GrantRadar

Applications closed on 6 October 2026.

Many funders run the same grant every year, so check the funder’s site for a new round. The details below are what the funder published when it was open.

The City of Oxford Charity

Relief in Need Grants

One-off grants to Oxford residents facing hardship, from a charity whose origins date to 1700. They cover essential household items — a washing machine, a fridge, a bed, a dining table, crockery, curtains — or act as start-up grants for people moving into new accommodation or rebuilding after a crisis. Typical maximums are GBP 650 for a single person, GBP 800 for a single parent with children and GBP 900 for a two-parent family. Applications are almost always made by a support worker, and money is never paid to the applicant.

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You could get
Up to £900
Deadline
Closed
the deadline has passed
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Individuals who have been resident in the City of Oxford for at least three years before applying and who are experiencing financial need or hardship
  • The charity does not usually accept applications directly from applicants: while an individual may complete the form themselves, most applications are completed by a support worker from a local agency with personal knowledge of the applicant's circumstances
  • A supporting statement from a recognised third-party support worker who knows the applicant — an adviser from an appropriate agency such as Citizens Advice, a social worker, a health visitor, an advice centre, family centre or school — is required for the application to be considered
  • If more than the usual GBP 650 to GBP 900 limit is requested you must explain clearly how the remaining costs will be covered, and where multiple items are requested they should be prioritised by importance
  • Support workers must provide their organisation's bank details and a finance contact who can confirm receipt, oversee the purchase of the approved items and be able to provide proof of purchase; failure to buy the approved items may lead to refusal of future applications from that applicant and restrictions on the organisation involved

What it funds

One-off financial support for people experiencing hardship, covering specific essential items:

  • Appliances such as washing machines and fridges
  • Furniture such as a bed or a dining table
  • Essential household items such as crockery and curtains
  • Delivery and recycling costs for old appliances
  • Laptops or equipment for school children are also listed

Grants may also be used as start-up grants for families or individuals moving into new accommodation or making a fresh start after crisis.

What it will not fund

  • Expenses already incurred
  • Ongoing rent arrears — applicants are directed to seek formal debt advice, though a one-time payment may be considered where it would help maintain a tenancy after a temporary crisis
  • Ongoing or open-ended costs, such as regular transport expenses or long-term storage fees
  • Part-funding of a large purchase such as a fitted carpet, unless there is a plan in place for the remainder of the money needed

grants are never paid direct to applicants — payment goes to the supporting organisation or, where appropriate, to a third-party supplier such as Argos

How to apply

  1. Find a recognised support worker — an advice centre, family centre, school, Citizens Advice adviser, social worker or health visitor — who knows the applicant's circumstances
  2. Complete the charity's application form, downloadable from the Relief in Need grant information page, listing the items requested and prioritising them by importance
  3. Attach the support worker's letter or statement describing the applicant's finances, health, housing, family circumstances and employment in enough detail for the trustees to understand why the grant is needed
  4. Email the completed application to grants@oxfordcitycharity.org.uk, or post it to the Grants Manager, City of Oxford Charity, The Office, Stones Court, St Clements Street, Oxford OX4 1AP

the application must reach the charity on or before the published closing date to be reviewed at the corresponding trustee meeting

Have ready

  • The charity's completed Relief in Need application form
  • A supporting letter or statement from the support worker, covering the applicant's current situation including finances, health, housing, family circumstances and employment
  • Bank details for the supporting organisation, since grants are paid to it by BACS rather than to the applicant
  • Contact information for a colleague in the supporting organisation's finance department who can confirm receipt of funds

the supporting organisation must oversee the purchase of the approved items and be able to provide proof of purchase afterwards

Relief in Need Grants (closed) — The City of Oxford Charity — GrantRadar