Smaller community groups across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a £3.6 million fund from dormant assets.
The fund, which comes from dormant assets and bank accounts in the UK, will go to 25 network and anchor organisations.
An estimated 500 small community and under-represented groups across Northern Ireland are set to benefit.
Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland director of the National Lottery Community Fund which distributes dormant assets money in Northern Ireland, said it will boost invaluable work.
“The aim of dormant assets is to strengthen organisations by building their capacity and making them more fit for the future,” she said.
“We know that smaller community and volunteer-led organisations need the help of network or anchor organisations to do this, which is why we have made this investment to boost the invaluable work that they do.
“We are fortunate to have dormant assets to build the capacity, resilience and sustainability of the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.
“We will be engaging with the sector in the coming months about the next phase of dormant assets.”
Age NI has received a £149,380 grant to build the capacity of age sector networks to better support groups working with older people.
Its chief executive, Linda Robinson, said: “Age NI provides infrastructure support to age sector networks which, in turn, supports older people and groups in local communities across Northern Ireland.
“We are delighted to receive this much-needed funding from Dormant Assets NI to deliver our leadership and capacity building programme to emerging and existing age sector leaders.
“Through this programme, our aim is to develop skills and capabilities within the age sector, encourage partnership working and enhance the sustainability of the important work they do.”
Stormont Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald said she was pleased to meet with representatives from age sector networks to discuss the funding.
“Community and voluntary organisations play an important role in delivering vital services and providing support for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society, including older people,” she said.
“The funding being provided by the dormant asset fund, and being delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund and my department, will help to further grow capacity within the third sector and ensure 500 small community grassroot organisations can continue to provide practical support to people right across our communities.
“I was pleased to be able to meet with representatives from the age sector networks who will benefit from this funding and hear first-hand how the support from Age NI will make a difference to their groups.”
Dormant Assets NI funding comes from UK bank and building society accounts and other assets such as insurance and pensions that have been untouched for 15 or more years, where customers cannot be traced.