Setting up a named fund with us is a simple, robust and impactful alternative to setting up your own foundation or charitable trust. You will benefit from OCF’s governance and operational resources, and can be guided by our knowledge of and connections with the local charitable sector.
A named fund (sometimes known as a donor-advised fund) can be an effective way to carry out your personal charitable ambitions. A named fund can be a vehicle for your giving in three ways:
- An individual fund to organise your local giving in one place, simply and effectively
- A collective fund where donors or businesses pool funds to increase their personal impact
- A way to contribute to OCF’s series of annual grants rounds, open to organisations across the county.
We recommend a minimum gift of £30,000 to set up a named fund. If you have a smaller amount to give, we can talk to you about our collective funds and other giving options.
Gifts made through a named fund enable you to be extremely tax efficient. Whenever appropriate, OCF will reclaim eligible Gift Aid on your donation. If you are a higher-rate taxpayer, you can also claim back the difference between higher rate and basic rate tax on the value of your donation.
Your fund can be:
a) An endowment fund
A capital sum is invested into an endowment and the income generated provides grant-making funds throughout the year. Your investment can be set up as a one-off donation or grown over a number of years. Endowments provide a fantastic long-term investment, allowing donors to continue giving for years to come.
b) A flow-through fund
You create a fund with a donation that is immediately available for awarding grants to local projects. Our team will work with you to understand your interests and intentions, and will support you to disburse grants. Flow-through funds are usually topped up annually.
Your fund can also combine both endowment and flow through.
You can be as involved as you want to be in how the fund is used or you can leave it to us to decide. Our experience of managing funds, together with our research insights give us an in-depth understanding of the most urgent social problems within Oxfordshire.
Your fund can be anonymous or named after yourself, a family member, a friend, a company or anything that is personal to you.
Contact our Head of 
