ONCE again The Barry and District News is launching its annual offer of support to local charities through our parent company's Gannett Foundation.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co, Inc., owner of Newsquest Media Group, which publishes regional and local newspapers, websites and magazines across the UK.

The Gannett Foundation provides funding to support local projects and organisations in areas where Newsquest operates. The funds are managed by the Quartet Community Foundation.

Last year, the Intersensory club, which meets twice a week at Jenner Park, benefitted to the tune of £5,400. They used the money to purchase three specialist Tom-Cat tricycles.

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

We value practical and creative projects that bring lasting benefits to the communities and neighbourhoods served by our newspapers and online audience. That includes schemes for neighbourhood improvement and local problem-solving, economic development, youth development, education and cultural enrichment, care of the elderly or infirm, help for the disadvantaged or disabled, and environmental conservation.

We particularly invite clearly reasoned applications asking for specific items of equipment or materials.

Most of our applications are for relatively modest sums meeting every-day needs, but we will consider worthwhile projects on a bigger scale. And we are also able to join with other contributors to support elements of more ambitious projects. While preference will 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.

Each year we choose a special theme and encourage relevant applications. The needs of rural communities is the chosen theme for 2016.

But of course we will give equal consideration to all other applications we receive that meet our general criteria.

Restrictions:

• Applicants must be registered charities

• Applicants must not have received a grant from us within the last two years

• We will NOT fund:

- salaries, professional fees or day-to-day running or maintenance costs

- general appeals as opposed to specific projects

- projects that do not bring benefits to our local communities

- political or religious objectives

- state or privately run schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (other than hospices)

We will favour projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility. You must supply copies of your most recent accounts (where required by the Charities Commission) or other appropriate financial information, together with any supporting materials and details of your organisation’s managing committee. The grants will be monitored by the relevant local newspaper editor, and it will be a condition of each grant that the recipient must report back on it use to the Chairman of the Trustees within 12 months of the award.

Email completed application forms to alicia.duggan@gwent-wales.co.uk together with scanned electronic copies of supporting documents.

Alternatively, type or print clearly and put the form and documents in the post to our sister paper: the South Wales Argus, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP20 3QN. Completed forms must be received by 5pm on Friday October 14.