2025 has brought our biggest ever year of grant-making, helping to build on three decades of empowering Oxfordshire’s charities.
This year has seen us celebrate our 30th birthday and given us the opportunity to reflect upon the work of our predecessors. From the humble beginnings of a few hundred pounds to today’s multi-million pound grant-making, OCF has remained focussed on its core purpose of championing the smallest community groups and local grassroots charities.
Since our inception in 1995 we have awarded over £20 million in grants. Our funding has helped hundreds of thousands of people overcome hardship, find hope and build brighter futures. This is all thanks to the tireless work of Oxfordshire’s smallest charities, and our community of donors, supporters and volunteers who believe in our mission and continue to show unwavering support.
Breaking records in 2025!
We are immensely proud that 2025 was a record-breaking year where we were able to award £2.5 million in grants, supporting 139 local organisations. From befriending services and support for survivors of domestic abuse, to empowering young people with learning disabilities and championing local community hubs, our funding has supported a wide range of needs. Our four funding priorities have focussed our grant making around tackling unaffordable essentials, addressing poor health, alleviating loneliness and fear, and countering lack of opportunity.
Zoe Sprigings, Chief Executive at OCF, said: ‘As we mark 30 years of service to Oxfordshire, we remain deeply committed to ensuring everyone in our county has a fair chance to thrive. We are inspired daily by the creativity and compassion of the charities and donors we serve; it’s a privilege to work alongside such dedicated people.’
You can find out more about our work in 2025, as well as over the last three decades in our newly published impact report.
If you are short on time, watch this short video (with sound on!) that brings to life our journey, and shares stories of hope from some of the grassroots charities we have been honoured to support over the years:
Together, we’ve achieved so much. Here’s to the next 30 years of building thriving communities in Oxfordshire.
Find out more about how you can become part of our community of donors.