Mayor’s Opportunity Fund Round 2
Written by Aaron Kearney on 3 June 2025
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Mayor Kim McGuinness is launching the second round of her opportunity fund, investing £1m in creating opportunities for people living in some our most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
This round of funding will invest £225,000 in supporting community-led places and spaces that meet people’s basic day-to-day needs whilst also helping to create opportunity, improve skills, digital access and health outcomes, and reduce child poverty.
Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 are available for organisations rooted in or supporting residents in priority neighbourhoods as identified by the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON). Mayor Kim McGuinness is one of eight commissioners overseeing the work of ICON.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“This is about investing in the heart of our communities – the people and projects working every day to lift others up, tackle poverty, and provide real opportunity. We’re backing the kind of grassroots work that really changes lives by meeting local needs, revitalising villages, town centres and high streets and restoring pride in place. If you’re building opportunity in your community, I want to hear from you.”
The Mayor’s Opportunity Fund is delivered in partnership with Community Foundation North East and Point North.
Rob Williamson CEO of Community Foundation North East said:
“ We are delighted to be delivering this second round of The Mayors Opportunity Fund with colleagues at Point North. Community hubs are the essential lifeblood of towns, villages and neighbourhoods across the North East, providing spaces for people and services to come together. Strengthening community life is one of Community Foundation North East’s key impact areas, and this round of the Fund will help increase inclusion, build connections and provide vital support for people and places most affected by some of our area’s challenges.”
Michelle Cooper, CEO of Point North said:
"We’re thrilled to have worked with the North East Combined Authority on the first round of the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund. Many of the groups the Fund supports are on the forefront of addressing poverty and the consequences of poverty.
"For 30 years we've been making grants to communities in County Durham and the wider North East. By providing match funding for the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund, we are maximising the difference of every pound, making sure that we can make a difference to the most amount of people and that we can lay the groundwork for a stronger, brighter tomorrow for the North East."
Applicants based in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland should apply through Community Foundation North East www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/
Applicants based in County Durham should apply through Point North www.pointnorth.org.uk/grants/
The fund closes for applications on Monday 7 July at midnight.
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.
There will be two further rounds of the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund in 2026.
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