Community grants and funding
Community Services Investment Fund
West Oxfordshire District Council is inviting applications to its Community Services Investment Fund, a three-year funding programme running from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030. Grants of up to £30,000 per year are available to organisations delivering projects and services that benefit communities across the district.
The purpose of the fund
The Community Services Investment Fund has been established to provide greater financial stability for organisations delivering work that creates positive outcomes for residents, communities and the environment, whilst also supporting the Council's priorities.
The fund will support projects that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:
- Climate Resilience – achieving a reduction in carbon emissions and creating sustainable communities that are resilient to climate impacts, primarily flooding, extreme heat, and drought.
- Nature Recovery – enhancing the natural environment to increase biodiversity, alongside providing wider opportunities for people to access it and understand its value.
- Community Wellbeing – reducing health inequalities and creating more connected communities to enable people to enjoy a better quality of life.
Who can apply?
Applications are welcomed from large scale:
- Constituted voluntary and community groups
- Registered and excepted charities
- Community Interest Companies
- Independent statutory bodies in appropriate circumstances.
Collaborative applications and partnership approaches are particularly encouraged.
Key dates
- Applications open: Monday 20 July
- Community Services Investment Fund Application Clinic: Wednesday 19 August, 12pm-4:30pm: 30-minute advice sessions are available to organisations who intend to submit an application. Sessions can be held via Microsoft Teams, by telephone or in person at our Woodgreen office, book your slot here.
- Application deadline: Wednesday 16 September, 5pm.
- Funding start date: April 2027
How to apply
Full guidance, eligibility criteria and application documents are available once you register or log in to the Publica Group Electronic Tendering Site here. If you have any issues with registering or logging in, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at [email protected] who will be on hand to help.
Witney Central Community Insight Fund
The Witney Central Community Insight Fund invites applications for grants of up to £3,000 to support projects that enhance the health and wellbeing of local residents. Funding priorities are informed by recommendations emerging from the Oxfordshire Data Hub – Health and Social Care – Community Insight Profiles.
For this funding round, applicants are required to deliver activities aligned with one or more of the following priority areas:
- Local environment improvements (e.g. litter reduction and enhancement of green spaces)
- Support for young people, including the development of skills and confidence
- Provision for SEND and neurodiverse needs
- Reduction of social isolation among older residents through befriending and community transport initiatives
Organisations and community groups are encouraged to apply for funding to deliver impactful, locally responsive projects that address these key priorities and contribute to improved community wellbeing.
Who can apply?
- Local voluntary and community groups
- Charities
- New or emerging community-led initiatives
- Schools and colleges
Grant applications open on 24 August 2026.
If you have questions, need support with your application, or would like to request a paper version of the application form contact [email protected]
Civic Crowdfunding Scheme Launching This Autumn
Following the success of our Westhive scheme, we are pleased to share that we will soon be launching a new round of our civic crowdfunding programme in partnership with Crowdfunder UK this autumn.
What this means
Building on the strong foundations of our previous scheme, this programme will continue to bring together residents, local businesses, the Council and community organisations to support projects that improve life for residents across West Oxfordshire.
Through Crowdfunder UK, applicants will have the opportunity to:
- Raise funding directly from the community and local businesses
- Apply for Council support to help turn their ideas into reality
- Deliver projects that respond to local needs and priorities
Further details on funding levels, eligibility criteria and how to apply will be shared ahead of the autumn launch.
Get in touch
If you have an idea you would like to explore, or would like to find out more, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Email: [email protected]
Closed Grants
Three Year Grant Agreements - 2024 to 2027
Applications closed on 31 December 2023.
Our 2024 to 2027 Three Year Grant Agreements have now been awarded. You can see the groups we have funded and how they are using their grant to support the community in the file below:
WODC 3 Year Grant Agreements (SLA) Organisations & Awards (2024 to 2027) - pdf - 147 Kb
Grant review 2023
A review of the council’s grant budget was agreed by the Executive on 8 March 2023. You can read about the proposal here:
Contact: [email protected]
Other grants
We subscribe to Grants Online Local, a free, user-friendly service to help organisations identify funding sources available for specific projects. You will need to register the first time you use the site.
To search for grants, please visit: