Oxfordshire Community Foundation is bringing 90 guests representing local philanthropists, businesses and trusts and foundations together for a 21st-birthday celebration this Saturday at Broughton Castle, near Banbury. The event coincides with the launch of a new report that reveals the dark side of Oxfordshire.
Oxford-based construction company Beard has launched a charitable foundation to support staff community initiatives and construction education projects. The foundation has been set up with a £250,000 donation from the Beard family and will be held and managed by Oxfordshire Community Foundation.
Former High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Tom Birch Reynardson has raised over £20,000 for an innovative project run by local charity Aspire Oxford, which will reduce re-offending rates across Oxfordshire.
Over the past two years, the Future-Building Fund has given significant infrastructure funding to a range of excellent local charities that wanted to scale up their operation. The fund’s success was celebrated at a small gathering of donors, and published in a new report.
OCF’s Chief Executive and President were delighted to attend the service in Windsor, along with hundreds of representatives from communities in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Organiser The Oxford Foundation has recently set up a named fund with OCF to channel any fundraising.
Sarah Taylor this week took over from Tom Birch Reynardson as Oxfordshire’s High Sheriff, a year-long ceremonial and community role. During her shrieval year Sarah will be working with OCF to support and fundraise for people in the county who have caring roles.
We were saddened recently to hear that Eileen Cavalier, founder of the London College of Beauty Therapy and a friend of community foundations, passed away recently. Eileen spoke at our debate in November at the Oxford Union, making the case for the beauty industry’s philanthropic activity.
As a finale to his year as High Sheriff, Tom Birch Reynardson has invited former Chief Secretary of the Treasury Jonathan Aitken to give a talk at the Said Business School. Convicted of perjury and imprisoned in 1999, he will share an insider’s understanding of why such a huge percentage of offenders return to jail.
We celebrate our 21st birthday in 2016. As OCF comes of age, we want to build strong collaborations with partners who will be able to help us make an even bigger difference to Oxfordshire’s most vulnerable. Our event at the historic Broughton Castle will be the chance to hear from us and from eminent philosopher A.C.Grayling about the role of philanthropy in Oxfordshire today.
The High Sheriff hosted an event in Oxford Crown Court last night to celebrate a programme that introduces young people to the world of the courts. The project is administered through a charitable fund held and managed by OCF.