Thanks to a potential trustee list held by Lord Lieutenant Tim Stevenson’s office, several charities have recruited new Board members with a wealth of experience, including OCVA, Community First Oxfordshire – and Oxfordshire Community Foundation!
Crowdfunding initiative The Funding Network will be holding its next event at the Old Fire Station in Oxford on 5th May 2016, and is now looking for nominations for local charitable projects to pitch for £4,000 in funding to an audience of donors.
Donors used to gifting their Winter Fuel Payment to the community foundation’s Surviving Winter appeal can now donate to our new Health and Wellbeing Fund, which has a wider remit to support anyone living in Oxfordshire in isolation, leading to loneliness and ill health.
Oxfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant (and OCF President) Tim Stevenson and his team have set up a scheme to assist voluntary organisations in the county, by extending the range of potential candidates from whom they may wish to select trustees or chairs.
The Oxford Times has just published its quarterly Business Barometer – the results of a survey of local business decision-makers. This issue focuses on how businesses engage with community and charitable organisations, with results suggesting that the corporate sector has a lot to give if charities can find more sophisticated ways to approach them.
OCF’s grant-making in 2014-15 showed solid support for groups that enable people with disabilities to take a fuller part in their community, representing 34% of grants made. Our grant-making also tells the story of our donor-advised funds.
A combination of new donor-advised funds, match funding and more strategic grant-making means the 2014-15 financial year was our best yet. By building on our income successes with Gift Aid and an impressive investment fund performance, we have been able to make bigger community investments than ever before.
OCF was delighted to attend the grand opening of the social enterprise cafe in Witney, which was unveiled during a surprise visit from the Prime Minister. The opening is the latest chapter of a success story that has seen OCF support Yellow Submarine from the very start.
A group of enthusiastic school children took part in an interactive workshop with author-illustrator Emily Gravett as part of the annual Maggie’s Day event at The Story Museum on Thursday. The day is a chance for Maggie Evans’ family and friends to remember her and to celebrate her love of books and stories.
Funds raised during the Surviving Winter appeal in Oxfordshire total just over £12,000, and have been used to support a variety of community groups across the county who are expert in meeting the needs of elderly and vulnerable people.