Entries open for Step Change Fund in United Kingdom

The Step Change Fund supports Oxfordshire charities seeking long-term organisational transformation, offering £10,000–£50,000 for capacity building, strategic development and improved sustainability. Each grant includes a volunteer project manager who guides planning, delivery and measurable impact. The fund targets charities ready to evolve, strengthen operations and enhance outcomes for disadvantaged communities.

Overview

The Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) is accepting applications for the Step Change Fund, a specialist grant programme focused on strengthening the capacity, resilience and long-term sustainability of Oxfordshire charities. Instead of funding day-to-day services, the fund supports strategic projects that create measurable organisational transformation.

Purpose of the Step Change Fund

The fund aims to:

• Build stronger, more sustainable charities in Oxfordshire

• Support organisations tackling the county’s most urgent social problems

• Enable long-term stability through strategic upgrades

• Increase a charity’s capacity, efficiency, reach or financial resilience

Projects must demonstrate how the proposed change will significantly enhance impact and deepen service quality for disadvantaged communities.

What Makes This Fund Unique

A distinctive feature of the Step Change Fund is the inclusion of a volunteer project manager with every award. These individuals typically bring expertise in:

• Business strategy

• Change management

• Organisational development

• Governance and leadership

• Operational planning
  They help refine project goals, oversee implementation and ensure accountability—often creating long-lasting improvements in organisational culture and performance.

Funding Amount

• Grant size: £10,000–£50,000

• Funding cap: Up to 30% of the organisation’s annual income

• Project duration: Typically one year or more
  This structure supports thoughtful, strategic transformation rather than short-term fixes.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be a charity or non-profit organisation

• Have an annual income between £100,000 and £1 million

• Have operated for at least three years

• Serve beneficiaries primarily located in Oxfordshire

• Demonstrate strong governance and a clear strategic vision

Projects must clearly contribute to improving outcomes for people facing disadvantage in the county.

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

Projects must create a measurable “step change”, such as:

• Expanding organisational reach

• Increasing operational efficiency

• Strengthening financial sustainability

• Implementing new systems or delivery models

• Developing income-generation capability

• Upgrading governance or leadership structures

• Improving long-term resilience and strategic capacity

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Review Eligibility to ensure your organisation meets the income, location and operational criteria.

2. Identify the Step Change, focusing on long-term strategic improvements rather than service continuation.

3. Prepare a Strong Proposal detailing organisational need, expected outcomes, sustainability gains and impact on beneficiaries.

4. Demonstrate Governance Strength, including leadership commitment and clear project ownership.

5. Submit the Application through OCF’s official portal with all required documents.

6. Engage in Follow-Up Discussions if OCF requests clarification or adjustments.

7. Begin Work with the Assigned Project Manager upon approval, refining timelines and monitoring progress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing routine operational or service-delivery costs

• Lacking a clear organisational strategy or leadership buy-in

• Underestimating the need for capacity, systems or governance upgrades

• Submitting vague or unmeasurable outcomes

• Applying without a strong link to Oxfordshire beneficiaries

Why This Fund Matters

The Step Change Fund strengthens the backbone of Oxfordshire’s charitable sector by helping organisations:

• Become more resilient

• Improve efficiency

• Deliver higher-quality support to vulnerable groups

• Build long-term sustainability
  This investment ensures charities can meet growing social needs across the county.

FAQ

1. Does the fund support new or ongoing services?
No. It supports strategic organisational improvements, not routine service delivery.
2. How long can projects run?
Projects may run for one year or longer, depending on the scope of change.
3. Can small charities under £100,000 apply?
No. The income threshold is £100,000–£1 million.
4. Is the volunteer project manager optional?
No. A project manager is assigned to every funded project as part of the programme.
5. Can organisations outside Oxfordshire apply?
Only if the vast majority of beneficiaries are in Oxfordshire.
6. Does the fund require match funding?
Not required, but organisations must demonstrate financial stability.
7. What kinds of outcomes are expected?
Measurable organisational improvement—efficiency, reach, resilience or financial strength.

Conclusion

The Step Change Fund offers a powerful opportunity for Oxfordshire charities ready to evolve, strengthen capacity and significantly improve their long-term sustainability. With grant funding paired with expert project management support, organisations can build stronger foundations and deepen their impact across the communities that need it most.