About the 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 countryside. Funded almost entirely by subscriptions from CLA members, the Trust is able to provide grants to charities and community organisations in England and Wales that share its vision.

Since its foundation in 1980, the Trust has given more than £1.9m in grants to a wide variety of organisations and projects. In 2019 alone, 25 charities and projects received grants from the Charitable Trust, totalling over £68,000.

The aims of the Trust, and the criteria for funding applications, are:

1. To promote education about the countryside for young people from towns and cities and those who are disadvantaged.

2. To provide facilities for those who are disabled, who have learning difficulties or who are in some way disadvantaged to enjoy the benefits of the countryside

3. To support the advancement of education in agriculture, horticulture and conservation for disadvantaged people, particularly the young.

Become a Trustee 

The CLA Charitable Trust is planning for a new phase of growth and is recruiting for three new trustees to begin in November 2020, joining Bridget Biddell, Andrew Grant and Robin Clarke. CLACT welcomes all CLA members to apply who are interesting in joining the Trust and supporting disadvantaged and disabled children to access the countryside. The successful appointees will play a key role in helping to advise, govern and oversee strategic direction and award grants and bursaries for the charity.

For more information and how to apply, click here.

Harper Adams University

The Trust is proud to offer scholarships to two students each year who are studying Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University. Each bursary is £8,000 given across the second and fourth years of study.

We currently have 6 scholars studying at Harper Adams. Fran Houseman and Jamie Jay are in their final year of study, Alice Grimes and Charlotte Scott are currently completing their work placement away and our newest scholars, Sally-Ann Bevan and Hannah Stephens are in their second year of study.

We are excited to have all our scholars involved in the CLA this year where they will be meeting advisors, members and attending events.

 The 2019 Harper Adams Scholarship Presentation Ceremony. L-R, Charlotte Scott, Tahirih McLaren-Brown (Trust Administrator), Neil Mainwaring (former Trustee), Alice Grimes and Harry Storey (fourth year scholar). 

Making an application

If you would like 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. You can download this here
• The most recent copy of your audited accounts
• A detailed budget for the project which you would like funding for

To be eligible for funding, you must be either a registered charity or community interest company. Your organisation or project must fit within one or more of the three aims of the Trust and will be assessed against these by the Trustees.

The Trustees prioritise funding to smaller charities or projects where their contribution can make a significant difference.

Funding will not be given to organisations who:

• Are applying for staff costs, sensory gardens or community allotments;
• Are state funded schools or other institutions;
• Have substantial financial resources;
• Have received a grant from the Charitable Trust in the past three years.

Projects which are based on horticultural activities must be able to demonstrate that they provide training which leads to a recognised, accredited qualification for the participants.

Trustee Meetings

Trustees meet three times a year with 2020 meetings scheduled in March, July and November.

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.

Charities we have funded

In the past year, the CLA Charitable Trust is delighted to have funded the charities listed below. We welcome you to visit their websites and show your support for the excellent work they do.

Living Options Devon: https://www.livingoptions.org/
Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust: https://www.wildsheffield.com/
Longlands Farm: http://www.longlandsfarm.org.uk/
Whirlow Hall Farm Trust: https://www.whirlowhallfarm.org/
Strongbones Children Charity: https://www.strongbones.org.uk/
Jamie’s Farm Lewes: https://jamiesfarm.org.uk/our-farms/lewes/
Future Roots: https://www.futureroots.net/
Tuppenny Barn: https://www.tuppennybarn.co.uk/
United Response Boscawen Farm: https://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/roc-wellbeing

Trustees

The 2020 Trustees of the CLA Charitable Trust.

Contact

Trust Administrator - Tahirih Mclaren-Brown

CLA Charitable Trust
16 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8PQ

Telephone: 020 7235 0511 
Email:  charitabletrust@cla.org.uk

How you can help the Trust

You can make a donation to the Trust in one of the following ways:

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 the form here

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.