Community Grants

The council provide grants to voluntary and community organisations to help build thriving communities and improve the quality of life for the residents of South Oxfordshire, through projects that; create thriving, healthy and inclusive communities, provides infrastructure that meets local need, and that take action on climate change and nature recovery.  

If you would like to stay up to date with our grants, external grant funding and training, council events or relevant news for community organisations, please sign up to our Community Grants newsletter. 

For information on our upcoming 2026/27 grants programme please download our timetable.

Please note that opening dates are provisional and subject to change.

Funding advice sessions

Are you thinking of applying to a South Oxfordshire District Council grant scheme? 

We understand that the grant application process can seem daunting and as a result, we are providing funding advice sessions where you can discuss your project(s) with a member of the team. 

• We can discuss various upcoming grants. 

• Eligibility criteria. 

• Which type of documents are accepted i.e. governing documents. 

• Which permissions will need to be in place i.e. planning permission. 

Officers from the community enablement team will be at: 

Thame Barns Centre, Church Road, Thame, OX9 3AJ for the Connecting Local Action event on Thursday 5 March, midday – 2.30pm.  

Cornerstone Arts Centre, for the Didcot Garden Town Community update meeting, on 18 March 2026 from 5 – 7.30pm. Appointments are available from 5pm until 7pm, please book to avoid disappointment.  How to get here 

South Oxfordshire District Council are also working in partnership with Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA), and Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) holding funding advice sessions at: 

• The District Community Centre, Great Western Park, on 15 April from 11am until 4pm 

• Holton Village Hall, on 6 May from 12.15pm until 6pm 

Places are limited, please complete our booking form for 15 April, or book the 6 May if you would like to attend. 

Whether you’re looking for guidance on eligibility and what you need in place before applying, or to give you pointers on writing a strong application or how to attract and manage volunteers, our Community Enablement team and partners from OCVA and OCF will be there to answer your questions. 

2025/26 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Grant Fund – now open

South Oxfordshire District Council collects CIL funding from liable housing developments to provide infrastructure required to support the growth of the district. Through this grant scheme, we’re helping local organisations to access funding to deliver infrastructure for their community required as a direct result from local growth.

Fund for nature recovery projects – now open

Everyone Active Grant Scheme – opening 30 March 2026

Do you have a project that could improve the health and wellbeing of our residents or provide high-quality active opportunities in one of our communities? We have a budget of £50,000 available annually for our voluntary sector who support communities to become more active and sustain activities.

Capital Grant Scheme – opening 1 June 2026

Are you a voluntary or community organisation looking for funding towards capital projects that help to build thriving communities and improve the quality of life for the residents in the district?

If so, we are keen to fund projects that; improve economic and community well-being, provide infrastructure that meets local need, that protect and restore our natural world; and take action on the climate emergency.

Performing Arts Grant Fund – opening 20 July 2026

Do you have a project that could enhance community wellbeing, foster mental, emotional and physical well-being through accessible performing arts initiatives that bring people together, or provide opportunities for diverse groups to participate in and access the performing arts, ensuring inclusivity across all demographics, including marginalised or underrepresented communities. There is a fund of £60,000 available in 2026/27.

South Climate Action Fund – opening 28 September 2026, further information coming soon

South Oxfordshire District Council’s Climate Action Fund is to support local projects that help to tackle climate change or help restore nature in our district. Whether you are already involved in a local group or simply looking to start taking climate action, we would love to hear from you.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Grant Fund – opening 15 February 2027

South Oxfordshire District Council collects CIL funding from liable housing developments to provide infrastructure required to support the growth of the district. Through this grant scheme, we’re helping local organisations to access funding to deliver infrastructure for their community required as a direct result from local growth.