CHARITABLE groups across South Lakeland, Furness, Eden, north Lancashire and North Yorkshire are being encouraged to apply for grants from the charitable arm of the company which owns this newspaper.

The money is being made available by the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, the parent company of Newsquest Media Group, whose titles include The Westmorland Gazette.

In the last ten years the Foundation has donated millions of pounds to charities and awards have included: £6,100 to The Bendrigg Trust, a residential activity centre specialising in high-quality courses for disabled and disadvantaged people, for a wheelchair swing and £3,020 for an interactive whiteboard to Sight Advice, which helps visually impaired people in South Lakeland.

In 2017 South Lakeland Carers received £5,615 to support and create opportunities for its network of 200 young carers, aged between five and 18, and The Rainbow Trust, which works with families with children that have life-threatening or terminal illnesses, was given £1,610 to create memory boxes containing shared moments between family members.

Awards are made to registered charities - they are usually for modest sums for practical projects, but awards to larger projects which deserve backing are considered.

The Foundation supports those registered charities with projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as neighbourhood improvements, local problem-solving, economic development, youth enterprise, sport and healthy living, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, care of the elderly, environmental conservation, and educational or cultural enrichment.

It values projects that bring lasting benefits to communities served by its local newspapers and websites.

The Trustees will NOT give money to general appeals; for salaries or general running costs; to political or religious organisations; or to state or privately run schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (other than hospices).

The Foundation will favour projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility. As a prerequisite, the submission of copies of the charity’s most recent financial accounts are required. In addition, any supporting materials and further details concerning the overall aims of the charity should be included with each submission.

Each nomination will be judged on its own merits at the absolute discretion of the trustees, whose decision is final.

Applications must be submitted electronically in pdf format on the approved application form.

Download it here:

GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2017.docx

Any applications which does not meet the criteria or which does not follow the rules and procedures will be rejected.

The completed form and supporting documents should be sent electronically via email to vicky.goodall@kendal.newsquest.co.uk. Applications must arrive by 5pm on Monday, October 9, 2017.

Anyone with queries should telephone 01539 790256 or 01539 790250.