Grant News
Grants of up to £10,000 are available for community groups working to improve the lives of older people in County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
The Community Foundation North East and Point North are partnering with the North East Combined Authority to run the third round of the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund.
This round will invest £225,000 in small charities and community groups delivering age-friendly community projects that support people aged 65 and over to remain independent and active for longer.
Applications must show how the funded work will benefit older people. Examples include:
- projects led by older people
- digital inclusion and digital literacy
- initiatives to address or alleviate fuel poverty
- community transport
- environmental/outdoor activities
- work that enables better outcomes for women, and people from diverse backgrounds
- reducing social isolation and improving mental health
- intergenerational projects
- projects focusing on better outcomes at end of life, including bereavement
- dementia-focused projects
Priority will be given to organisations:
- working in the most socially and economically disadvantaged parts of the NECA region, including isolated rural areas
- whose activity will benefit women, those with disabilities and/or people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds
The funding will support core and project costs, and the continuation or expansion of existing activities or new areas of work. Successful applicants will be able to spend their grant over a 12-month period. The average grant size is expected to be £7,500.
Organisations with an annual income under £500,000 are eligible to apply.
The deadline for applications is the 27th February 2026.
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