We are launching a new round of Community Capacity Funding, thanks to just over £500,000 from Oxfordshire County Council. Grants will be made to help Oxfordshire’s adult residents to live independently and healthily for as long as possible in their lives.
Last year, we received 133 detailed applications, of which 107 were rated good or outstanding, and 39 organisations received a share of £520,000 from the Community Capacity Fund. This represents a 29% success rate for applicants.
The Community Capacity grants support the Council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to support the people of Oxfordshire to live well in their community, remaining independent and healthy for as long as possible. This includes building both individual emotional resilience and community resilience, addressing health inequalities and addressing preventable conditions.
Local community organisations play a huge role in supporting people to thrive with less need for government services. This can help people have a much better quality-of-life.
- Independent living
- Increased physical activity
- Reduced isolation and loneliness
- Improved management of disabilities and long-term health conditions
- Increased support for unpaid carers
The grant is intended for vulnerable adults and those experiencing inequality and exclusion, including underserved groups that struggle to find support through traditional services.
The target beneficiaries are adults (18+) who live Oxfordshire and may need some support to continue to live independently linked to difficulties they may face due to:
- Their disability, frailty, and long-term condition and their carers
- People who may find it difficult to access care and support due to language, cultural or other barriers
- People living with social and economic disadvantage
Among these groups, priority weighting will be given to schemes supporting adults aged 65 and over and people who live in rural areas.
Applicants must fulfil the following criteria:
- Registered Charity, Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charitable Company (Limited by Guarantee), Community Interest Company, a Constituted but Unincorporated Club or Association (i.e. it has a constitution but is not one of the other entities listed above).
- Operating in Oxfordshire.
- Income under £1 million.
- At least one year of operation; if constituted for less than one year but active for longer, evidence should be provided.
- Have a bank account in its own name with at least two unrelated signatories, open for three months or more.
- Have at least three trustees/committee members/directors who are not related to each other.
- Have at least three months’ running costs in reserves (if they are more than 12 months, an explanation may be requested).
- Up to date monitoring and reporting to OCF for any previous grants received from OCF.
- National charities can only apply if their finances are separate from the national organisation (their own bank account) and have a local management committee. If finances are integrated into the national organisation, then they are not eligible and cannot apply.
Please note that groups who received Community Capacity funding in 2025 and requested a two-year period for expenditure on delivery are not eligible to apply for this round of funding.
Please also read our updated Grants Policy which sets out in detail the criteria that apply to all OCF grant-making.
- Running costs these are costs that keep your organisation running, such as salaries, rent, utilities, etc. Often known as “core costs”.
- Capital costs these are costs related to any physical assets your organisation may need, such as equipment or IT support.
- Project costs these are both core and capital costs directly associated with the delivery of a specific project.
Monday 14th September: Round opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI) submissions
Midday Monday 5th October: EOI closes
w/c Monday 12th October: Applicants notified of EOI decision
Monday 19th October: Detailed Applications open
Midday Monday 16th November: Detailed Applications close
w/c Monday 14th December: Funding decisions announced
By Tuesday 22nd December: Successful applicants provide required financial and governance evidence
By mid-February 2027: Grants paid
This year we have introduced an Expression of Interest (EOI) stage to make an initial application easier and quicker for you. This will comprise of a short initial application that will be reviewed to ensure a good fit with the round criteria.
The application process is as follows:
- Review the Guidance document to check your organisation and application are a good fit for the grants round.
- Submit your EOI – this is a short initial application
- Submit your full application – by invitation only for those whose EOI is good fit for the round
We have a number of documents to help you with your application before applying, including:
- Guidance document
- Eligibility questionnaire
- Frequently asked questions
- Example of a completed grant application
- Questions that are on the application form
We will be offering the following online drop-in sessions to answer any specific questions you may have about your application. The dates are:
EOI drop-in
Tuesday 22nd September, online, 9am – 4pm
Wednesday 23rd September, online, 9am – 5pm
Please email the Grants team at grants@oxfordshire.org to book a slot.
Detailed application drop-in
Monday 26th October, online, 9am – 4pm
Thursday 29th October, online, 9am – 5pm
If you would prefer to visit us at our office please contact the Grants Team on the contact details below.
If you are unable to make these advise sessions and have a question or query please don’t hesitate to contact our Grants team who are available to provide support with your application. Contact us on 07927 539699 (call, text or WhatsApp us), phone 01865 798666 or email us at grants@oxfordshire.org