The new Oxfordshire Collective Business Fund is a way for local businesses to make a genuine difference to the communities in which they operate, by combining contributions in one fund from which grants are made annually to Oxfordshire charitable organisations.
The Didcot Powerhouse Fund, which is hosted by OCF, has confirmed that in its first year of grant-giving it has been able to make grants totalling £95,508 to 17 organisations, with grants ranging from £400 to £13,000.
The Didcot Powerhouse Fund aims to tackle inequality and deprivation within the Garden Town Area of Influence in Didcot. It was founded by Didcot First, key local employers, professionals and volunteers. Together they want to ensure Didcot becomes a more inclusive and sustainable community by attracting funding from a wide range of sources. The Fund was officially launched at an event on the 10th November.
The Westgate Fund was established in 2017 with a £125,000 donation from John Lewis, and is held and managed by Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF). Since then it has funded 18 different community initiatives across Oxford.
The OCF team was very sorry to hear that one of our cherished volunteers passed away this week. Sarah Hodgkinson was an influential figure for our Reciprocate responsible business group, showing local companies how they could share their time and skills with the community effectively.
Over 100 people took part in a symposium at the Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre, Worcester College yesterday to understand more about how businesses can support the community by sharing time, talent and skills – and boost staff leadership potential at the same time.
OCF will host a morning symposium to help businesses understand how to share the time, talent and skills of their employees with the charity sector. It will take place Tuesday 10th April 2018 at the Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre.
Happy New Year to all of our donors, supporters and grant applicants! As we look towards 2018, we are reflecting on what we have learnt in 2017 that will form the basis of our work going forward.
Last week’s #GivingTuesday was a global day of charitable giving, and the chance for OCF to celebrate the impact of our donors’ time, talent and treasure in improving the lives of people in Oxfordshire.
Barton and Blackbird Leys based charity Thrive develops young people to bring hope and lasting change to disadvantaged communities. Their annual Young Achievers Dinner and awards was a testament to the power of investing in young people.