The Bucks Free Press is on the lookout for a special project to support with a cash donation.

Grants are being offered by the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the owner of Newsquest Media group, who publish the Bucks Free Press and the South Bucks Star.

The foundation provides funding to support local projects and organisations in areas where Newsquest operates throughout the UK.

In the past 10 years, the foundation has given more than £4 million worth of grants in the UK.

The foundation values projects that bring lasting benefits to the communities and neighbourhoods served by our newspapers.

That includes schemes for neighbourhood improvement and local problem-solving, economic development, youth development, education and cultural creativity, help for the disadvantaged or disabled and environmental conservation.

Typically our grants are made for substantial projects which require and merit awards of between £5,000 and £10,000.

Skidz and South Bucks Hospice

A recent round of grants saw Skidz – The Wycombe Motor Project, which offers training in road skills and vehicle maintenance for young people, often from deprived backgrounds – receive £3,500 to buy a hydraulic vehicle lift to give more young people the chance to work on vehicles in its workshop.

South Bucks Hospice were also awarded a whopping £20,445 grant to pay for a new van to transport goods between its shops and warehouse.

The following year an award of £5,000 was given to the Chilterns Citizens Advice Bureau to help furnish its new office.

How to apply

The foundation will consider more modest applications, but it encourages imaginative and ambitious projects on a bigger scale.

The foundation can join with other contributors to support elements of larger projects.

While preference may be given to ideas which create a durable legacy for the community, the foundation will consider single events or projects of limited duration that otherwise meet the criteria.

Prospective applicants must be registered charities, and must not have received Gannett funding in the past two years.

The foundation 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 local communities; Political or religious organisations; 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.

To apply for a Gannett Foundation grant from this office the charity must be served by the Bucks Free Press, the South Bucks Star or the Marlow Free Press.

Applications can be requested from kelly.pells@london.newsquest.co.uk and must be submitted on the official application form and scanned in and sent to the same address.

Please note we will only accept electronic applications.

The closing date for nominations for a Gannett grant is October 16 and there will be no extensions to this date.