Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA)
At a glance
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Key takeaways
- The funder suits CCF cadets and contingents, since its grants pay for annual camps, expeditions, specialist training, battlefield study trips and equipment, and its Small Grants are for individual CCF cadets.
- Typical individual grants are normally up to £350 and Group Activity Grants normally up to £750, so keep requests within those figures.
- The annual report lists the application method as by invitation only, yet the guidance says contingents can apply online at any time, so confirm the route with the charity before you send a request.
- Do not apply for Group Activity Grants for an activity funded by the Chain of Command at regional or national level, or if your contingent is not a CCFA member.
- Small Grants place particular weight on the cadet's personal circumstances and evidence of need, so describe these clearly.
Overview
Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1170994).
The Combined Cadet Force Association exists to develop the physical, mental, spiritual, moral and cultural capacity of young people through education in adventurous and military style training. Its grants support more than 55,000 young people who are cadets in the Combined Cadet Force, based in one of 464 school-based CCF Contingents in the UK. It runs two main grant programmes, the Small Grants Programme and the Contingent Growth Fund, and its Cadet Bursary Fund is no longer making new grants. It gave £712,350 in its latest annual report.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The Combined Cadet Force Association supports CCF contingents and individual cadets, funding activities, equipment and opportunities that enhance the cadet experience. It aims to help cadets from all backgrounds make the most of opportunities available through the cadet programme, including support for those facing financial hardship. Its grants help pay for annual camps, specialist and adventurous training, UK and overseas expeditions, battlefield study trips and specialist equipment. For groups, it helps make activities that are not funded at regional or national level by the Chain of Command accessible to all cadets. It also supports the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award within CCF contingents, helping more cadets take part in expeditions and activities.
Themes
- Annual camps
- Specialist training
- Adventurous training
- Expeditions
- Battlefield study trips
- Financial hardship
- Specialist equipment
What they don't fund
- Group Activity Grants only: Activities funded by the Chain of Command at regional or national level; CCF contingents that are not CCFA members
How to apply
CCF contingents can apply for Group Activity Grants online at any time after reading the guidance notes. Individual cadets can apply for Small Grants online after reading the guidance notes.
Who can apply:
- Small Grants: Available to all CCF cadets, with dedicated additional funds for those in financial hardship.
- Group Activity Grants: Open to all CCFA members.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- Small Grants place particular importance on the participant’s personal circumstances and evidence of a need for charitable support.
- Group Activity Grants are aimed at making activities not funded by the Chain of Command accessible to all cadets.
Where they fund
Registered area of operation (Charity Commission)
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA).
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 March 2021 | £232,795 | £1,657,666 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2021 |
| year to 31 March 2022 | £2,155,526 | £533,355 | £35,474 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2022 |
| year to 31 March 2023 | £1,355,239 | £2,274,708 | £1,432,686 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2023 |
| year to 31 March 2024 | £1,689,483 | £1,780,730 | £783,739 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2024 |
| year to 31 March 2025 | £1,547,349 | £2,094,502 | £712,350 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
In 1 of the 4 years shown, grants paid exceeded income.
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2022; year to 31 March 2023; year to 31 March 2024: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2025: the accounts do not say whether this is grants awarded or paid.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- supportingccfs.org
- supportingccfs.org/grants · read on 30 October 2026
- supportingccfs.org/contact-us · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 March 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA)?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Applying to Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA)?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required