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 countrysideWe 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 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.
In 2020 we granted funding to the following:

BF Adventures | 2020 | £2500
Adventure days
Bolsover Woodlands Enterprise Ltd | 2020 | £3000
Equipment and tools
Down Syndrome Training and Support | 2020 | £1200
Transport costs
Foresight Gardening Enterprise | 2020 | £3000
Horticulture sessions
Thanet Countryside Trust | 2020 | £2000
Improvement to trails
The Holly Lodge Centre | 2020 | £2000
Bespoke session costs
The Therapy Garden | 2020 | £4000
Visits and horticulture sessions
Perry RDA | 2020 | £1500
Resource for education programme
Barrow Farm RDA | 2020 | £3000
Woodland Path extension
Animal Antiks | 2020 £4000
Residential support sessions
Camp JoJo | 2020 | £4000
Farm residential
Grpw Cymynedol #CaruAmlwch | 2020 | £1000
Wildlife reserve
Lauriston Farm | 2020 | £2865
Farm work based placement opportunities
Stonebridge City Farm | 2020 | £2500
Volunteer opportunities
Open Country | 2020 | £4202
Wildflower growing equipment
Shallowford Farm | 2020 | £2500
Outdoor education barn
Resume Foundation | 2020 | £2500
Tractor driving course
East Clayton Farm/Lorica Trust | 2020 | £2700
Mobile goat shelter
Harwes Farm CIC | 2020 | £2700
Forest School
Hopefields Education Alternative Provision | 2020 | £2750
Movable mud control matting
JPC Community Farm | 2020 | £4920
Petting Farm equipment
Noah’s Place | 2020 | £1600
Under cover potting shed
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Charitable Trust | 2020 | £2500
Outdoor play activity programme
Pennyhooks Farm Trust | 2020 | £2500
Self-contained craft space
Positive Riding for the Disabled Association | 2020 | £1500
Adapted horse box
Riding for Smiles | 2020 | £1500
SEN Sessions
The Veterans Farm-Able Foundation | 2020 | £1000
Growing Together project
Farms for City Children | 2020 | £5500
Multi-year funding
The Country Trust | 2020 £5500
Multi-year funding
Jamie’s Farm | 2020 | £5500
Multi-year 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 £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.
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 text - simply text 'CLAC15' and the amount you wish to donate, e.g., 'CLAC15 £10' to 70070 (standard operator text rates apply)
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.