Bowland Charitable Trust
Could Bowland Charitable Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £1,000 – £20,000
- Where they fund
- North West of England, Lancashire, UK
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Postal application
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Bowland Charitable Trust
The Bowland Charitable Trust, established in 1985 by philanthropist Tony Cann, is a grant-making charity focused on the promotion of educational and character-forming activities for young people. Its mission is to provide opportunities for personal development through outdoor and educational experiences that build resilience, teamwork, and confidence. Rooted in values of inclusion and real-world learning beyond the classroom, the trust takes a discretionary, trust-led approach, making grants proactively or responding to written applications. It prioritises funding for youth outdoor adventure trips, expeditions, and character-building programmes, particularly in North West England, notably Lancashire. The trust also supports educational initiatives, cultural projects, and religious institutions that promote community cohesion. Grants cover project, capital, and occasional revenue costs for registered charities, community groups, and individuals.
What Bowland Charitable Trust funds
The trust funds outdoor adventure trips, youth expeditions, and character-building programmes that develop resilience, teamwork, and confidence in young people. It also supports educational initiatives, including specialist equipment and innovative teaching resources, cultural projects, and religious institutions that foster community cohesion. Priority is given to projects in North West England, particularly Lancashire, though the trust is open to strong UK-wide alignments that match its mission. The trust backs grassroots to medium-sized organisations delivering measurable impact, covering project costs, capital expenses, and occasional revenue costs.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, and individuals. There are no income thresholds or religious restrictions. The trust prioritises projects benefiting young people and communities in North West England, especially Lancashire, but considers strong UK-wide applications that align with its mission. The trust supports grassroots to medium-sized organisations and accepts unsolicited applications from eligible parties.
What Bowland Charitable Trust doesn't fund
The trust does not fund non-educational activities or projects outside the UK. It is unlikely to support causes that do not align with its focus on youth outdoor education and character development, such as general community support without an educational or character-building element.
How they like to fund
The trust takes a discretionary, trust-led approach, making proactive grants or responding to written applications. It funds project, capital, and occasional revenue costs, and accepts unsolicited applications. There are no formal calls or published themes, and the trust operates without rigid processes.
How much does Bowland Charitable Trust give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Bowland Charitable Trust
Bowland Charitable Trust takes applications via postal application.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Bowland Charitable Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Bowland Charitable Trust on the charity register
Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as THE BOWLAND CHARITABLE TRUST, charity number 292027.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Bowland Charitable Trust provide?
Bowland Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £1,000 - £20,000.
Where does Bowland Charitable Trust fund charities?
Bowland Charitable Trust funds charities operating in North West of England, Lancashire, UK.
Does Bowland Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Bowland Charitable Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
How do I apply for funding from Bowland Charitable Trust?
Bowland Charitable Trust takes applications via postal application. Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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Could Bowland Charitable Trust be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.