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-
Sussex charity which supports veterans receives grant from CLA Charitable Trust
Veterans’ Growth awarded thousands to help run horticultural therapy sessions -
Hampshire charity secures CLA Charitable Trust funding to help run nature therapy
Service which provides counselling for young people awarded £5,000 CLACT grant -
Surrey charity which provides respite care secures CLA Charitable Trust funding to help renovate its garden
Children to benefit after £4,000 awarded by CLACT to help with garden overhaul project -
CLA Charitable Trust
Essex charity gets funding boost from CLA Charitable Trust -
Suffolk care farm to benefit from funding boost
Funding boost for a Suffolk care farm -
Surrey nurture farm which helps children connect with nature secures CLA Charitable Trust funding
Farm which helps children connect with nature given nearly £4,000 to help with running costs
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.
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
Trustees meet regularly each year with 2022 meetings scheduled for 15 March, 16 June and 7 October. Applications need to be received four weeks before to be considered at the meeting.
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.
We have granted funding to the following:
2020 funding
2021 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 2021, the Trust supported 38 charities and projects providing funding of more than £140k 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.
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 2021 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.