Ernest Cook Trust

Ernest Cook Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1146629).

The Ernest Cook Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales that exists for such charitable educational purposes as its trustees may think fit. Its grants support projects in outdoor learning, environmental engagement, connection to nature and Learning from the Land. The Trust cares for 9,000 hectares of land across six counties and donates over £2million of grants each year. It runs several grant programmes, including the Outdoor Essentials Grant, the Communities Grant and the Outdoor Learning Leader Grant, alongside the Blue Influencers Scheme and funded places for disadvantaged pupils through The Owl Collaboration.

Priority Areas

The Trust’s grant-making centres on making outdoor learning accessible and helping young people build relationships with nature. It funds state-funded schools to develop school grounds, provide outdoor resources and clothing, meet transport costs, and train teachers in outdoor learning. It also supports charities and non-profit organisations working with young people to connect with nature, including community projects and the employment of Outdoor Learning Leaders. Its wider work includes youth-led action on environmental and climate issues, and learning delivered with outdoor centres and schools. The Trust gives particular priority to underserved young people and communities, schools in areas of high deprivation, and organisations whose work advances regular outdoor engagement, nature connection and environmental learning. It expects applicants to consider equity, diversity and inclusion, and expects grantees to evaluate impact.

Themes

• Outdoor learning
• Nature connection
• Environmental engagement
• Climate action

Geographic Focus

United Kingdom; Cumbria; Lancashire; Gloucestershire; Wiltshire; Avon; Leicestershire.

Schools apply to the Outdoor Essentials Grant through the online application form shared on the Grants page when the grant is open. Charities and non-profit organisations apply to the Communities Grant using its application form. The Outdoor Learning Leader Grant has two stages: an initial Expression of Interest, then successful organisations are invited to submit a Full Application assessed by a staff panel.

Deadlines:

• The Outdoor Essentials Grant application window opens periodically throughout the year.
• The Communities Grant opens once per year and remains open until all funding has been allocated.

Application windows:

• Outdoor Essentials Grant: The next round is anticipated in January; the grant opens periodically throughout the year.

Who can apply:

• Outdoor Essentials Grant
  • Any UK state-funded Ofsted (or regional equivalent) registered primary, middle, secondary or special school within the postcode areas listed above.
  • Any UK state-funded Ofsted Registered Special or Alternative Provision School listed on the GOV.UK website and within the postcode areas listed above.
• Communities Grant
  • UK registered Charities, Community Interest Companies, non-profit organisations or Charitable Incorporated organisations whose vision is aligned with the Ernest Cook Trust and that are located within the specific postcode areas.
  • The organisation must work with young people aged 11-19 years (or up to 25 years old for Special Educational Needs & Disabilities).
  • Organisations must have an up to date Safeguarding Policy.
  • Organisations will need to have a bank account in the organisation’s name, a constitution or memorandum of association and a board or management committee of at least three unrelated people.
• Outdoor Learning Leader Grant: We will fund UK-based registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest groups and non-profit organisations whose vision is aligned with our own. You will need to have a bank account in your organisation’s name, a constitution or memorandum of association and a board or management committee of at least three unrelated people.

What to send:

• Communities Grant: A bank account in the organisation’s name, a constitution or memorandum of association and a board or management committee of at least three unrelated people.
• Outdoor Learning Leader Grant
  • Financial information, a copy of your latest Annual Report plus evidence of your Safeguarding Policy.
  • A job description for the proposed Outdoor Learning Leader role.

What the charity says:

• The Trust prioritises schools with underserved pupils in areas of high deprivation.
• It prioritises schools committed to outdoor learning and environmental engagement.
• It prioritises organisations supporting young people from underserved communities.
• Applicants are expected to consider equity, diversity and inclusion in every aspect of their work.
• It gives priority to organisations working in areas of high deprivation.
• It prefers a new Outdoor Learning Leader post but will consider an existing employee in a new role.
• Outdoor Learning Leader grantees are expected to measure the impact of their work.