CLA Charitable Trust
The CLA Charitable Trust is dedicated to helping those who are disabled or disadvantaged to visit and participate in learning experiences about the countrysideThe latest from the CLA Charitable Trust
News-
CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT) awards £3,000 to the Chatsworth House Trust
The Chatsworth House Trust applied for the grant to enable them to upgrade their Stickyard Learning Centre -
CLA Charitable Trust grant benefits Cumbria-based charity
The CLA Charitable Trust donated £2,500 to the Rusland Horizon Trust, enabling their Full Cycle project in partnership with Mind in Furness, that facilitates monthly one-day outdoor activity sessions for Mind in Furness clients suffering from mental distress -
Countryside Learning
The CLA Charitable Trust supports a charity that aims to educate and inspire young people -
CLA Christmas Cards 2023
Shop our range of CLA Christmas Cards now - out now -
Sussex-based charity secures CLA Charitable Trust funding to help run horticulture activities for young people
Down Syndrome Development Trust (DSDT) among the groups to successfully apply for funding -
CLACT scholarships help shape future farming talent....
We interview the first CLA Charitable Trust scholars at Aberystwyth University and learn that they're already focused on building on the scholarship in a career in innovation in agriculture.
We fund
We support charitable organisations that access the benefits of the countryside to pursue the health and wellbeing of people and to provide opportunities for education about the countryside in England and Wales.
Priority areas
Children and young people, disadvantaged financially, physically, mentally, or from areas of deprivation.
Funding guidelines
Who can apply
Small and medium sized charities and not for profit organisations such as CIC’s with clear social purpose based in England and Wales, who have not been in receipt of a grant from CLACT in the previous three years and have a current safeguarding policy.
What we fund
Applications for running costs, project works and capital works. Evidence of need should be demonstrated.
We make one-off grants and applicants can reapply after three-years. Occasionally, multi-year funding may be awarded at the discretion of the trustees.
What we don’t fund
Grants for individuals, retrospective funding, non-educational holidays.

Application process
To apply for a grant, you will need to send the following to the trust administrator either via email or post:
- A completed application form
- The most recent copy of your audited accounts
- A detailed budget for the project which you would like funding for
There are three grant-making meetings in 2023. Please apply by 6th February for your application to be considered at the March meeting; 26th April for the June meeting; and 31st August for the October meeting.
They will then be assessed against the Trust’s aims before a decision is made to submit them to the trustee meeting. All applicants will be contacted after each meeting to advise the outcome of their application. Successful recipients will be required to complete an end of grant form within an agreed timeframe; usually six months after receiving the funds.
We have granted funding to the following:
2020 funding
2021 funding
2022 funding
About us

The CLA Charitable Trust is an independent grant-making trust. It is funded almost entirely by CLA members' donations.
It was founded in 1980 by members of the CLA. Since then the trustees have continued the aims of the trust: to expand knowledge of, and access to, the countryside, particularly for disadvantaged people, through grants totalling more than £2m.
Today, the Trust provides educational bursaries within the rural sector and continues to support a wide variety of charities, community projects and not-for-profit organisations in England and Wales.
In 2022, the Trust offered 61 grants and provided funding worth more than £236k including multiannual grants to specific charities whose work is particularly aligned with the Trust’s vision.
Our grant recipients are at the core of our mission and our effectiveness in meeting our aims depends on their work.
Our objectives
- Advancing people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing through financial support of charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises, which are delivering access, recreational and educational opportunities within and about the countryside.
- To promote and encourage education in sustainable farming, food production and rural land management.
Our Trustees
How to donate

By regular giving - download our donation form below
By cheque - to the address above
Via CAF Donate online - access the website here
Legacy planning - you can also remember the Trust in your will by way of a legacy; please contact us to discuss this further.
Hold an event in aid of the Trust - if you are considering holding an event, whether it's a sporting event, a BBQ, or anything else that you would like to do, we can provide you with promotional information about the Trust and advice about organisation of the event and collecting donations leading up to and on the day. Please contact us for further details.