Oglesby Charitable Trust will invest £150,000 over five years to help develop creative projects in Manchester.
SICK! Productions will use the funding on a 10-year programme addressing mental health, social inequities, end of life care, disability and gender - topics it says have become ever more relevant amid the impact of coronavirus on communities.
Projects will be co-developed with locals and a programme of international commissions will bring artists into Manchester to work with communities in Moston and Harpurhey.
SICK! Productions Creative Producer Steve Vickers said he wanted to shine a light on the areas, which are not normally considered hubs of artistry.
"There’s a pool of talent here that can be drawn on to become a part of Manchester’s cultural offer... Our job is to highlight this with a genuine long-term commitment.”
The trust's commitment is expected to leverage another £700,000 over the project's lifetime.