LOCAL charities may be eligible for a cash grant of up to £5,000 through the South Wales Argus.

Our American parent company, Gannett, has a charitable arm, the Gannett Foundation, which has already made substantial donations to local charities.

Last year Newport charity Nash (Newport Action for the Single Homeless) received £5,000 and Torfaen Puffins Asthmatic Swimming Club received £3,000 from the Gannett Foundation.

If your charity helps disadvantaged young people or the disabled, you may qualify for a grant.

Check the guidelines below to see if your organisation qualifies.

If it does, please contact Caroline Stock (01633 777201) at the Argus, who will send you an application form.

Please do not download an application form from the Gannett website, as it is not applicable in the UK.

Please answer every question on the form and send us a copy of your latest accounts or financial information.

The foundation gives priority to youth projects, particularly involving young people in development of the projects, and projects that benefit people with special needs either through disability or disadvantage.

Grants will not be given to individuals, organisations that are not registered charities; national or regional organisations, unless the project addresses specific local community needs; uniformed youth groups; as part contribution to a salary whether part or full time; promotion of religious causes; endowment funds; general appeals, general contribution to costs or multi-year campaigns; medical or research organisations and animal charities. Grants will be for £1,000 to £5,000 but larger grants may be made for exceptional projects.