The Daily Echo is looking for local charities to help with funds from its annual Gannett Foundation grants.

The annual grants are provided by The Gannett Foundation which 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 Southern Daily Echo 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.

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 below. 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 documents should be sent via email to Anne Dickie, PA to the Editor at anne.dickie@dailyecho.co.uk by 5pm on September 14. [ Submissions on paper will unfortunately not be accepted.)

Click the link below to download the application form.

GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2012.docx