**** NOW CLOSED – funding decisions will be announced w/c 23rd December ****
We are launching a new round of Living Essentials Funding, building on the previous Cost of Living Fund. We will help charitable organisations to provide crucial ongoing support to ensure people in Oxfordshire have the basics needed for living a stable and safe life. We hope to have approximately £200,000 available to award in grants.
Groups may apply for a grant from the Living Essentials Fund as well as the Community Capacity Fund which is currently open for applications, however we expect to be oversubscribed for both rounds so are unlikely to fund both applications. Should you wish to apply for both then the purpose of funding should be different.
Last year around 200 organisations applied and 35 organisations received a share of £270k from the Cost of Living Fund.
The need in Oxfordshire
We know that the the high cost-of-living has not gone away for many people in our county. Latest figures show:
- 9% of households live in fuel poverty
- 2,091 households are homeless
- 10.5% of children live in low income families
The Living Essentials Fund will support charitable organisations that are helping people with unaffordable essentials such as homelessness, food insecurity and warmth as well as debt advice.
We are seeking grant proposals which deliver one or more of these outcomes:
- Preventative solutions that help individuals build financial stability
- Support for community resilience, including mitigating summer heat or autumn/winter cold
- Basic services for those in crisis to prevent them slipping into greater need
- Schemes that improve home comfort and efficiency and address housing insecurity
The following are examples of the types of activities we are looking to see in applications. However, we welcome applications for activities beyond these.
- Debt advice, benefit and practical advice, particularly around reducing energy or housing costs
- Drop-in centres, including thermally comfortable spaces, lunch clubs, social clubs and family support groups
- Practical advice on keeping homes a comfortable temperature (cool in summer or warm in winter)
- Food and meal distribution, clothing and accommodation
Applicant organisations must have an income under £500,000 per year. 10% of grant funds are ring-fenced for grants to organisations with an income under £50,000 per year.
We are looking to support those who are already disadvantaged. This list is not exhaustive, but examples include those on low incomes, isolated older people, minoritised ethnic groups, people with mental and physical health challenges, asylum seekers or recent migrants, and people with a nomadic lifestyle, such as Gypsy, Traveller and Roma.
Grants round opens – 7th October
Grants round closes – Midday on 4th November
Funding decisions announced – w/c 23rd December
Successful applicants provide required financial and governance evidence – by 19th January 2025
Grants paid – by 31st January (contingent on financial and governance evidence being received and due diligence being completed)
- Apply online from 7th October to midday on 4th November
- Read the guidance document to help you with your application
- Read the full list of questions required for this application
- Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions
- For full eligibility criteria please refer to our grants policy
We want to make your application process as easy as possible. We will be holding a variety of sessions to talk you through the application process and to help resolve any issues or questions you may have.
No booking or registration is required, just drop in at the times below:
Online drop-in session: The Grants team will be available online between these times for you to ask any specific questions relating to your application.
- Tuesday 15th October 2 – 3.30pm Join the Zoom meeting
Physical drop-in session: Pop into the OCF office to meet the team and ask any questions you may have about your application.
- Tuesday 22nd October, 5pm – 6.30pm. Find us at 3 Woodin’s Way, Oxford, OX1 1HD. We are located a 5-minute walk from the Westgate shopping centre, Gloucester Green bus station and Oxford train station. Please note parking is not available, however do contact us if you have any accessibility needs.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us on ocf@oxfordshire.org or 01865 798666 with any questions. The team is available to provide support with your application.
Please note: The OCF team will all be at the annual UK Community Foundations conference from 8th – 10th October and will not be contactable during this period. Please email any questions you have and the team will reply w/c 14th October.