Oxford Community Impact Fund Big Ideas Grant 2025-2028

Introduction

Oxford Community Impact Fund: Big Ideas Grant has allocated funding of £338,000 per year. Not for-profit organisations can apply for up to £35,000 per year for a maximum of three years. 

This form is for Big Ideas grants only. The form for small grants will be available on Monday 31 March at 15.00

Unsuccessful applicants may be able to apply for funding from our Small Grants - see more details on our website however, if you are successful with your Big Ideas grant, you will not be eligible to apply.

We are aware that the opening and closing dates for the Big Ideas and Small Grant Round 1 result in you having to apply for both. This is due to the timing of the budget and to avoid delays in funds reaching our communities. 

Briefing sessions

We will be holding three optional briefing sessions to go through the application form and to answer any questions you may have. These are on the following dates and times, and you can register via the date links below:

• Wednesday 12 March 11.00-12.00
• Monday 17 March 16.00-17.00
• Monday 17 March 19.00-20.00

Should you require an alternative way of receiving the information, please let us know by email at grants@oxford.gov.uk.

What we are looking to achieve

We are looking for this grant programme to help deliver the following key interconnected priorities, in line with the Council's Strategy:

• Criterion 1: Reducing inequalities in the city – score up to 60% 
• Criterion 2: Evidence of providing cash match funding of at least 70% – score up to 40% 

Criterion 1 gives you the opportunity to tell us what you will be focusing on and whether you wish to apply for core funding, project funding or capital funding or a combination. We want you to apply for what works best for you and your beneficiaries.   

Criterion 2 demonstrates that you can provide cash match funding of at least 70%

Your application will be assessed against the criteria above. We're most interested in the difference and impact you want to make. We intend our grants to deliver a wide programme of activity, catering for the needs of our diverse communities across the city. Ensuring the right balance across these will form part of the decision making process. We welcome joint bids.

Please refer to the FAQs on our website and email us at grants@oxford.gov.uk if you have any further questions. 

Important points about filling in this online form 

You must press the save form button, found at the bottom right of each page, before moving to another section

You can complete sections in any order that you wish, however you must complete all the required questions (these have a star * next to them)

You can save progress as you write your application and come back to it at your convenience

There is a Word version of this form on our website so you can: 

- See the whole form in one document before you start to complete it online 

- Share with partners and colleagues more easily 

- Start to draft your answers