GRANTS of up to £50,000 are now up for grabs as community groups and organisations are invited to apply for help to the Gannett Foundation.

The foundation is the charitable arm of this website, American parent company, Gannett Co. Inc, which publishes more than 300 newspapers nationwide, and supports worthy causes.

The foundation gives priority to long-term projects which will give lasting benefit to a large number of people in the local community.

Projects that will be favoured include those for people with special needs, either through disability or disadvantage, and sport, environment, conservation and local history projects.

Last year, north Kent charity the Parents Consortium received £5,000 toward the cost of a resource centre which offers respite for parents caring for disabled youngsters.

And Bromley Family Link, which provides social activities for children with physical or learning difficulties, received £1,600. The group spent the cash on sensory equipment and toys.

Grants are not given to individuals, organisations that are not registered charities, uniformed youth groups, promotion of religious causes, endowment funds, multi-year campaigns, medical or research organisations or animal charities.

Grants should be for specified items or purposes, with detailed costings, up to a maximum of £50,000.

Click here for full details on eligibility and how to apply

Applications within the News Shopper coverage area (south east London and north Kent), must be submitted on the official application form and sent to Carole Hoggan at News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT.

If you live within Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Greenwich and North Kent, you can also obtain an application form by emailing newsroom@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01689 885772.

The closing date for applications is Friday, September 3, 2010.