Reading Chronicle: Gannett foundation banner

CHARITIES looking for cash to fund life-changing projects can now apply for a grant worth thousands of pounds.

Good causes across the county are invited to apply for a slice of funding worth up to £10,000 each, which is being given away by our parent company Gannett Media.

The scheme, part of the firm's charity arm Gannett Foundation, runs annually to support the community and has helped secure the future for many smaller charities since the late 1990s.

Money given out has gone to a wide variety of causes, including helping to relocate a charity providing “talking newspapers” to the blind, helping to reopen a community adventure playground and supporting the opening of a new café giving disabled youngsters work experience.

Dave King, editor-in-chief of Newsquest Berkshire, said: “This is a great chance for charities across the county to apply for extra funding in what is a financially difficult time.

"It is becoming increasingly hard for charities and community projects to secure extra funding and I would hope many take advantage of this opportunity.

“I am also very glad to see that the trustees have expanded its criteria to welcome more organisations, such as scouting or guiding groups, to apply.”

In the last 10 years alone, the Gannett Foundation has made grants in the UK alone totalling nearly £4 million.

Each year a special theme is chosen which this time is the needs of rural communities, although all applications that meet the general criteria will be given equal consideration.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply you must represent a registered charity or must not have received a grant from the foundation within the past two years.

Applications will only be accepted electronically on the approved application form with full answers and necessary materials given.

The closing date for applications is Friday, October 14, and forms can be found at: GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2016 (1).doc

All submissions must be in electronic PDF format on the standard application form which accompanies this note.  We will not accept submissions on paper submissions.

Send your completed application form to Anne Dickie at: anne.dickie@dailyecho.co.uk