Gannett Foundation applications open to Oxfordshire charities

HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds is once again up for grabs from the owners of Newsquest Oxfordshire.
The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co, Inc - owner of Newsquest Media Group (publisher of the Oxford Mail, Times, Bicester Advertiser, Witney Gazette and Herald Series). 
Each year, the Gannett Foundation provides funding to support local projects and organisations in areas where Newsquest operates. In the last 10 years alone, the Gannett Foundation has made grants in the UK alone totalling nearly £4 million.
Applications for this year’s round of funding are now open. 
Charities and good causes across Oxfordshire have benefited to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds over the last few years. 
Last year, four Oxfordshire causes were awarded funds. 
These included Dovecote Voluntary Parent Committee in Blackbird Leys, which received £8,645. 
Founded in 1996 by a group of parents, it provides a range of activities to improve the lives of children from deprived backgrounds or with special needs.
It used the money to buy all-weather Astro Turf for its outdoor play area, new equipment such as goal posts and a seesaw and new indoor toys such as board games and fancy dress costumes.
Carol Richards, children and families services manager at the Dovecote Centre, said: “The support of the Gannett Foundation is very much appreciated and valued.
“It is a great feeling to know we have the resources to provide children, young people and families living in Blackbird Leys with a more exciting and stimulating environment in which to have many hours of fun whilst learning and developing.
“A huge thank you to trustees for their valuable support; in such a challenging time for voluntary groups this means such a lot to the Children and Families project and huge pick-me-up.”
We particularly invite clearly reasoned applications asking for specific items of equipment or materials. Most of our applications are for relatively modest sums meeting everyday needs and that will be our special focus in 2019. 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 tangible and durable benefit, we will consider single events, performances or other projects of limited duration that otherwise meet our criteria.

HOW TO APPLY 

You can find the form to download on the link at the top of this article. 

Applications must be sent initially to the Editor of all the above titles, Samantha Harman, by no later than noon on Friday, October 18 2019. Please complete the questionnaire (available to download online) and return it electronically to samantha.harman@newsquest.co.uk, together with scanned electronic copies of any supporting documents. If you need more space to answer our questions, please attach a detailed proposal on no more than two pages.

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);
- Community Interest Companies that are not registered charities.
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.