CLA Charitable Trust

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.

What we don’t fund

Grants for individuals, retrospective funding, non-educational holidays.

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

Trustees meet regularly each year with 2021 meetings scheduled for 15 March, 16 June and 4 October.

All completed applications need to be sent to the trust administrator at least one month before the 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.

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 £1.9m.

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 2020, the Trust supported 30 charities and projects providing funding of more than £85,000, including multiannual grants to three 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.

• 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.
• The relief of poverty.
• Such other charitable purposes as the trustees may in their absolute discretion from time to time think fit.

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.