Community grants and funding
West Oxfordshire Crowdfund
Launching on 2 November 2026! West Oxfordshire Crowdfund is a funding programme from West Oxfordshire District Council, delivered through Crowdfunder UK, that helps community groups and organisations bring their ideas to life.
By combining support from local residents, organisations and the Council, the programme helps unlock funding for projects that make a real difference across West Oxfordshire.
In 2026–27, £120,000 is available to help communities develop innovative solutions to local challenges and create lasting positive change. Eligible organisations can apply for match funding of up to 50% of their crowdfunding target, to a maximum of £12,000 per project.
The purpose of the fund
The West Oxfordshire Crowdfund aims to support ambitious, community-led groups and organisations that create lasting benefits 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:
- Community Wellbeing – reducing health inequalities and creating more connected communities to enable people to enjoy a better quality of life.
- 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.
Who can apply?
Applications are welcomed from:
- Registered and excepted charities
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations
- Community Interest Companies
- Constituted voluntary groups
- Community Benefit Societies
Organisations must deliver activities that benefit people living in West Oxfordshire and meet the fund's eligibility criteria.
Key dates
Funding is allocated through two application windows during the year.
- West Oxfordshire Crowdfund opens: 2 November 2026
- Applications welcome: 2 November 2026 to 18 January 2027
- Applications reviewed: 18 January to 9 February 2027
- Council funding pledges announced: 15 February to 19 February 2027
A second application window will open later in 2027, subject to funding availability.
How to apply
To apply, create a project on the Crowdfunder UK platform. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/. You will raise money from your community, with residents, businesses and other supporters able to pledge to your project.
If your project meets the fund's criteria, you will be invited to apply for Council funding through the Crowdfunder UK platform. The Council has allocated £120,000 per year for the next 3 years to support projects through the programme. Eligible projects can receive a Council pledge of up to 50% of their crowdfunding target, capped at £12,000 per project, subject to meeting the funding criteria.
Successful applicants will be offered a funding pledge from the Council. To secure this funding, projects must reach 100% of their crowdfunding target with support from at least 25 unique supporters.
Full guidance, eligibility criteria and information on how to get started are available on the West Oxfordshire Crowdfund page. Read the full eligibility criteria: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/west-ox/eligibility
You can also browse current projects and make a donation to support local community initiatives.
Closed Grants
Community Services Investment Fund
West Oxfordshire District Council invited 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 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.
Applications closed on 16 September 2026. Applications are currently being assessed.
Witney Central Community Insight Fund
The Witney Central Community Insight Fund invited 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.
Applications closed on 5 October 2026. Applications are currently being assessed.
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: