SMALL charities wanting to expand can now bid for funding from Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF), which is offering up to £75,000 to good causes across the county.

Applications are being taken for OCF’s Step Change Fund, which provides funding for infrastructure, expansion and related costs such as strategic planning, computer hardware or staff training.

The Agnes Smith Advice Centre in Blackbird Leys used £48,000 of funding from the pot last year to adapt its office space, while The Archway Foundation received £31,600 to increase the size of its befriending service.

OCF chief executive Jayne Woodley said: “The Step Change Fund is an integral part of OCF’s grant-making strategy.

“The generosity of the fund’s donors, panel members and project managers means that OCF is in a position to help make the charitable sector stronger and more effective, which is vital in addressing some of the unacceptable social problems we see right now on our doorstep.”

For more information or to apply visit oxfordshire.org/grants/step-change