CHARITIES making a lasting difference to communities in the district are being urged to apply for grants from the charitable arm of the Keighley News.

The Gannett Foundation – which is operated by the US parent company of Newsquest Media Group, one of the UK's largest publishers and owner of the Keighley News – is inviting applications from registered charities which need cash for projects tackling issues across the district.

The fund supports registered charities with projects which take a creative approach to 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.

Typically, grants are given for substantial projects which require and merit awards of between £5,000 and £10,000 and, although preference may be given to ideas which create a durable legacy for their community, single events or projects of limited duration will also be considered.

Past recipients of grants have included Small World Cultural Arts Collective in Keighley, which was given £5,960, and Haworth Riding for the Disabled (RDA), which received £14,250 to create a state-of-the-art surface in its main roofed building.

"We were thrilled to receive the grant – the new surface made such a difference," said Haworth RDA founder, Mrs Jackie Butterfield.

The foundation will favour projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility, and the submission of copies of the charity's most recent financial accounts is required.

In addition, any supporting materials and further details concerning the overall aims of the charity should be included with each submission.

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

The grants will not be given to general appeals as opposed to specific projects, projects that do not bring benefits to local communities, projects with political or religious objectives, state or privately-run schools, other than special needs, or hospitals, other than hospices.

Funding can not be used to pay salaries, professional fees, or day-to-day running or maintenance costs.

The application forms and supporting document can be downloaded by logging on to keighleynews.co.uk/foundation.

Completed forms should be e-mailed to elaine.wilson@telegraphandargus.co.uk by 5pm on Friday, October 14.