Oxford City Council has approved over £1m of grant funding for 2025/26 to support community and voluntary organisations across the city.
The funding aims to strengthen local services, empower communities and reduce inequalities in Oxford.
As part of its commitment to making funding more accessible, the Council has also introduced new measures to simplify and streamline the grant application process.
Investing in Oxford’s communities
The Council’s grants programme provides crucial financial support to organisations delivering essential services, strategic projects, and community-led initiatives.
Oxford is the UK's second most unequal city. Through the Oxford Community Impact Fund and ward member budgets, funding will help address key challenges, such as providing advice services, supporting vulnerable communities, and promoting social inclusion.
From 2025/26, applications will be assessed primarily on their impact in reducing inequalities and their ability to attract additional funding, making the process clearer and more efficient for applicants.
Funding opportunities for local organisations
The Oxford Community Impact Fund provides grants across four key areas:
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Essential services grants – Sustaining vital services such as advice centres and domestic abuse helplines. Core funding for these services will be maintained at the current level until March 2028, ensuring continued support for those in need of financial, housing and legal assistance.
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Rent support grants – Assisting community organisations with property costs, such as peppercorn rent rates.
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Small grants – Providing financial support (up to £3,000 per round) for not-for-profit local initiatives, ensuring accessibility for smaller community groups. To allow organisations to focus more on delivering projects rather than administration, there are now two application rounds per year (previously there were three). The next round of funding will open on Monday 31 March.
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Big Ideas grants – Supporting long-term, strategic projects with city-wide benefits. Not-for-profit organisations can apply for up to £35,000 per year for a maximum of three years. Applications for the next round of Big Ideas funding are now open.
In addition to the Oxford Community Impact Fund, each of the city’s 48 councillors has an annual ward budget of £1,500, which can be allocated directly to local community projects and initiatives.
Delivering real impact
Last year, the Oxford Community Impact Fund supported over 160 projects. Residents made over half a million visits to schemes receiving funding, ranging from community food initiatives to youth activities. It has also helped community groups unlock additional external funding, amplifying their impact and sustainability.
Commitment to inclusion and sustainability
Funded projects must demonstrate how they contribute to a fairer, more inclusive Oxford. The programme also aligns with Oxford City Council’s environmental priorities, encouraging organisations to adopt low-carbon practices and enhance biodiversity.
“These grants will provide essential funding for many valued community organisations, enabling them to provide vital services and support to Oxford residents. This year we’ve changed the criteria for awarding the grants to provide a tight focus on work to reduce inequality in Oxford. We’re the UK’s second most unequal city and I’m determined these grants support projects and groups which are tackling this ugly scar on our beautiful city. I hope we’ll get applications from a wide range of groups from right across the city and I can’t wait to see the positive impact these funds will have on communities and the difference made to people’s lives.”
Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities
For more information on grant opportunities and how to apply, visit https://www.oxford.gov.uk/oxford-community-impact-fund
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