Community Forest Trust

Community Forest Trust (CFT), established in 1998 as a registered charity and non-profit company, serves as the backbone organization for England's 15 Community Forests, championing large-scale community forestry and green infrastructure to deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits. Born from the need to regenerate urban and peri-urban areas hit by industrial decline, CFT's mission focuses on woodland creation, sustainable land use, habitat restoration, public access enhancement, environmental education, and climate resilience. Its values emphasize inclusion, partnership, practical delivery, and evidence-based impact, positioning it as a national leader in policy advocacy, best practice facilitation, and multi-million-pound afforestation programs like Trees for Climate.

CFT funds substantial projects prioritizing tree planting, green infrastructure development, agroforestry, community orchards, urban greening, and biodiversity enhancement, targeting landowners, farmers, community groups, local authorities, schools, and voluntary organizations—especially those serving disadvantaged urban populations, young people, and peri-urban communities in regions like the North West, North East, Yorkshire, and Cumbria. Support aids habitat corridors, public recreation spaces, skills development, and climate education, always requiring community or landowner partnerships for measurable public benefit.

Eligible entities include community groups and academic institutions with no strict income thresholds, but successful applicants are typically medium-to-large organizations capable of large-scale delivery within England (urban/peri-urban focus). CFT does not accept unsolicited applications; funding flows through invitation-only local Community Forest partnerships or announced program calls (e.g., autumn Trees for Climate windows). Typical grants range from £10,000 to £500,000 for capital works, excluding core costs or unrestricted funding. Distinctively, CFT leverages government/philanthropic match funding for legacy-scale outcomes, like planting millions of trees annually, differentiating it through its blend of hands-on delivery and strategic national influence.