THE Isle of Wight County Press has just become one of the Newsquest family of newspapers, and one benefit for Islanders is a chance for good causes to bag some cash for worthwhile projects.
Through the Gannett Foundattion, which 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.
In the last ten years alone, the Gannett Foundation has made grants in the UK alone totalling nearly £4 million.
The foundation values practical and creative projects that bring lasting benefits to the communities and neighbourhoods served by Newsquest 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. The foundation particularly invite clearly reasoned applications asking for specific items of equipment or materials.
Most of the applications are for relatively modest sums meeting every-day needs, but worthwhile projects on a bigger scale will be considered. It is 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, &am p;lt;br> The foundation will consider single events or projects of limited duration that otherwise meet our criteria. 

 
Restrictions:
• Applicants must be registered charities
• Applicants must not have received a grant from us within the last two years
• The foundation will NOT fund:
1) Salaries, professional fees or day-to-day running or maintenance costs
2) General appeals as opposed to specific projects
3) Projects that do not bring benefits to the local community
4) Political or religious objectives
5) State or privately run schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (other than hospices)

It 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 editor of the County Press, 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.

The following are just some typical examples of the grants we made in 2016 all over the UK:
• £4,730 for greenhouses and tools at a community garden in Bradford;
• £4,000 to refurbish the kitchen at Chideock village hall in Dorset;
• £5,740 bought medical equipment for the Alexander Devine Children's Hospice in Berkshire;
• £3,080 supporting motorcycle and carpentry projects for youth in South London;
• £6,170 to supply hot home meals for the sick and elderly in North London;
• £5,530 for tumble dryers and other equipment at homeless shelters in Lancashire;
• £4,410 for community sports in Hampshire;
• £6,600 paid for theatrical equipment for a community hall in South Wales.

Please download the application form (as a Word Document) here: tinyurl.com/IWCP-GFAF and return it to editor@iwcp.co.uk, or collect a copy from the Isle of Wight County Press offices, Brannon House, 123 Pyle Street, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 1ST. The closing date for entries is October 9, 2017.
The foundation will not accept applications that are not made using this form.