The Ernest Cook Trust is an educational charity that uses land, nature, and outdoor experiences to improve young people’s learning, wellbeing, and life chances. It mainly funds UK-based schools, charities, and community organisations that help children and young people access nature, build outdoor learning skills, and gain land-based employment experience. Its distinctive approach combines small local access grants with larger, multi-year investments in outdoor learning leaders, youth environmental action, and apprenticeships in the land sector.
Mix of small round-based grants and larger multi-year awards. Typical support includes low-value grants for schools and community groups, up to £20,000 per year for up to 3 years for leadership roles, and partner-based funding for collaborative outdoor learning programmes; most opportunities are geographically targeted and some are invitation or partnership-led.
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Watch eligibility closely: many grants are limited to specific UK postcodes, catchments, or partner locations, and some are offered in rounds with fixed opening/closing dates. Smaller grants are best suited to schools and local nonprofits that can show direct outdoor-learning or nature-access benefits, while larger opportunities usually require a stronger programme model, youth focus, and clear delivery plan for land-based or environmental outcomes.
Current and upcoming funding from The Ernest Cook Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Offered to primary and special schools (£500) and secondary schools (£1,000). Current round is open only for specified postcodes; a further UK-wide round is anticipated in January 2027.
Deadline: Current round closes 3 June 2026; further UK-wide round anticipated January 2027.
Who can apply: For charities and non-profit organisations supporting young people aged 11–19 in specific postcodes and catchment areas of the UK.
Deadline: Next application window anticipated June 2026.
Who can apply: Available to charities and non-profit organisations in specific postcodes and catchment areas of the UK to fund an Outdoor Learning Leader.
Deadline: Next application window anticipated October 2026.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.