Ernest Cook Trust funds registered charities, schools and not-for-profit organisations wishing to encourage young people’s interest either in the countryside and the environment, the arts or aiming to raise levels of literacy and numeracy.
The Trust operates two grant making programmes.
Small grants programme (under £4,000) supports state schools and small registered charities.
Meetings to consider applications for the small grants programme take place bi-monthly throughout the year. This programme deals mainly, but not exclusively, with requests for support from state schools and small charitable organisations. Applications from state schools must be signed by the head teacher.
There is no specific closing date; suitable applications are allocated to the next available meeting though it is always wise to think well ahead of the start date of your project. Although the full range of the small grants programme is up to £4,000, due to the huge pressure on the available resources most awards are in the region of £1,000 to £1,500.
Large grants programme (over £4,000) is aimed at more comprehensive education programmes.
The full board of Trustees meets twice a year, in April and September, to consider grants in excess of £4,000. At the Spring meeting only projects related to the arts, crafts & architecture and literacy, numeracy and science are considered while at the Autumn meeting only projects covering environment & countryside and literacy, numeracy and science are considered. Apart from a few larger awards to projects especially close to the interests of the Trustees, most awards are in the range of £4,000 – £10,000.
Applications for the Spring meeting (which usually takes place in mid-April) must be received by the Trust by January 31st of that year. Applications for the Autumn meeting (which takes place in September) must be received by the Trust by July 31st of that year.
All projects should focus on the needs of children and young people and have a clear educational purpose.
This is a continuous rolling deadline but the dates of decision meeting can be found here: ernestcooktrust.org.uk/grants/how-to-apply/
