The two-yearly Beacon Awards celebrate and promote excellence in philanthropy. But Beacon is more than an awards ceremony. It is a fellowship network of inspirational and diverse philanthropists, with whom we can connect and from whom we can learn.
This week saw the launch of 17 Vital Signs reports, which measure social trends and issues, and bring in the view of local communities. Similarly, OCF’s Oxfordshire Uncovered research is already starting conversations about the need for strategic charitable investment.
Using her charitable fund with the community foundation, our donor has recently given £25,000 to local charities Asylum Welcome and Oxford City of Sanctuary, which provide a warm welcome to people from all over the world seeking refuge in our city.
Led by accountancy firm Clark Howes, Reciprocate Encounters is a quarterly-run professional skills programme delivered by companies who want to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the charity sector on a range of business-critical areas.
This year’s conference of the Worshipful Company of Marketors looked at how responsible, socially engaged companies are embedding community engagement throughout their business and marketing strategies. Reciprocate Chair Tony Stratton was a speaker.
Julia, who has a background as a solicitor and is currently Chair of the Institute of Directors, is joining OCF as a new staff member responsible for philanthropy and partnerships, whilst Neil, who is Senior VP of Product Marketing at Nielsen, has joined our trustee Board.
Our next Reciprocate event will be a thought-provoking reception hosted by Thames Valley Police at their local headquarters on Thursday 20th October from 6 to 8pm. Members will have the chance to hear from the frontline about issues affecting the local community.
This year’s High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Sarah Taylor is on a mission to support the people she describes as “unsung heroes” – those who are dedicated to caring for family or friends who are ill. She has so far raised nearly £74,000, of which the majority will be distributed amongst charities supporting Oxfordshire carers.
Leadership development organisation Leadershape Global is supporting the local community by donating 10% of any fees received from work commissioned or referred by members of OCF’s responsible business group Reciprocate. Any funds raised will go towards Reciprocate’s mission of empowering members to offer their time and talents to local charities.
Where residual monies on client accounts cannot be traced and returned to the original owner, professional firms are required to give these unclaimed balances to charity. Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) is working with local law firms to turn these unused funds into community investments.