THE Advertiser is looking to pump cash into good causes in the Ludlow and Tenbury areas.

We want local groups and organisations to benefit from the Gannett Foundation – the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, the parent company of Newsquest Media Group and owner of The Ludlow and Tenbury Wells Advertiser.

The foundation supports 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.

It values projects that bring lasting benefits to communities and while preference may be given to ideas which create a community legacy, trustees will consider single events or projects of limited duration.

This year trustees are particularly keen to receive applications from charities which work to support the elderly in our local communities.

Typically grants are modest sums for practical projects, but the trustees frequently award amounts of £10,000 or more to larger projects.

Last year our sister newspaper the Hereford Times awarded £12,180 to fit out a cluster of rooms at the new 20-bed inpatient unit at St Michael’s Hospice at Bartestree.

The trustees who decide on the successful applications will be looking for schemes that demonstrate good planning and financial responsibility and which offer lasting benefits for the communities.

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.

Each nomination will be judged on its own merits at the discretion of the trustees, whose decision is final.

Applications must be submitted on the approved application form which includes a list of criteria. It can be downloaded from The Advertiser website at www.ludlowadvertiser.co.uk/gf/

Closing date for applications is Friday, October 16 at 5pm and successful applications will be announced in The Advertiser in December.

Grant applications will only be accepted from registered charities and the completed form must be submitted electronically to editor Clive Joyce at clive.joyce@herefordtimes.com