The train operator awarded £500 grants to 21 community groups and projects across the North of England.
The grants were awarded following nominations by Northern’s 7,000 employees.
The funds will support ongoing activities in the chosen projects.
In County Durham the beneficiaries were Activity Den in Tanfield Lea and Stanley, Dad Social North East in Durham, Pelton Youth Project in Chester-Le-Street, and the Youth Practitioner Service across County Durham.
Carolyn Watson, director of stakeholder and community engagement at Northern, said: “These grants were all about supporting local causes across the North of England.
“And who better to advise us on the groups and projects that can really make a difference than our own employees, who live and work right across the length and breadth of our network.
“Worth a combined £10,000, these grants will help small, local groups deliver work in their communities that will have a real impact.”
In addition to the £500 grants, individual project grants were also awarded.
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This is not the first time Northern has supported community projects.
In September 2024, the train operator awarded £100,000 from its Customer & Community Improvement Fund to eleven community projects working to improve social mobility across its network.
Other groups in the North East and North Yorkshire who benefited are: Encephalitis International in Newcastle; Hygiene Bank in York; Positility in Harrogate and Walbottle Village Primary School in Newcastle.