Charities making a lasting difference to communities in the Craven district are being urged to apply for grants of up to £10,000 from the charitable arm of the Craven Herald.

The Gannett Foundation, operated by the US company that owns the Herald, is inviting applications from registered charities that need cash for projects tackling issues in the district.

The projects could include education and neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

Last year’s recipients included Manorlands – the Sue Ryder hospice in Oxenhope which looks after patients from Craven and needs to raise £1.2 million to cover its annual costs.

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.

Decisions over the value of the funding will be made by the trustees and will be based on the evidence submitted. The foundation will favour projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility. The submission of copies of the charity’s most recent financial accounts are required.

In addition, any supporting material 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 at cravenherald.co.uk/foundation. Any group without internet access can contact Sue Bains on 01274 705228 to request an application form.

Completed applications should be returned to peter.orme@telegraph andargus.co.uk or by post to Peter Orme, Managing/Communities Editor, Telegraph & Argus, Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1JR, by Friday, September 27.

Any received after that date will not be considered and any applications which do not meet the criteria or which do not follow our rules and procedures will be rejected.