Group of people at an event, from all parts of the community - young and old - including Scouts, footballers, a vicar, amateur dramatics actors in costume, and OCF CEO Jayne Woodley centre
Grants
We award grants to local organisations with a charitable purpose that we believe will benefit Oxfordshire.

Our grants help a huge variety of community groups throughout Oxfordshire, with beneficiaries ranging from children with disabilities to people coping with homelessness, and vulnerable adults struggling with mental health, amongst many others.

One application for a grant from Oxfordshire Community Foundation provides groups with access to the whole range of different funds that we manage. Whichever fund the grant is to be made from, we will always consider the following:

Organisation of the group
We will only award grants to constituted groups that have been established for at least 12 months. The group should be able to demonstrate it has the capability to run the project.
Purpose of the project
There should be a genuine need for the project, and its purpose must be clear. We prefer our grants to fund projects that will leave a permanent legacy and will continue after the grant is spent. It must be clear that the community in Oxfordshire will benefit from the project.
Financial details
We always want to ensure that the project is value for money. It should aim to deliver a value to the community that exceeds the project cost. A group’s finances are very important as these may determine from which fund grants are available. All groups must have a bank account in their own name.
We check on the progress and success of projects we fund, and it is very important to us that evaluation of the project is completed. It is through this process that we keep learning.

Apply for a grant

QUICK LINKS

Projects we supportApply for a grantFuture-Building FundGrant evaluationComic Relief

Browse our 21st birthday impact report
  • “We believe you do a sterling job for the communities of Oxfordshire. Keep up the good work.”
    A silhouette of an anonymous person
    Raymond May
    Raymond May, Treasurer, Barton United FC
  • “Your grant will boost our fund to the point that we now confidently commission the work.”
    Kay Alty of New Yatt Riding for the Disabled Association, giving a treat to a fleabitten grey horse
    Kay Alty
    New Yatt Riding for the Disabled
  • “Many thanks indeed. This sum will make a significant difference to the project. We appreciate enormously the support for Falcon from OCF and from Comic Relief. Please pass on our thanks and best wishes to your colleagues.”
    Roger Tritton
    Roger Tritton
    Falcon Rowing and Canoe Club
  • “A BIG THANK YOU to the community foundation for your support. The valuable work and support the foundation provides to many organisations and groups is fundamental to the delivery of vital services supporting vulnerable families, children , young people... Your support for our project is very much valued and appreciated.”
    Carol Richards on the canal
    Carol Richards
    Children & Families Services Manager at Dovecote Children's Centre
  • “The overriding aim of LYP is to bring hope for the future to young people, some of whom have given up on expecting anything positive out of life.”
    Richard Colebrook, founder of the Leys Youth Programme
    Richard Colbrook
    Project Leader, Leys Youth Programme
  • “Personally I would just like to say a massive thank you for your wonderful donation towards our wheelchairs. Without it it would have taken much longer to get this project off the ground. For that I will be eternally grateful for your wonderful support.”
    Keeley Bond
    Keeley Bond
    Faringdon Community College PTA
  • “OCF have been a pleasure to deal with: efficient, effective, and prompt in their communications, and understanding when problems or delays have impeded our progress, for which we are very grateful. The work they are doing in our county is first-class, reaching into all areas of the community.”
    Helen Johns
    Helen Johns
    Thame Players Theatre Company
  • “The grant increased morale, encouraged more fundraising and increased activity ranges.”
    Olivia Bloomfield
    Olivia Bloomfield
    The Pump House Project
  • “I am constantly astonished how much time and energy and commitment hundreds of people around Oxfordshire give to the community every week, often every day of their lives.”
    Tim Stevenson, OCF's president, wearing his Lord Lieutenant's uniform
    Tim Stevenson
    Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire and OCF President
  • “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
  • “OCF provides a much-needed and professional service in Oxfordshire.”
    Jocelyn Ireson-Paine
    Jocelyn Ireson-Paine
    Finance Assistant, Cutteslowe, Wolvercote & Wytham Co-operative Trust
  • “The support shown by OCF – with trustee Prof. Ann Buchanan gracing the event with her presence – really helped make the event a huge success.”
    Kanta Gopal
    Kanta Gopal
    Oxford Mela
FEATURED

Leys Youth Programme logo

Leys Youth Programme

A grant from OCF has helped Leys Youth provide clubs and vital mentoring for young people in areas of educational under-achievement and social exclusion.

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Yellow Submarine logo

Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine runs projects across Oxfordshire for young people with learning disabilities and autism. In 2014 they received a grant from OCF.

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