CHARITIES across Sussex are being invited to bid for funding from The Argus.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable wing of the paper’s parent company and provides grants to support local projects and organisations in areas where its papers operate.

In the last ten years the foundation has made almost £4 million grants across the UK.

Charities providing practical and creative projects which bring lasting benefits to communities and neighbourhoods are welcomed

These can include schemes for neighbourhood improvement and local problem-solving, economic development, youth development, education and cultural enrichment, care of the elderly or infirm, help for the disadvantaged or disabled, and environmental conservation.

Each year the foundation chooses a special theme and encourages relevant applications and for 2016 it is the needs of rural communities.

However equal consideration will be given to all other applications received that meet the general criteria.

One of the projects to benefit last year was the Chailey Heritage Foundation near Lewes, which cares for children and teenagers with disabilities and learning difficulties.

It was awarded £6,940 for an “eye-gaze” which allows people to control their computer by eye movement.

Application co-ordinator Elsa Gillio said: “We particularly invite clearly reasoned applications asking for specific items of equipment or materials.

“Most of our applications are for relatively modest sums meeting every-day needs, but we will consider worthwhile projects on a bigger scale.

“And we are also able to join with other contributors to support elements of more ambitious projects.

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

Applicants must be registered charities and not have received a grant from the foundation within the last two years.

Grants 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 objectives, state or privately run schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (other than hospices).

Applications need to be sent to elsa.gillio@theargus.co.uk no later than 5pm on October 14.

To download an application form: GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2016.docx.