Discover Funding Opportunities

Connected Communities Fund

The Connected Communities Fund is a partnership between OCVA, Community First Oxfordshire, and Oxfordshire County Council to support The Oxfordshire Way, a countywide vision to help people live well and independently in their communities for as long as possible. It's all about building resilience, reducing isolation, and creating opportunities for people to stay active, connected, and supported close to home. The fund supports regular, ongoing activities that bring people together and create lasting impact, including activities that help people connect and socialise, projects that support mental and physical wellbeing, initiatives that reduce isolation including language, cultural, or caring barriers, and intergenerational or community-wide projects focused on benefits for older people. The fund especially welcomes projects that fill gaps in local support, add to what's already available locally, try something new such as tackling digital exclusion or using local spaces creatively, work with local businesses to create social, environmental, or economic benefits, support unpaid carers, and help build strong, resilient communities that last beyond the life of the grant. Organisations can apply for up to £5,000 to help cover costs of running activities that benefit older adults (50+) and adults (18+) with additional needs, including people living with physical or mental health conditions, neurodivergent adults, those experiencing loneliness or social isolation, people facing language or cultural barriers, and unpaid carers. Projects can focus on community-based socialising, health and wellbeing, arts, culture and creativity, green/environmental and outdoor activities, and learning new skills. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with no closing date until all funding has been allocated. The fund is currently paused with updates to be announced on their website and social media channels.

The Didcot Powerhouse Fund

The Didcot Powerhouse Fund, launched at the end of 2021, invites grant applications from charities and organisations providing support to the wider Didcot community. Grants are offered annually and are themed. The Fund aims to accelerate levelling up in the Didcot area by streamlining corporate and community giving more effectively to support neighbourhoods where additional support is urgently needed. The theme for 2026 is 'Powering a healthy Didcot', which aims to improve physical health, mental health and community resilience in Greater Didcot and the surrounding villages. At least 90% of beneficiaries of any grant from the Fund must live inside the Didcot Garden Town Area of Influence. Over the last four years, £383,000 has been awarded in 70 grants all serving beneficiaries in the Powerhouse area.

Kindred Grants

The Kindred Grants programme provides financial, emotional, and practical support to descendants of Henry Smith's sister, Joane. When Henry Smith died in 1628, his Will included a legacy to help members of his family (his 'Kindred') in financial need. Today, more than 4,500 people are registered as Kindred, and the Foundation awarded 472 grants to 223 people in 2024. The programme offers a range of help including low income support for adults on low incomes (retired or working), one-off costs for essential household items like replacing a washing machine, and financial assistance for students taking their first degree at a UK university. Financial assistance is mainly for those with low incomes and is tailored to individual circumstances. The programme also includes a free, confidential helpline open to all Kindred regardless of income, providing support for mental and physical health, financial advice, personal issues, befriending, counselling services, and legal advice. The Foundation works with partners including Charis for streamlined support delivery, The OT Practice for occupational therapy assessments, and Pennysmart for money and debt advice.