Community groups in areas served by News-quest titles, including the South Wales Guardian, will share in a near £500,000 cash bonanza this year.

The money is available to worthy causes in the UK from the Gannett Foundation, which is sponsored entirely by News-quest's parent company, Gannett Co Inc.

This year's allocation will be distributed to community projects within the circulation area of Newsquest's 317 titles.

Newsquest publishes local and regional newspapers across the UK from Falmouth to Glasgow and Pembrokeshire to Essex.

All applications for grants are made through the local Newsquest title, with more than 170 groups benefiting last year.

The grants are allocated twice a year, in March and April, and again in December. It is left to each local newspaper to establish its own priorities, depending on local needs and following guidelines laid down by the Gannett Foundation.

The Foundation supports projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues, such as:

Education and neighbourhood improvements; Youth development; Cultural enrichment, and; Support for disadvantaged people.

Margaret Strayton, Newsquest's Group Editorial Manager and a trustee of the Gannett Foundation in the UK, said: "Priority is given to local community organisations for equipment or running costs of projects in the areas, help for homeless people, after-school activities for disadvantaged children, youth organisations and community safety initiatives.

"Like many donors, we receive many more requests than we can fund. But we do help where we can, to make a lasting difference to people in the communities we serve."

"Our newspapers cover every size of community. The very nature of our news gathering and reporting gives us a unique opportunity to encounter a broad spectrum of people who need a helping hand," said Margaret Strayton.

Reaching out to communities within communities and embracing our difference is the hallmark of the Gannett Foundation."

To obtain an application form and a copy of the criteria contact the South Wales Guardian, 37 Quay Street, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, SA18 3BS or email emma.evans@gwent-wales.co.uk or call 01269 592074.

The deadline for applications is March 17, 2005. No applications received after this date will be considered.