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.
Hosted by The Oxford Foundation, which aims to promote religious harmony, the music concert on Thursday 8th October will showcase a classical ensemble made up of singers and musicians of Jewish, Christian and Muslim heritage working together.
Staff and trustees from all 48 of the UK’s community foundations gathered at the inspiring and thought-provoking event in Belfast. As well as the sharing of ideas and success stories via targeted workshops, participants had the chance to hear talks from renowned speakers, including former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward.
After three years of sterling service, our current Finance Manager Laura Keen will be leaving us at the end of the year. This means we are seeking a replacement Finance Manager for a part-time role in central Oxford.
Our four staff and two of our trustees will take a valuable pause for thought at the national community foundations conference, which takes place in Belfast with the theme of ‘Leadership: Transforming Vision into Reality’. During the three days of the conference the office will be closed and we will not be available on our usual phone number.
The need for greater collaboration between charities and more strategic giving by donors are key challenges for the charity sector, according to OCF’s CEO Jayne Woodley. She made the comments at the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Economic Question Time event at the Said Business School recently.
The new responsible business network will allow local corporate organisations to share best practice and learn from each other when it comes to their CSR, social impact and charitable giving. OCF is now seeking founder members to help shape the initiative.
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.
Thanks to the generosity of colleagues at several local firms, we are now able to offer a series of dates for our professional advisor briefings at a variety of times and locations. The briefings are aimed at financial advisors, solicitors and accountants working with private clients to plan their philanthropy.
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.