Thanks to the generosity of some key donors, OCF was able to boost the government- and lottery-funded Youth Social Action Fund by 172%, meaning we could make 15 grants totalling £72,870 to local charities leading the way in engaging young people.
Representatives from 17 charitable funding and support organisations in Oxfordshire came together on 13th June at Freeths to discuss how best to support the voluntary sector locally. The forum included presentations by 360 Giving and The Good Exchange.
Following consultation over the past year or so with the charitable sector and our donors, OCF has made the decision to revise our grant-making strategy and programmes. Our new grants programmes are now open, with the next closing date 17th July 2017.
The Oxford Royal Society of Arts (RSA) will host an all-day event in Oxford Town Hall this Saturday 10th June for anyone interested in or working on projects to bring about social change. RSA Motivate invites local community organisations and socially minded individuals to display ideas and seek collaborations.
Volunteer’s Week, from 1st to 7th June, is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. Locally, Team Oxford has launched a movement to build more collaborations between charities and volunteers wanting to improve lives.
Following a highly successful period of fundraising, including grants totalling £10,000 from OCF, Aesop has announced a significant expansion of its pioneering Dance to Health programme.
The Beacon Awards for philanthropy were announced at a glittering ceremony at Mansion House last week, with 12 people recognised for their generosity, innovation and collaboration. OCF supporters Jane Wates OBE and Monawar Hussain were amongst those shortlisted, in the company of winners Dame Kelly Holmes and Dame Vivienne Westwood.
Reciprocate members and staff from Oxfordshire Community Foundation joined over 950 delegates at yesterday’s Business in Oxford conference at The King’s Centre in Oxford. Delegates enjoyed seminars on a wide range of topics, including a session on corporate social responsibility sponsored by Reciprocate member Unipart.
We are delighted to be sponsoring the volunteer category at this year’s OCVA Awards ceremony. The awards recognise the many individuals who give thousands of hours of their time to helping others in Oxfordshire.
OCF’s Chief Executive Jayne Woodley contributed towards an event run by the Oxford Diocese on Wednesday about homelessness in Thames Valley. Attendees were asked to consider how the church can respond to rising numbers of rough sleepers and soaring rents and house prices.