Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK

Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK (ACCT UK), the charitable arm of the Army Cadet Force (ACF) rebranded from the Army Cadet Force Association in 2021, exists to advance the development of over 39,000 young cadets and 8,000 adult volunteers across 1,590 UK detachments. Its core mission is to empower every young person, regardless of background or ability, by removing financial barriers to ACF activities that build life skills, confidence, resilience, leadership, teamwork, and social inclusion through adventurous training, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, sports, music, expeditions, educational trips, and community service. Values of opportunity, wellbeing, and transformative experiences underpin its ethos, with distinctive initiatives like the Matthew Bacon Bursary Fund supporting disadvantaged 15+ cadets on 14-day Outward Bound courses, and professional development bursaries for adult leaders' training and qualifications.

ACCT UK funds exclusively ACF members—individual cadets, adult volunteers, and county units—prioritising personal growth, mental/physical wellbeing, skills development, and access to nationally recognised qualifications or memorable events like Olympics representation and national ceremonies. It supports project/participation grants for equipment, activities, hardship relief, and barrier removal, but not core funding for external organisations.

Eligible applicants must be UK-based ACF cadets, volunteers, or units with no income restrictions; applications are UK-wide via online forms or email to grants@acctuk.org, accepted on a rolling basis (at least 6 weeks before activity) or specific deadlines for funds like Matthew Bacon (e.g., 3 February 2025). Typical grants range £200–£1,500 for individuals, higher for groups.

Uniquely tailored to the ACF ecosystem in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, ACCT eschews generalist funding for deep, specialised support fostering long-term outcomes, distinguishing it as the central non-military enabler for the cadet movement.