If you know you want to support Oxfordshire and trust us to direct your funds to the most pressing cause of the moment, you can make a donation of any size quickly and easily. We can collect Gift Aid too.
Donate now
Giving through a community foundation means that your charitable investment is in a safe pair of hands. We use a combination of data-based needs analysis, and feedback from our extensive local charity networks, to identify the issues that need priority investment. We then direct funding to the most appropriate charitable organisations through our rigorous grant-making processes, and report back on the impact of our funding.
If you would like to take more time to plan your giving, please visit our giving pages or get in touch with our Head of Development Kate Parrinder.
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Kate Parrinder – Head of Development kate.parrinder@oxfordshire.org 01865 419467 |
Our current focus
The Living Essentials Fund
The lack of affordability of essentials such as food and housing is still affecting many communities locally. Despite a new price cap from April 2024, energy bills still remain 49% higher than in 2020/21. Those on the lowest incomes are struggling with a burden of debt, and continue to be unable to pay for basic standard of living costs such as food or heating. Persistent debt and poverty also have a knock-on effect on other issues, such as wellbeing and education.
Our Living Essentials Fund helps build resilience in communities, funding proactive preventative measures as well as frontline services. Grants from our fund have gone towards food and supplies, warm spaces, homeless support, sexual abuse support, family support hubs, mental health groups, education, enrichment activities, and many other services that people are relying on.
Make an unrestricted donation
Alternatively, you can make a one-off or recurring donation to be used at our discretion.
Unrestricted donations are used for our costs as well as grant-making. Donations of any size are welcome. You can do this quickly and easily online, by bank transfer or by cheque, and you will benefit from a 25% uplift on your donation if we can collect Gift Aid.
How to give
Online
Visit our Enthuse online giving platform and donate by card or Apple Pay. Gift aid can be easily claimed, if you are eligible, and boosts your donation by 25%.
By bank transfer
Please contact the team at 01865 798 666, and we will give you our bank details. We will also ask you to provide a reference on your transfer specifying if your donation is for a particular fund or appeal.
By cheque or CAF
Please make your cheque payable to “Oxfordshire Community Foundation” and post it to us at: 3 Woodin’s Way, Oxford, OX1 1HD.
Gift Aid
Don’t forget to complete a Gift Aid form, if paying by bank transfer or cheque, to really boost the value of your donation.
Where your money goes
Quick links
Amanda Ponsonby
High Sheriff of Oxfordshire 2020-2021
“OCF’s knowledge and resources drive real change. They unlock the power of community, allowing people to feel more connected to those around them, and for all who live in Oxfordshire to have better lives.”
Jane Wates
Jane Wates Patron Fund
“I opened a fund with OCF because of their knowledge, expertise and extensive contacts. I wanted to be part of it, to make my dream come true in helping the very young – the fund encompasses everything I’ve done in the past and expands the impact I’ve achieved”.
Ruth Layton
Founder sankalpa
“As a partner, OCF provide a mechanism which allows us to channel our philanthropic investment directly into the heart of the projects we care about.”
Richard Branson
“‘Stuff’ really is not what brings happiness. Family, friends, good health and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference are what really matters.”
David Harding
Hedge fund manager, philanthropist and OCF donor
“When you become wealthy and you have a lot of money, you’re starting to think about giving it away on a slightly industrial scale! Even if you give away the same percentage as ordinary people, you’re giving away larger sums of money so the way you’re going to do it is different.”
Legacy donor
“I’ve lived in Oxfordshire for many years, and feel I’ve benefited greatly from being in such a thriving and interesting place. Leaving a legacy to OCF in my will is my way of repaying this – and I also trust that they will understand exactly where funds are needed in years to come. Having seen…
Winston Churchill
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Paul Barry-Walsh
Beacon Fellow
“It’s really important to tell the world about what you’re doing. You’ll be naturally quiet and modest, and it’s not very British, but it is very important, so put your modesty aside, tell the world what you’re doing, because they’ll be interested!”
Paul Marshall
Beacon Fellow
“Every act of philanthropy touches a life. Deprivation is not destiny. If you come from a disadvantaged background, you just need to be given an opportunity.”
Marcelle Speller OBE
Beacon Fellow
“I feel passionately that so many more people could be philanthropists and are a bit afraid of it. What we need to do as Beacon Fellows is go out there and talk about it. One of the things I want to do is to share the joy that I’ve had!”