She is a Trustee for Bankside Open Space Trust (BOST) and holds an MPhil in Restoration of Landfill Sites, an MSc (distinction) in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture from Reading University, and a BSc in Biology with Italian from Manchester University.

RORY FIELD
Corporate Partnerships Director
Appointed: July 2015

Rory and his team lead on identifying, building and managing mutually beneficial partnerships with corporate partners and he has worked in senior roles within the charity sector for 18 years. He has served on regional, national and international disability sport governance bodies for 20 years and has B COM degrees in Business Management and Sport Management.

SUZANNE SIMMONS
Projects Director
Appointed: August 2018

Suzanne is responsible for ensuring Trees for Cities’ projects are delivered to the highest standards, on time and to funders’ and end users’ expectations. Her team covers the full range of Trees for Cities’ services that include community/volunteer consultation and engagement, landscape design and build, and the design and delivery of our urban forest initiatives. She joined the team from the Construction Industry Research and ....more

How is it governed?

Trustees (8)

Current Trustees appointed

Gender Split

Age Range of Trustees: 39-69

ALEXANDER WILLIAM MACGILLIVRAY Appointed: 2021Occupation: Director

BELLA BARDSWELL Appointed: 2022Occupation: It Consultant / Founder

BRYAN MILLER Appointed: 2017Occupation: Marketing Strategist

DAVID MARK WOODBINE Appointed: 2020Occupation: Chartered Accountant

JANINE CAPON (Chair) Appointed: 2015Occupation: Executive Coach

Janine is an experienced Board Advisor and CEO, and a specialist in business strategy, marketing and international brand building. She was previously Global CEO of WPP’s marketing consultancy Added Value, and now works as a NED, advisor and mentor with a variety of enterprising individuals and businesses. She has worked with Trees for Cities for....more

JULIA ANN THRIFT Appointed: 2021Occupation: Director

PROFESSOR SELENA GRAY Appointed: 2017Occupation: Academic/Doctor, Other trusteeship: AVON GARDENS TRUST,

STEVEN WILLIAM WORKMAN Appointed: 2017Occupation: Consultant/Phd Student

Legal constitution

Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 27/01/1994, number: 1032154
Registered at Companies House on 24/11/1993, number: 02874642
Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid

Policies in force

Complaints handling
Conflicting interests
Investment
Paying staff
Risk management
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Volunteer management

Main office

TREES FOR CITIES
PRINCE CONSORT LODGE
KENNINGTON PARK PLACE
LONDON
SE11 4AS

Objectives

To advance the education of the public in the appreciation of trees and nature, particularly with regard to their social and environmental value by the planting, protection and promotion of trees and green spaces everywhere and in particular in towns and cities

Defined Area of Benefit: NOT DEFINED

Data Sources

TREES FOR CITIES

Overview

Mission:

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

Financial issues to consider:

UN SDGs

How you can help

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?

Sources of Income ?

Financial Ratios

Asset Split ?

What it does

Who works here?

Who it helps

How it operates

Where it operates

Who's supporting them? ?

Awards received

Donations from Grant Makers ?

Major supporters in last 5 years

Specific Donations

How do they operate?

Urban Tree Planting

Edible Playgrounds

How effective are they?

Outputs

Outcomes

How do we calculate this?

Who works here?

How is it governed?

Trustees (8)

Current Trustees appointed

Gender Split

Age Range of Trustees: 39-69

Legal constitution

Policies in force

Main office

Objectives

Data Sources

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