If you have a question that isn’t covered by either the Community Impact Fund pages or these FAQs, please email us at grants@oxford.gov.uk
1. What are the community needs in Oxford?
You can find headline figures supporting Oxford City Council’s strategic priorities in the Council’s Strategy.
The Council produces a range of statistics about Oxford, including about poverty and deprivation.
The Oxford Community Impact Fund is a learning programme, and we want learning to be genuine in both directions. We want to hear about the needs that you or your organisation have identified with your beneficiaries and how you are responding to these.
The following sources of information are for reference; we aren’t looking for a detailed statistical case evidencing need. We are interested in the impact that you can have on the needs that you have identified.
Oxfordshire County Council Insight Team prepare county-wide data including two annual surveys:
- The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) which provides information about Oxfordshire's population and the factors affecting health, wellbeing, and social care needs.
- The Strategic Intelligence Assessment with data relating to crime and community safety.
2. Will the Oxford Community Impact Fund support all the areas, groups and categories you have listed on the Small Grants Application Form?
We may not be able to cover all the geographical areas, groups, and categories listed on the application form but would like the Small Grant to support organisations which reach as many in need as possible.
We have included tags to get an indication of where you work, who you work with, and what type of activity you intend to deliver, and this will be part of the consideration that goes into the balancing score. Please therefore take time to try and fill this out to the best of your ability.
3. We provide a service which is offered across the whole of Oxfordshire – do we tell you just about the stuff to be delivered in the City?
You are welcome to apply as an organisation with local expertise delivering across the county. You can tell us about how your project will support a county-wide service, but the Council can only fund activities that happen within the City - see our boundary map (exceptions apply for projects related to areas such as twinning). Please be specific about your delivery and delivery costs in the city.
4. What if we are unable to give a comprehensive answer to some of the criteria-specific questions?
We want to support projects that make a difference. We do not expect every organisation to perform highly against each criterion, but we would like to know how you might maximise your impact.
5. Where can I find out more information about Zero Carbon Oxford?
The Zero Carbon Oxford page is a good place to start with links to our action plan and a range of projects as well as other useful information. You might also like to look at #TogetherToZero which gives a list of nine practical actions that communities and citizens can take to make a difference in the face of climate change.
6. What is the Oxford Living Wage?
You can find out more about it at the Oxford Living Wage homepage.
7. Where would I find more information about what an inclusive economy means?
If you would like to learn more about the Council’s plans for an inclusive, global and zero carbon city economy you can see Oxford’s Economic Strategy.
8. How much money can I apply for?
Not-for-profit organisations can apply for up to £3,000 per Small Grant.
9. What is the deadline to submit my application for 2025 Round 1?
The deadline is 9am on Monday 5 May 2025. The application form will open on 31 March at 3pm.
10. Can you give more details about the partnerships section?
There are no additional scores to be gained from having as many lines on the partnership spreadsheet as possible - we are more interested in the quality of the partnership. Ultimately, we are looking for projects that can be impactful.
11. Is there a size or income / expenditure limit on organisations that can apply?
There are no restrictions on size or income / expenditure, however you must be not-for-profit (see more about organisations we can fund).
12. Can I apply for a project or activity that takes place outside Oxford?
We expect the majority of funded projects or activities to be taking place within Oxford. However, we can consider projects that go beyond Oxford, as long as you can demonstrate the community impact for Oxford. This could be for activities that take place in twin cities, for example.
