Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) is delighted to announce that £302,000 has been awarded to 15 organisations through the 2026 round of the Thriving in Nature Fund, supporting projects that will help communities across Oxfordshire connect with, care for and benefit from the natural environment.
The Thriving in Nature Fund is a collective giving fund supported by 34 donors, including charitable trusts and foundations, businesses, individual philanthropists and donor-advised fund holders at OCF. By pooling resources, donors are helping to fund projects that address both environmental challenges and community wellbeing, creating benefits for people and nature across the county.
This year’s funding includes eight small grants, two medium grants and five larger two-year awards. Five of the funded organisations are new to OCF, helping expand the foundation’s reach into grassroots, community-led initiatives. The grants panel also placed particular emphasis on achieving a strong geographic spread, resulting in awards across every district in the county.
Supporting nature in all its forms
The organisations funded this year demonstrate the wide range of ways local groups are helping people and nature thrive together.
Projects include habitat creation and restoration, community gardening, river monitoring, wildlife-friendly land management, environmental education and volunteer-led conservation. Many are also using nature-based activities to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and create opportunities for people to build skills, confidence and community connections.
Several projects focus on ensuring the benefits of nature are accessible to everyone, including children and young people, disabled people, older residents, refugees, families on low incomes and people experiencing poor mental health.
Supporting nature recovery at scale
Among the larger awards, Wychwood Forest Trust received £50,000 to support a Reserves and Land Officer, who will expand volunteer opportunities, rural skills courses, guided walks and nature recovery projects, while working with groups that are traditionally underrepresented in environmental activities.
A further £49,920 was awarded to Equilore to expand outdoor equine-facilitated psychotherapy for Oxfordshire residents experiencing trauma, poor mental health and neurodevelopmental differences.
Another significant award will enable Cutteslowe Greenhouse to sustain its horticultural and community engagement work, supporting school visits and food-growing activities
Incubating grassroots community-led action
Alongside these larger grants, the fund is supporting smaller community organisations that are creating change in their own neighbourhoods.
15th Didcot Scout Group received funding to transform newly acquired land into a safe outdoor learning space where young people can grow food, create wildlife habitats and enjoy outdoor recreation close to home.
Meanwhile, Chinnor and Thame Friends of the Earth will provide nature-connection activities, green social prescribing opportunities and practical rural skills sessions for underserved local groups.
In Oxford, Iffley Fields Residents Association will transform local green spaces through community events, volunteer stewardship, engaging local families, migrant women and other residents.
Supporting organisations beyond the grants round
While the fund was able to support 15 organisations this year, the grants panel received many more strong applications from charities and community groups that could not be funded through this round.
Whilst not every project was successful, OCF’s team works hard behind the scenes to support organisations wherever possible. The team is often able to match strong grant applications with donors and fundholders whose interests align with the groups work, helping to open up further funding opportunities beyond the Thriving in Nature Fund.
The power of collective giving
The 2026 grants build on the strong foundations established during the first two years of the Thriving in Nature Fund and demonstrate what can be achieved through collective philanthropy.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and fundholders, organisations of all sizes are able to strengthen communities and help people across the county to enjoy our natural world.
Find out more about OCF’s collective funds and how you can pool your gift with other donors to make a bigger difference together.