Kim McGuinness has committed a further £1.5 million to the Mayor's Opportunity Fund for charities and grassroots organisations across the North East.
The fund will move to a rolling programme and offer grants of up to £7,500 for work supporting residents experiencing financial hardship.
Eligible projects may include food provision, community transport, digital inclusion, repair and reuse schemes, access to services and improvements to community spaces.
The next application round closes on 9 November, with decisions expected in December. Community Foundation North East will handle applications from Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, while Point North will cover County Durham.
The additional money builds on an initial £1 million programme. The first four rounds supported 107 organisations working on issues including isolation, household costs, skills and access to employment or education.
McGuinness said the expansion would help established community groups provide practical support. The £1.5 million is an addition to the earlier fund rather than a restatement of the original allocation.
