Grant aid to inspiring community projects is once again being offered by the charitable arm of the publishers of the Gazette & Herald.

Over the last ten years, the Gannett Foundation has presented more than £4million of grants to deserving causes in communities all over the UK.

In the Gazette’s circulation area the North Wiltshire Motor Neurone Disease Association received £4,500 to buy six electric wheelchairs and the Marlborough branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association got £1,000 for games and gymkhana equipment.

Other local good causes to get help from the Gannett Foundation include the Majorwrecks, the Devizes male majorettes; Devizes Hospital and Community Radio, the recycling charity Refurbiz and Chippenham Women’s Refuge.

A spokesman for the foundation said: “We value 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.”

While all organisations will be considered, each year there is a theme. For 2014 hospices are being encouraged to apply. Although hospices receive about a third of their funding from the NHS, they remain very reliant on charitable donations.

All applicants must be registered charities and the foundation will not consider any that have received a grant from them in the past two years.

Grants will not be given to fund salaries and running costs, appeals as opposed to specific projects, or to promote political or religious groups.

Projects must also bring benefits to the community, schools or hospitals.

Each nomination will be judged on its merits. The trustees’ decision is final.

Click this link for a copy of the application form: GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2014 V1.pdf

Applications with supporting documents should be sent via email to phoward@swindonadvertiser.co.uk by 5pm on September 12.

Paper submissions must be sent to Pauline Howard, Gazette & Herald Gannett Fund, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BE.