CALLING ALL CHARITIES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS

CHARITY groups across Wiltshire are being given the opportunity to apply for thousands of pounds worth of grants – thanks to the Wiltshire Times.

The Gannett Foundation Fund, which is the charitable arm of the Wiltshire Times' parent company Newsquest, traditionally supports non-profit making organisations and is now inviting applications for more grants of between £5,000 and £10,000.

Wiltshire Times: Last year, a £5,490 grant from the Gannett Foundation was handed to Splitz, to help pay for cookery courses run by the charity in its new community kitchen. Pictured are project co-ordinators Hazel Rutland and Sue Pearce, left

£5,490 grant from the Gannett Foundation was handed to Splitz, to help pay for cookery courses.

We are keen to hear from charities who take a creative approach to fundamental 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.

The Foundation also values projects that bring lasting benefits to the community. The deadline for applications is Friday, September 14.

Among the groups to receive a grant in the last round of funding in November was the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group.

They were given £3,480, which they were using to arrange a series of activity days for the families it supports.

Nicky Parker, chairman of the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Association, said she was thrilled when she heard the group’s application had been successful.

“It’s fantastic news. The days will give everybody involved the chance to do something they ordinarily would be unable to do,” she said.

“It’s a chance for the families to be involved, raise awareness and have a fun time.”

Other groups in the town that have received grants from the fund in the past are the the Swindon Children’s Scrapstore, North Wiltshire branch of MND, the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, Twigs, Prospect Hospice and Dial-a-Ride.

Wiltshire Times: Swindon Children’s Scrapstore celebrating the new van they got from Gannett

Swindon Scrapstore

All applicants must be registered charities and we will not consider anyone who has received a grant from us in the past two years. Grants will not be given to fund salaries and day-to-day running costs; to general appeals as opposed to specific projects; to promote political or religious organisations; projects that do not bring benefits to the local community; schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (except hospices).

Applications must be submitted on the approved application form, which can be downloaded here.

Any applications which do not meet our criteria or which do not follow our rules and procedures will be rejected. The completed form and supporting document should be sent via email to Pauline Howard at phoward@swindonadvertiser.co.uk by 5pm on Friday, September 14. Submissions on paper will not be accepted.

Wiltshire Times: Gannett grants on offer

ALL ABOUT GANNETT FOUNDATION

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc., the parent company of Newsquest Media Group, one of the UK's largest publishers and owners of the Swindon Advertiser. We provide funding to registered charities in the areas where we operate local newspapers and websites.

We support those registered charities with projects which take a creative approach to fundamental 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.

Wiltshire Times: Gannett grant pic new

A £2,800 grant form the Gannett Foundation helped the Monday Wednesday club in Trowbridge pay for day trips.

We value projects that bring lasting benefits to communities served by our local newspapers and websites. 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 also entertain more modest applications, but we actively encourage imaginative and ambitious projects on a bigger scale. We are also able to join with other contributors to support elements of larger projects, though we prefer to be in a position of making a final donation to complete a project. Decisions in respect of the value of the funding will be made by the trustees and based on the evidence submitted.

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 on the approved application form, which can be downloaded at www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk. Any applications which do not meet our criteria or which do not follow our rules and procedures will be rejected.

The completed form and supporting document should be sent via email to Pauline.howard@wiltshire.newsquest.co.uk by 5pm on 14th September 2012. All paperwork submitted must be on A4 and single-sided only.

Click here to download the Gannett Grant Application Form 2012