Powerhouse Grant-Giving

Grant Criteria & Annual Grant Theme

The Powerhouse Grants are given out annually and are under a theme.

The theme for grants in 2027 is Powered by Purpose: Local Action; Lasting Impact.

Over the last 9 months Powerhouse and The Didcot Community Forum have undertaken a Community Mapping, working with the community to identify the gaps and strengths in Greater Didcot and the surrounding villages.

Through this mapping the local community has identified gaps in local resources, and beneficiaries with priority needs. The Powerhouse Grants Panel will be guided by this community consultation.

A report from the Community Mapping can be read here.

The grant calendar for 2027 is below.

Find out more about the impact of grants awarded.

2027 Key Dates & Timings

Stage 1 - The Powerhouse Fund will open for Grant Applications on 1st December 2026 and close on 11th January 2027 at noon. To access the application, please visit the OCF website.

Application Workshop - To help you with your application, attend the Online Application Workshop on Wednesday 9th December 12.30 – 1.30pm. Our Chair, Elizabeth Paris, will walk you through the process, and answer your queries. This is a great opportunity, especially if it’s your first year of making an application. Please register here. If you can’t make this date, a recording will be available on the OCF page and you’ll receive the recording if you register.

Stage 2 - The Powerhouse grants panel will shortlist grant applicants and invite them to present their project to the Grants Panel. Unsuccessful and successful applicants will be notified.

Organisations invited to progress to the final round will be asked to provide more detailed information about the project and how they are going to measure success.

For applications for awards under £5,000, the Grants Panel may consider making an award without requiring a final round application.

Stage 3 - Successful grant applications will be notified by 19th March 2027. Grant funds will be paid to successful applicants on 31st March 2027.

Grant recipients provide regular progress updates, and their impact outcomes are highlighted in The Didcot Powerhouse Fund Annual Impact Report.

Geographic Area For Grants

Wider Didcot area has pockets of poverty that fall below the Oxfordshire average and, in some cases, place it in the lowest rankings inside the UK. Charities are already working hard on a levelling up agenda, but there are neighbourhoods where additional support is urgently needed.

The Didcot Powerhouse Fund aims to accelerate the levelling up process by streamlining corporate and community giving more effectively. We invite grant applications from charities and organisations providing support to Didcot and the local villages, particularly from those that are working closely with other charities and agencies. At least 90% of beneficiaries of any grant from the Fund must live inside the Didcot Garden Town Area of Influence, within the outer blue line on the map below.

The Didcot Powerhouse Fund tackles inequality and deprivation in Greater Didcot and the surrounding villages. Since its launch, Powerhouse, which is a donor advised fund, has raised over £300,000 for the Didcot community and each year it directs grant funding to different community organisations which are working hard to improve local lives.

Bids For Grants Should Meet The Fund Criteria

For full eligibility criteria please follow this link to the Powerhouse page on the Oxfordshire Community Fund website.

Powerhouse Grants Panel

Grants Panel members understand the variety of communities and diverse areas of need in the wider Didcot locality. Their role is to review initial Expressions of Interest through to compiling the successful grant shortlist, assisted by Oxfordshire Community Foundation.