The Watford Observer is looking for a worthy cause which would benefit from a cash donation of up to £10,000.

Grants are being offered by the newspaper through The Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Gannett Co, Inc. owner of Newsquest Media group, which publishes regional newspapers, websites and magazines nationwide. 

In the past ten years, the foundation has made grants in the UK totalling more than £4 million. 

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

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

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, must not have received Gannett funding in the past two years and must be based or impact upon people living in the area covered by the Watford Observer. 

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). 

Projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility will be favoured. 
To apply for a Gannett Foundation grant from the Watford Observer visit www.watfordobserver.co.uk and click the Gannett link. The closing date for applications is Friday, September 12.