C and J Clark Limited Employees 1922 Trust

The C and J Clark Limited Employees 1922 Trust, established in 1922 by the British footwear company C&J Clark Limited, is a grant-making charity dedicated to supporting the welfare of its current and former employees, along with their direct dependents, particularly pensioners facing hardship. Rooted in the company's family-business ethos, its mission emphasizes mutual aid, compassion, and practical assistance to alleviate financial distress from illness, disability, or crises, while promoting educational opportunities and independence. With a personal, needs-led approach, the trust proactively reaches out via Clarks' internal networks, pensioner clubs, and partnerships like the Footwear Industry Trust, focusing exclusively on this tightly defined "Clarks family" community rather than wider public causes.

It funds targeted relief including medical expenses, mobility aids (e.g., scooters, stairlifts), home adaptations (e.g., walk-in showers, adjustable beds), respite care, and educational bursaries for schooling or university, including occasional support for US-based dependents. Grants address specific crises like flooding or burglary but prioritize enabling mobility, health maintenance, and learning continuity.

Eligibility is strictly limited to current or former C&J Clark Ltd employees and their direct dependents worldwide, following the company's global footprint (predominantly UK); no organizations, charities, or general public qualify, with no income or size restrictions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis via email (trustgrants@clarks.com), post, or phone, requiring proof of employment/dependency and need details; decisions take 2-6 weeks.

Typical grants range from £500-£3,000, assessed case-by-case (e.g., £800-£3,000 for adaptations). Exclusions include accumulated debt, funerals, routine bills, core/project funding for organizations, or non-Clarks-linked needs, distinguishing it as a bespoke, employee-centric welfare fund with heritage ties like grants to the Shoemakers Museum.