Cla Charitable Trust

The CLA Charitable Trust, established in 1980 by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), promotes education about the countryside—especially for urban youth and disadvantaged individuals—and provides access to rural environments' health benefits for people with disabilities. Rooted in bridging urban-rural divides, it emphasizes inclusivity, opportunity, and the transformative power of countryside engagement for physical/mental wellbeing, life skills, and knowledge in agriculture, horticulture, and conservation. Distinctive for its unwavering niche focus, it avoids general charity and prioritizes evidence-based projects with tangible outcomes.

It funds hands-on initiatives enabling children, young people, and adults with physical, sensory, learning disabilities, or from deprived backgrounds to experience sustainable farming, food production, rural management, and conservation. Supported activities include accessible facilities like paths, sensory gardens, polytunnels; scholarships for agriculture students; and programmes linking youth to nature, covering project costs, running costs, and capital works directly tied to countryside access and education.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and not-for-profits in England and Wales, prioritizing small/medium organizations with turnover under £1.5m and no significant reserves; must have a safeguarding policy and not have received a grant in the prior three years. Applications start with an online Expression of Interest (EOI), progressing to full proposals reviewed at quarterly trustee meetings (February, July, October)—submit 6-8 weeks prior for 2-4 month decisions. Typical grants range £2,500-£5,000.

Exclusions include emergency relief, unrelated capacity-building, or unrestricted funding. Uniquely positioned via CLA networks, it stands out for practical, rural-focused support at the disability-disadvantage-countryside nexus, favoring national distribution with proven need and impact.