The Watford Observer 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, which publishes the Watford Observer and the St Albans Review.

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.

Last year’s round of grants saw the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted receive £9,100 for the refurbishment of its inpatient unit.

The unit is a specialist 24-hour service for up to 300 patients a year, offering the highest quality palliative care.

The hospice is at the heart of the local community and provides expert end-of-life care free of charge.

The grant has helped the hospice to update the unit to create ‘a comfortable, bright and welcoming space’ that patients can treat like home.

Recent grants also include £6,000 to Watford Mencap to purchase a Migloo (a changing suite for people with learning and mobility disabilities) and £9,828 to buy new beds for the inpatient unit at the Peace Hospice.

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.

For an application form, email kelly.pells@london.newsquest.co.uk

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

Please note we will only accept electronic applications.

The closing date for nominations for a Gannett grant is October 14 and there will be no extensions to this date.