North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has announced a further £1.5 million investment in her Mayor's Opportunity Fund, building on the success of the first four rounds which have supported 107 grassroots organisations delivering life-changing projects across the North East.
Since launching, the first £1 million of the fund has backed trusted local organisations tackling the challenges communities have told the Mayor matter most, from loneliness and isolation to financial hardship and access to opportunities.
Projects funded so far have supported families through the cost-of-living crisis, improved digital skills, helped older people stay connected, strengthened community cohesion and helped residents access work, education and essential services.
Now Mayor Kim is increasing investment and changing how the fund operates, with a new rolling programme offering grants of up to £7,500 to charities and grassroots organisations supporting residents experiencing financial hardship.
Funding will help reduce household costs, improve access to services and opportunities, and support projects including food provision, community transport, digital inclusion, repair and reuse schemes, and improvements to community spaces.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "From tackling loneliness and helping families through the cost-of-living crisis to supporting people into work, the Mayor's Opportunity Fund has shown what can be achieved when you back the organisations that know their communities best.
"Over the last four rounds we've supported 107 charities and grassroots groups delivering practical help and changing lives in every part of the North East.
"That's why I'm investing a further £1.5 million. I want to help even more local organisations provide the support people need, put more money back into people's pockets and make sure nobody is left behind."
The impact of the fund can already be seen across the region.
In Walker, Wor Hoose Community Project has helped residents reduce every day outgoings with the provision of food, toiletries, meal kits, lunch clubs and community meals, while Teams & Bensham Community Care strengthened lunch clubs tackling loneliness among older people in Gateshead.
More recently, Teesdale Community Resources received funding to provide transport support to tackle isolation for vulnerable residents in rural communities, whilst Escape Family Support will be expanding their community shop in Ashington to provide affordable clothing, household items and essential goods to those facing financial hardship.
The Mayor's Opportunity Fund will continue to be delivered in partnership with Community Foundation North East and Point North Community Foundation, helping ensure funding reaches trusted organisations supporting communities across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham.
Rob Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Community Foundation North East said: “Community Foundation North East is delighted to continue our partnership with Mayor Kim McGuinnes and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority on the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund. Together we’ve been able to fund 107 organisations to support communities across the region. This announcement of a further £1.5million to continue to tackle the impact of the cost-of-living as we head into winter will be hugely welcomed. We look forward to getting this funding out and seeing and sharing the difference it makes”
Michelle Cooper, CEO at Point North said: “We’re delighted to be delivering Phase 2 of the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund. The first phase showed just how vital this funding is to grassroots organisations across County Durham and the wider North East.
“At a time when households are struggling with the cost of living and charities are being asked to do more with less, it’s imperative that we support organisations holding our communities together. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and getting to work. Until those barriers are removed, we’re proud to deliver a fund that steps up to support local organisations making a real difference to people’s lives.”
Applications submitted by 9th November will be considered for funding in December. For more information on how to apply please visit: Point North for County Durham based organisations, and the Community Foundation North East for those based in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear.
Find out more about the Mayor's Opportunity Fund and how to apply.