CLA Charitable Trust

The CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT) is funded almost entirely by subscriptions and donations from members of the CLA.

It provides grants to charities and community organisations who share its vision to help connect young people with the countryside and nature.

Since its foundation in 1980, the trust has given £2m in grants to a wide variety of organisations and projects.

Find out more about the CLACT and applying for funding here.

Olive Academies

A grant of £3000 from the CLACT was awarded to the Olive Academies Foundation to support a wellbeing garden project in Thurrock, Essex. Olive Academies provide support to children and young people who have experienced difficulties with learning in mainstream schools.

This innovative project has enabled students to learn practical skills about growing fruit and vegetables, as part of studying horticulture on the timetable and also in their own time at the after-school gardening club.

The funding has supported the academy to set up a large polytunnel on site and to buy gardening tools, seeds and plants so students can make the most of the chance to learn about soil preparation and crop growing.

Green Light Trust

In June this year, the CLACT awarded £5,000 to the Green Light Trust in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

The Green Light Trust has a vision where everyone has equitable access to the power of nature. Its woodland environments, and commitment to nature-inspired initiatives, have been fundamental in enabling hundreds of adults and children to achieve health, hope and happiness.

Funding from the CLACT is going towards the core running costs of education and wellbeing programmes.

Belvoir Cricket and Countryside Trust

Also in June, the Belvoir Cricket and Countryside Trust based at Grantham in Lincolnshire, benefited from a CLACT grant. The Trust is inspiring children to lead healthy active lives through sport and countryside education.

More than £2,500 from the CLACT is being used on outdoor learning days and is supporting schools for children with additional needs.

Wilderness Foundation

The Wilderness Foundation based near Chelmsford in Essex received a grant of £5,000 from the CLACT towards its education programmes. The funding enabled the foundation to continue a programme that aims to reconnect and inspire young people to respect the natural world.