ALMOST £300,000 is up for grabs, thanks to the owners of the Evening Press.

Our parent company has set aside the money for groups that help disabled or disadvantaged people in areas served by Newsquest newspapers, such as the Evening Press.

The money has been put up by the Gannett Foundation - an arm of Newsquest's US-based parent company. They have $500,000, or roughly £290,000, to give away and want to hear from registered charities who feel they should be considered.

The foundation supports projects which take a creative approach to issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, community problem solving, helping disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

But please note there are some causes to which grants cannot be awarded.

Money will not be given to:

Individuals

Organisations which are not registered charities

National or regional bodies, unless the project addresses specific local needs

Promotion of religious causes

Endowment funds

General appeals, or multi-year campaigns

Medical or research organisations

Animal charities.

Money will also not be given to fund salaries, or general running costs.

The foundation puts up money twice each year, in spring and autumn. In the last round of grants York Cemetery Trust was given money to buy a new wheelchair and electric scooter, to help disabled visitors to the cemetery. A new notice board showing access routes for disabled visitors was also funded.

Group trustee Angela Johnson said at the time: "We've had people who in the past have asked if we had this facility, and we've had to say no. This enables us to open access to all members of the community."

Harrogate-based charity, Disability Action Yorkshire was also given money to buy tools.

Grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 are available, although larger grants will be considered for exceptional projects.

Applications must be sent to the Evening Press. Forms and details are available from Sky Ferrey at the Evening Press in Walmgate, York, phone 01904 653051 or email sky.ferrey@ycp.co.uk

The deadline for applications is April 18.

Charity 'delighted' with £2,000 award

ONE of the organisations to benefit from a Gannett Foundation grant was York Cemetery Trust, which was awarded £2,000 last year.

The trust, a charity which manages the burial ground, spent the money on a new wheelchair and electric scooter, for elderly, infirm or disabled people to get about the site. The new machinery was intended so users could visit graves more easily or take part in the community activities offered by the trust.

Trustee Angela Johnson said the equipment was now available and being used. She said she was "delighted" the charity had received the money, which made the site accessible to all members of the community.

"The York Trust is a charity," she said.

"Without the help of grants such as this - this kind of facility wouldn't have been possible."

As well as running the burial ground, the trust is also responsible for maintaining and developing the site as an urban nature reserve, encouraging wildlife to the area.

From spring to autumn, it runs a programme of weekly wildlife walks, and also organises cultural activities, including art exhibitions, poetry readings and an annual carol concert.

Updated: 09:55 Tuesday, March 14, 2006