CHARITIES and other good causes are being encouraged to apply for a Gannett Foundation grant.

During the past 10 years the foundation has made grants of over £4 million with several groups in Bolton winning handouts.

Gannett is the owner of Newsquest Media Group — which publishes the Bolton News and the foundation is its charity arm.

The Gannett Foundation supports projects which take a creative approach to issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, local problem solving, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

A spokesperson for the foundation said: “We value projects that bring lasting benefits to communities served by Newsquest newspapers.

“While preference may be given to ideas which create a durable legacy for the community, we will consider single events or projects of limited duration that otherwise meet our criteria.

“Typically our grants are made for substantial projects which require and merit awards of between £5,000 and £10,000. We will of course also entertain more modest applications, but we actively encourage imaginative and ambitious projects on a bigger scale.”

One charity to have benefited from a Gannett Foundation grant is Newstalk — an organisation which provides a recorded weekly bulletin from The Bolton News to blind or partially sighted people — or who have a temporary disability that makes it hard for them to read the newspaper.

The charity received £9,600 which paid for a new computer system, 350 memory sticks and speakers.

The foundation favours projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility.

Applicants must submit copies of their most recent accounts (where required by the charities commission) or other appropriate financial information — along with any other supporting materials and details of the organisation’s managing committee.

You can download an application form here: GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2013 V1.docx or here, for older versions of Microsoft Word: GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2013 V1.doc

Or contact Lisa Schofield, The Bolton News, The Wellsprings, Civic Centre, Bolton, BL1 1AR, by email at lisa.schofield@nqnw. co.uk or call 01204 537239.

All applications have to be submitted on the official form and should be sent to the above address by September 9.