Our story
Since its founding in 2013, Charity Mentors Oxfordshire has supported over 350 leaders of charities and community groups across Oxfordshire through pro bono, short-term strategic mentoring — helping them strengthen governance, clarify direction and build resilient, sustainable organisations.
How we started
Charity Mentors Oxfordshire began in 2013 as a mentoring initiative supported by a steering group under the auspices of our local community foundation, Oxfordshire Community Foundation. The first mentoring projects launched that same year, laying the foundations for the organisation we are today.
The idea grew from two simple but powerful observations:
Charity leaders often carry significant responsibility, frequently working in demanding and uncertain conditions.
There is strong goodwill towards the voluntary sector among experienced leaders in the commercial and public sectors who are keen to give back.
We saw an opportunity to connect these two worlds — pairing experienced senior leaders with charity chairs, CEOs and managers who would benefit from strategic support.
After refining our model and confirming demand for a high-quality mentoring service, we formally established ourselves as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2015, with our own independent Board of Trustees.
What we do
Our core service is short-term, focused mentoring — typically lasting four to six months — designed specifically for charity leaders. Each mentoring partnership centres on a defined strategic challenge that requires time, reflection and clear thinking.
Challenges we address
Leaders come to us with a wide range of issues, including:
Organisational resilience and long-term sustainability
Team and organisational structure
Trustee relationships and governance
Leadership development and confidence
Isolation, overwhelm, or loss of focus
Strategic planning and business planning
Exploring alternative service or income models
Stakeholder relationships
Managing growth and next-stage development
Change management
An external perspective or “sense check” on strategic thinking
At its heart, our mentoring provides something many charity leaders rarely get: space to think, clarity to decide, and confidence to lead.
