CHARITIES in Bolton are being encouraged to apply for grants from the parent company of The Bolton News.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett, which owns the Bolton News’ publisher, Newsquest Media Group.

In the past 10 years alone, the foundation has made grants in the UK totalling nearly £4 million.

Many charities across the borough have benefited from the grant, including the Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme (BYPHS), which was awarded £9,920.

The money went towards providing beds for the young people who the Bolton charity help get off the streets and on the road to rebuilding their lives.

Another charity to benefit in the past was Newstalk — an organisation which provides a recorded weekly bulletin from The Bolton News to blind or partially sighted people.

The charity received £9,600 which paid for a new computer system, 350 memory sticks and speakers.

We are looking for 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 under £10,000 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 the criteria.

Each year we choose a special theme and encourage relevant applications.

We will favour projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility.

Dowload the application form by clicking here GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2017.docx

It should be sent via email to lisa.schofield@nqnw.co.uk

Submissions via the post are not encouraged, but if unavoidable, they must be sent to The Bolton News, The Wellsprings, Victoria Square, Bolton BL1 1AR.

The closing date for submissions is October 9. Applicants must be registered charities and must not have received a grant from Gannett within the last two years.

The grants will not fund salaries, professional fees or day-to-day running or maintenance costs, general appeals as opposed to specific projects or projects that do not bring benefits to our local communities, or that have political or religious objectives.

Not eligible are state or privately run schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (other than hospices).