The Gannett Foundation 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 Stourbridge News. 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 neighbourhood improvements, local problem-solving, economic development, youth enterprise, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, care of the elderly, environmental conservation, and educational or 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.

We entertain applications of any size or ambition, this year's theme is the elderly. Typically our grants are modest sums for practical projects, but we frequently award sums of £10,000 or more to larger projects which deserve our backing.

We are able to join with other contributors to support elements of larger projects, though we prefer to be in a position of making a donation which will fund a project entirely or which constitutes the final instalment to complete a project. Decisions about funding will be made by the trustees 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 here

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 must be sent electronically via email to roni.skye@midlands.newsquest.co.uk. Applications must arrive by 5pm on Friday, 2nd October 2015.