About us
What is the Powerhouse Fund?
The Didcot Powerhouse Fund tackles inequality and deprivation in Greater Didcot and the surrounding villages.
The Didcot Powerhouse Fund is enabling donors, from companies to individuals, to make a significant change in the lives of neighbours in their local community.
Each year, it directs these donations as grant funding to support community organisations and charities who are working hard to improve the quality of local lives.
Additional financial and practical help is needed, and Didcot Powerhouse directs grants to community organisations that are working hard to improve local lives.
Our goal is that by 2032, ten years from its first grants, Powerhouse will demonstrably have improved community life in Greater Didcot and the surrounding villages.
Who will benefit from the fund?
Annually, Powerhouse invites applications from organisations providing support to Didcot and the wider local community.
At least 90% of beneficiaries of Powerhouse grants live within the Didcot Garden Town Area of Influence. This has a population of 46,000.
Funding enables community support organisations to help people and families thrive, through access to a range of services.
Change Achieved
Discernible change has been achieved already because:
Our grant making draws on deep local knowledge of need.
We don’t just fund, we focus on how best to convert those funds to impact.
We keep in touch with projects to monitor progress, often adding additional support or connections.
How is the fund managed?
Decisions on grants are taken by an appointed Grants Panel, together with Oxfordshire Community Foundation to ensure that awards will achieve the greatest impact. The panel is comprised of people who know the area well and who are committed to supporting the community across education, health, housing, youth and communities.
A separate Advisory Group manages the day-to-day running of The Didcot Powerhouse Fund.
Patron of The Didcot Powerhouse Fund
Lord Vaizey of Didcot is our patron. He is pictured here in October 2021 when he ran the Virgin Money London Marathon, raising £20,837 inclusive of Gift Aid, an incredible achievement.
Please see a short video from Ed here.
