OCF’s 30th birthday brought together our wonderful community of donors, funders, grantees, volunteers and supporters to celebrate at The Randolph Hotel in Oxford, courtesy of our generous sponsors, Wise Investment.
We were delighted to welcome 150 people to the festive surroundings of the hotel’s ballroom to celebrate the impact of our grant-making over the last 30 years and give thanks to our donors, supporters and volunteers who enable us to deliver our mission.
It was a joyful and moving occasion for the OCF team of staff and trustees – most of all to feel the warmth of our guests towards OCF and our work, and to sense that our supporters care about Oxfordshire as much as we do. We enjoyed talking to people who have been associated with OCF for many years, as well as our newest contacts. It’s so humbling to know that we are building on 30 years of dedication and belief in the idea of a community foundation in our county.
The drinks reception offered guests a wonderful chance to reconnect, forge new relationships, and celebrate OCF’s 30 years of building thriving communities. Lively conversations filled the room as canapés and music created a warm, festive atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of the occasion.
Guests enjoyed an inspiring line-up of speakers who offered thought-provoking insights into the power of philanthropy and the joy it brings to both giver and receiver.
Our keynote speaker, philanthropy expert and author Rhodri Davies, explored the often misunderstood nature of giving, reminding us that meaningful philanthropy is not reserved for the wealthy:
‘You don’t have to have millions of pounds to do philanthropy in any meaningful way. Philanthropy comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes and it’s absolutely crucial not to think that just because you can’t give like Bill Gates you can’t make a difference. Even the smallest acts of kindness and generosity can create ripple effects that end up changing the world’.
We were also privileged to hear from Mark Beard, whose company, Beard Construction, has held a named fund with OCF since 2016. Mark shared his personal philanthropic journey with OCF and the joy he finds in supporting his staff’s fundraising efforts, whilst taking an active interest with the charities benefiting from the Beard Charitable Foundation’s fund. He explained why giving through OCF matters to him:
‘OCF plays a key role in the charitable ecosystem, backing small, dynamic charities that can make a real impact and it is well worth supporting them in word and deed in a way that reflects your personal interests’.
The work of OCF over the last 30 years was brought to life in a moving video, celebrating the powerful impact of grant-making. The video demonstrated how over the years our funding has helped the smallest charities to thrive, enabling tiny start-ups to become well established, making a difference to thousands of people’s lives in Oxfordshire. Since 1995, we have awarded over £20 million in grants supporting over 2,000 local organisations.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt toast from OCF’s President, Lord-Lieutenant Marjorie Glasgow BEM, celebrating three decades of impact and the vital role Oxfordshire’s charitable and community groups play in creating a stronger, fairer county.
With the continued support of donors, supporters and volunteers, OCF looks forward to the next 30 years – working together to create lasting impact for generations to come.
Find out more about how you can join our community of donors and support Oxfordshire’s residents to build brighter futures.