Mayor Kim McGuinness is investing a further £1.5 million to 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 Mayor’s Opportunity Fund is delivered in partnership with Community Foundation North East and Point North.
Applicants based in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland should apply through Community Foundation North East https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/grants/the-mayors-opportunity-fund/
Applicants based in County Durham should apply through Point North https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/mayors-opportunity-fund/
The next round will close for applications on Monday 9 November.
Round One Grantees
The first round of grants from the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund saw more than a quarter of a million pounds awarded to 33 small charities and community groups.
Funding was targeted at organisations making a real difference in disadvantaged neighbourhoods by bringing people together and encouraging opportunity and resilience.
One successful project was ‘Seaham United’, which used a grant of almost £10,000 to breathe new life into Seaham Youth and Community Centre in County Durham.
Along with paying the wages of a youth and community worker, the £9,989 awarded was used to buy a new commercial oven and for the provision of 500 hot meals at 99p for young people and old people using the centre.
“The Mayor’s Opportunity Fund has been an absolute lifeline for us,” said Seaham Youth and Community Centre Coordinator Ethan Lowerson-Marshall.
“Seaham is a town that had three pits – Seaham, Dawdon, and Vane Tempest – and in the past it would have been assumed you’d grow up to work in the mines or in the coal mining community just like your mam and dad.
“But those opportunities aren’t there now, so for us to be able to provide the services we do for the community, be it luncheon clubs for the older residents or the support and guidance to help set our young people on the right track, is absolutely crucial.
“We could not have continued in our work or made plans for the future without the mayor’s support.”
Full list of round one grantees
- Alnwick Young People’s Group
- Barn at Easington
- Building Self Belief
- Bullion Community Centre
- Comfrey Project
- Easington Lane Community Access Point
- Fenham Association
- Ferryhill Residents Association
- Focus Easington
- Friends of the drop in (FODI)
- Full Circle Food Project
- International Community Organisation of Sunderland (ICOS)
- Jewish Council
- Kids Cabin
- Millin Charity
- NE diversity
- New Hope
- Northbourne Street
- Out NE
- Patchwork Project
- RT Community Project
- Sangini
- Seaham Youth Centre
- Sunderland Samba FC
- Sunniside Community Association
- Tyneside Women's Health
- Unfolding Theatre
- Welcome to Badminton
- West End Refugee Service
- West End Women and Girls
- Whitely Bay Big Local
- Workyticket
- Young Asian Voices