Air Cadet Charity Cio

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £791,219 (2024-25)
• Number of Grants: 68 grants awarded (2024-25)
• Cadets Supported: 34,181
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (RAF Air Cadets)

Contact Details

Website: www.aircadetcharity.org.uk

Email: info@aircadetcharity.org.uk

Phone: 01400 214021

Address: Royal Air Force Cranwell, Sleaford, NG34 8HB

For Grant Enquiries: Contact via the website contact form or email for pre-application support

Overview

The Air Cadet Charity CIO (registered charity 1160910) was established in March 2015 and transformed into an independent grant-making organization in December 2023, having previously operated as the Air Training Corps General Purposes Fund for over 60 years. With unrestricted reserves of £2,625,601 (equivalent to 46 months of spending), the charity supports charitable purposes for the benefit of cadets and personnel of the Air Training Corps. In 2024-25, the charity distributed £791,219 through 68 grants, supporting 34,181 cadets across England and Wales. The charity's mission is to ensure that young people have equal access to opportunities, activities, and support within the RAF Air Cadets, enabling them to develop their full potential. The charity places “cadets at the heart of what we do” and operates through a values-based approach centered on being committed, inclusive, responsive, transparent, and innovative.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity provides grants and funding for activities aligned to the RAF Air Cadets vision across eight priority categories. Applications are made through an online portal.

Application Schedule: Grant window open until 31 January 2026 (new online application portal launched October 2025)

Priority Areas

1. Aviation

• RAF Air Cadets Drones initiative
• Flight simulation and aviation activities

2. Adventure Training

• Expeditions and outdoor activities
• Water sports programmes
• Specialist instructor training
• Equipment for adventure activities
• Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme support (Gold, Silver, and Bronze expeditions)

3. Technology Exploitation

• Gaming devices and VR headsets (e.g., Xbox devices for Air, Space and Cyber Cadet Program)
• Laptops to address digital poverty and enable BTEC access
• Starlink connectivity for national events (e.g., Royal International Air Tattoo)

4. Immersive Training

• VR flight simulation
• Interactive learning environments using VR, AR, and MR technologies

5. Education Enhancement

• BTECs (including new Sustainability BTEC)
• Scottish Qualification Awards (SQAs)
• Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ)
• Crest Awards
• Music and art initiatives providing accessible cultural experiences

6. Employability

• Air Cadet Development Scheme: Bursaries supporting transition into full-time employment
• Eligibility: Cadets aged 16+ with minimum 2 years ATC or CCF(RAF) membership
• Eligibility: Junior adult volunteers under 25 with minimum 4 years membership
• Supports college, university, training, apprenticeships, and work placements

7. Health & Wellbeing

• RAF Air Cadets Sports Leaders Courses
• Support for cadets and adult volunteers participating in RAF Air Cadet sporting events

8. Welfare

• Personal accident insurance for cadets, adult volunteers, and civilian committee members
• Insurance for overseas trips

Who Can Apply

• RAF Air Cadets Regions
• Wings
• Squadrons
• Individual cadets (through Air Cadet Development Scheme)
• Junior adult volunteers (through Air Cadet Development Scheme)

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should consult the Grants Policy document available on the website.

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees

Mark Osman (Former RAF Wing Commander) - Led the transformation from the General Purposes Fund into an independent grant-making charity. Osman states the charity focuses on making a “positive difference...supporting all cadets...to help them grow in confidence, resilience and find purpose.”

Board of Trustees

• Sally Fernandes - Operations Director at Virgin Unite; transformation lead. "I'm passionate about helping young people achieve their full potential."
• Hemma Gooljar - Director of Communications and Marketing at national women's unemployment charity
• Victoria Gridley CHPP MCIPD - Chartered Project and HR professional with 15 years' government experience
• Martin Hoare FRAeS - 45-year aerospace and defence career; joining February 2026
• Oliver Jones-Davies - Client Investments Director at CCLA
• Kevin Limbert - Former Apache Helicopter Pilot; IT industry executive. “Big believer in providing opportunities...STEM topics...social mobility.”
• Abigail Lamb - MoD civilian specializing in military communications. Notes "exciting time to contribute...government's aspiration to grow cadet forces by 30% by 2030."
• Norman Murray CBE CA FRSE - Former RAF cadet; past president of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Committed to “help provide meaningful opportunities...flying and adventurous activities.”
• Hetna Patel - Finance professional; former Air Cadet and 13-year civilian instructor. Focused on “giving back to an organisation that equipped me with invaluable skills.”
• Darryn Rawlins - Former RAF Navigator and Pilot (29 years service); Managing Director at Thales. Recognizes the “profound impact...life-changing support for young people.”
• Julian Van Loxton - 35-year brand communications specialist; 30-year RAFAC service; Shackleton Trophy recipient. “RAF Air Cadets helped shape who I am...skills and resilience I developed daily.”

Charity Staff

• Jess Gilbert - Director (10+ years education sector experience)
• Ari Johnson - Grants Manager
• Fiona Hunter - Trusts and Major Donor Fundraiser
• Penny Egerton - Finance Manager (20+ years MoD experience)
• Tom Ringrose - Marketing and Engagement Officer (25-year RAF career)
• Tamsin Bradshaw - Administrator

Governance Note: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Online Portal: New online application portal launched 1 October 2025
• Application Method: All applications must be submitted through the online portal only
• Application Forms: Separate forms available for general grants and the Air Cadet Development Scheme
• Supporting Documents: Grants Policy and guidance documents available for download on the website

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the charity for specific timelines.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2024-25, 68 grants were awarded totaling £791,219.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed in available materials. Applicants should consult the Grants Policy or contact the charity directly.

Important Notice

The charity has warned that unauthorized use of its charity registration number (1160910) by squadrons bidding for grants not managed by the Air Cadet Charity is illegal and must cease immediately.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

The charity emphasizes equal access to opportunities and removing financial barriers to participation. Projects that demonstrate how they will make RAF Air Cadets activities accessible to all cadets, particularly those who might otherwise be excluded due to cost, align strongly with the charity's mission.

Recent Funded Projects

Digital Poverty Initiatives: Funded laptops to allow students who cannot afford their own devices to access BTEC qualifications

Connectivity: Provided Starlink capability to allow cadets to stay connected with friends and family during national activities such as the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT)

Historical Education: Flight Lieutenant Dave Purvis from 359 (Bexleyheath) Squadron received funding to continue a long-standing visit to Flanders, which increased costs would have otherwise ended

Emerging Technology: Joint funded Xbox devices and VR headsets as part of the Air, Space and Cyber Cadet Program Package

New Qualifications: Approved funding for a Sustainability BTEC award for cadets

Values Alignment

The charity operates according to five core values:

• Committed: Follow through on promises; ensure funds directly benefit cadets
• Inclusive: Make support accessible; ensure everyone feels valued
• Responsive: Adapt to changing needs through evidence and insight
• Transparent: Communicate openly about activities and fund usage
• Innovative: Remain forward-thinking and relevant

Key Terminology

The charity uses language focused on:

• “Equal access to opportunities”
• “Develop their full potential”
• “Skills, capacities and capabilities”
• “Social mobility”
• “Confidence, resilience and purpose”
• “Life-changing support”

Government Context

With the government's aspiration to grow cadet forces by 30% by 2030, the charity is positioned to support expansion and increased accessibility.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasize accessibility and inclusion: Demonstrate how your project removes financial barriers and ensures equal access for all cadets, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds

• Align with the eight priority categories: Ensure your application clearly fits within Aviation, Adventure Training, Technology, Immersive Training, Education, Employability, Health & Wellbeing, or Welfare

• Focus on outcomes for cadets: The charity puts “cadets at the heart of what we do” - emphasize direct benefits to young people's development, confidence, and future opportunities

• Address social mobility and digital poverty: Recent funding patterns show strong support for projects addressing inequality, particularly digital access for BTECs and affordable participation in activities

• Demonstrate innovation: The charity values being “forward-thinking” - projects incorporating emerging technologies (VR, AR, MR) or new educational approaches appear to be well-received

• Use the online portal: All applications must be submitted through the new online portal launched October 2025 - familiarize yourself with this system

• Leverage the government expansion agenda: With plans to grow cadet forces by 30% by 2030, projects supporting expansion and accessibility align with strategic priorities

References

• Air Cadet Charity official website: www.aircadetcharity.org.uk
• Air Cadet Charity Grants page: https://www.aircadetcharity.org.uk/grants
• Air Cadet Charity Mission, Vision and Values: https://www.aircadetcharity.org.uk/mission-vision-and-values
• Air Cadet Charity Team: https://www.aircadetcharity.org.uk/the-air-cadet-charity-team
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1160910
• 360Giving GrantNav - Air Cadet Charity CIO: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-1160910
• Giving is Great Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1160910