Sources for Fundraising and Support

AFCP’s overall aim is to promote education and research in agriculture and food production by supporting charities that are working in the discipline, to make better use of their funds. Charities that fund research or education are not always as well informed of the wide range of initiatives that exist to support agriculture & food production as they could be.

Seven decades ago, a remarkable story began when a shy, unassuming man bequeathed his estates to the charity that bears his name - The Ernest Cook Trust. As a UK educational charity, the Ernest Cook Trust's important work helps nurture a lifelong journey of learning, appreciation and respect for the countryside through a range of Outdoor Learning experiences.

If you have a plan for the future – which involves food or farming and you're aged 18-35 – you could apply for support from the Henry Plumb Foundation. It could be an idea for a new or existing business, or for education, research, training, or a social media project. Whatever it is, you can make an application.

JIF provides an Undergraduate Bursary Award Scheme. If you are starting an undergraduate degree in Agriculture or a related discipline, JIF seeks applications. The JIF bursary will fund tuition fees subject to criteria being met.

The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust is a charity organisation whose aim is to bring positive change to agriculture through the development of its future leaders, sending them overseas to learn from others and helping them share their brilliant ideas when they return home. Since 1947, scholarships have been awarded to over 1,000 members of the food, farming, horticulture and rural industries.

The School for Sustainable Food and Farming is a community of organisations and people with a desire to see a profitable, productive and sustainable future for the UK agricultural industry. Its aims are to:

• equip farmers with skills, knowledge and training needed to become fully sustainable on all parameters: economic, environmental and social
• be a trusted source of information to demystify the journey to net zero and sustainable farming - talk a common language about sustainable agricultural systems
• work to improve farm practice and the farm data to track progress on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, sequestration, and broader sustainability metrics such as biodiversity, water and soils
• encourage new entrants into the farming and food industry, and a diversity of entrepreneurial talent to support the aims.

RCF is reopening its Supporting Rural Communities programme for applications on September 8, 2023. The programme has supported over 480 rural community-led projects to date. Grants of up to £25,000 are available. To be eligible for funding, organisations must be constituted, not for-profit, and community-led, with an annual turnover of less than £500,000.

The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) helps thousands of people develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems. In turn, they help millions of people in need. SSE runs courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference. Learning with SSE is inspiring, action-based and accessible, supporting people in other ways too, such as funding and mentoring.

WCF’s principal aim is to provide inspiring leadership and management training for anyone engaged in the Agriculture industry, and the Company offers considerable charitable financial support towards this aim. Our courses are renowned throughout the industry, with the flagship course in Agricultural Business Management heading towards its 60th year, and the Challenge of Rural Leadership course its 25th. The WCF collaborates with NFYFC for Oxford Farming Conference scholarships and Jubilee Awards.

My Community is a website for people and organisations who are passionate about their communities. Whether setting up a foodbank or planning finances, everyone needs a little help at times. My Community is the go-to place for this support. Website content has been curated, written, designed or hand-picked by leading voluntary sector organisations who truly understand what communities need to survive and thrive.

The Addington Fund exists for support you when you need help the most. By providing housing, and disaster relief in the form of animal feed or services to farmers in need across England and Wales, the Addington Fund stands by your side and helps you get back on your feet.

Details of a New Entrant Scheme will be available in 2025 which aims to offer new entrants opportunities to take their first steps into farming.

Yellow Wellies is an independent registered charity working throughout the UK to address the attitudes and behaviours to risk-taking and poor mental health in the next generation of farmers (under 40yrs). This is the team behind the annual Farm Safety Week in July and also the Mind Your Head campaign in February. NFYFC works in association with Yellow Wellies and offers club training resources.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is the membership community for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in England. An alliance that champions voluntary action. NCVO unites to champion the remarkable role of charities and volunteers. By speaking up and supporting each other to make a bigger difference.

RABI provides support to the farming community across England and Wales; for those who are currently working in agriculture and those who are no longer working due to illness, injury, disability or age. This includes the following: Owner occupier and tenant farmers, Agricultural contractors, Farm workers and farm contractors, Dealers in livestock, Field vegetable growers, Top fruit growers, Dependants of the above.

You can help schoolchildren learn about food, farming and the environment by connecting with LEAF Education. Some of the options include: consider accredited CEVAS training; host a school visit on your farm after completing CEVAS training. Engage with your regional education specialist or visit a LEAF Demonstration farm. You are your YFC can also volunteer to support Open Farm Sunday. NFYFC is a corporate member of LEAF Education.

Rural England brings together a network of rural stakeholders and decision-makers to share ideas and solutions. YFC AGRI is represented at Rural England meetings and shares information, research findings and useful networking. Rural England CIC is an independent and not-for profit research body.