Pillars of a classical style building
Trusts and foundations
As part of our mission to continuously increase investment in Oxfordshire, we work with established or new trusts and foundations that would like to outsource part or all of their grant-making. We are also able to handle the transfer of dormant or moribund trusts.

We often work on behalf of other funding bodies and charitable trusts enabling them to support many smaller local Oxfordshire based projects. Our partnerships with organisations such as Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund helps them to channel vital funding into our network of local causes.

Our service to trusts and funding bodies
Both private trusts and foundations and national funding bodies use OCF’s local knowledge to make grants that fit their criteria and strategy, giving local voluntary and community organisations access to funding opportunities that might not otherwise have been available to them. In this way we can provide such partners with an administrative service via our grant-application and panel processes.
Our service to dormant trusts
Many private charitable trust become dormant because they have difficulty identifying beneficiaries, or because the trustees and founders find the administration and responsibility of running a charity becoming too onerous. A dormant trust’s funds can be revitalised by being released to OCF, where they can be used to support areas of current need in Oxfordshire. This service is endorsed by the Charity Commission.
To find out more about how we can help you manage your charitable trust, contact us.
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  • “Modern teenagers need a voice and to feel that they are really being heard. This in turn will help nurture and shape an empathetic and compassionate society which we will all benefit from.”
    Anne-Marie Cockburn
    Anne Marie Cockburn
    What Martha Did Next
  • “I am incredibly grateful to be part of OCF. The phenomenal support we’ve had has meant we can keep going; reach more vulnerable and distressed people and pay for our magical herd of horses.”
    Jo Corfield of Hopethruhorses
    Jo Corfield
    Founder, Hopethruhorses
  • “‘Stuff’ really is not what brings happiness. Family, friends, good health and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference are what really matters.”
    Richard Branson
    Richard Branson
    on signing the Giving Pledge
  • “I feel passionately that so many more people could be philanthropists and are a bit afraid of it. What we need to do as Beacon Fellows is go out there and talk about it. One of the things I want to do is to share the joy that I've had!”
    Marcelle Speller OBE
    Marcelle Speller OBE
    Beacon Fellow
  • “It is more difficult to give money away intelligently than to earn it in the first place.”
    Andrew Carnegie, a 19th century Scottish American industrialist and philanthropist
    Andrew Carnegie
    Philanthropist
  • “I’ve lived in Oxfordshire for many years, and feel I’ve benefited greatly from being in such a thriving and interesting place. Leaving a legacy to OCF in my will is my way of repaying this – and I also trust that they will understand exactly where funds are needed in years to come. Having seen small voluntary sector groups come and go, I find this longevity very reassuring.”
    A silhouette of an anonymous person
    Legacy donor
    Legacy donor to OCF
  • “I would never have known about many of the causes I’ve helped if the community foundation hadn’t told me about them. They are doing vital work and they need our support.”
    Jane Mactaggart, one of our generous donors and philanthropy fellows
    Jane Mactaggart
    Donor
  • “It’s really important to tell the world about what you’re doing. You’ll be naturally quiet and modest, and it’s not very British, but it is very important, so put your modesty aside, tell the world what you’re doing, because they’ll be interested!”
    Paul Barry-Walsh
    Paul Barry-Walsh
    Beacon Fellow
  • “I know the significant difference the Community Foundations have made in helping vulnerable people respond to a variety of challenges. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Community Foundations for such great work.”
    Rob Wilson
    Minister for Civil Society
  • “The huge satisfaction to be gained from spending one’s time in giving in your later years far outweighs any pleasures that you can possibly gain on the golf course, on the beach or on the back of the yacht in the Mediterranean sipping martinis.”
    Michael Oglesby, a UK businessman and philanthropist
    Mike Oglesby
    Coutts Million Pound Donor Report
  • “I can’t get over it; I’m still shaking when I talk about it. It’s just incredible… I feel a bit guilty about getting so much pleasure out of giving!”
    Terry Bramall, a UK businessman and philanthropist
    Terry Bramall
    Coutts Million Pound Donor Report
  • “I like to have something worthwhile to get up for each morning… I find that the larger and more strategic the gift, the more pleasure I get out of it.”
    Dame Stephanie Shirley, a British businesswoman and philanthropist
    Dame Stephanie Shirley
    Coutts Million Pound Donor Report
FEATURED

Legacy for a Legend logo

Legacy for a Legend

When Paul Thompson died of a sudden cardiac event, his wife and friend created a named fund in his memory that is used to fund life-saving defibrillators.

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Royds Withy King logo

Royds Withy King

Withy King’s patron fund with OCF helps us deliver a professional, efficient service to our donors and grant recipients, and helps them become more strategic with their charitable giving.

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Logo for the Maggie Evans Fund - a cartoon cat reading a book

The Maggie Evans Fund

This named fund, which helps children discover a love of books, was created in memory of Maggie Evans, who took her own life aged just 29, after a short but intense illness with depression.

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Charity Mentors

Charity Mentors is a service that helps charity leaders analyse strategic challenges and find the best way forward, coached by an expert in the field.

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