Community groups and charities in Cornwall are once again able to apply for funding of up to £10,000 for ongoing or future projects.

The Gannett Foundation grant scheme is open for applications, which must be submitted by September 12.

The Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, the parent company of Newsquest Media Group, one of the UK's largest publishers and owners of Packet Newspapers.

It provides funding to registered charities in the areas where it operates local newspapers and websites - including in Falmouth, Helston, Redruth, Truro and Penzance and the surrounding areas.

It supports registered charities with projects that take a creative approach to issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, local problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

Of particular value are projects that bring lasting benefits to communities served by its newspapers and websites.

While preference may be given to ideas which create a durable legacy for the community, it will consider single events or projects of limited duration that otherwise meet our criteria.

Applications of any size or ambition can be made, although typically grants are given to substantial projects that require and merit awards of between £5,000 and £10,000.

It will consider much more modest applications as well, but it actively encourages adventurous projects on a larger scale.

Organisations such as hospices are eligible to make a bid, with a previous exclusion on uniformed groups also dropped - meaning Scouts, Brownies, Guides and other similar groups are also free to apply.

The Gannett Foundation is able to join with other contributors to support elements of larger projects, although it prefers to be in a position of making a donation which will fund a project entirely or which constitutes the final instalment to complete a project. Decisions on the value of the funding will be made by the trustees and based on the evidence submitted.

The Foundation will favour projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility. As a prerequisite, copies of the charity's most recent financial accounts must be submitted.

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.

Applications must be submitted on the approved application form, which can be downloaded here http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/gannett_grants/.

Any applications which do not meet the criteria or which do not follow Gannett's rules and procedures will be rejected.

The completed form and supporting document should be sent via email to paul.armstrong@packetseries.co.uk by 5pm on Friday, September 12.

Submissions on paper will not be accepted.