Gannett Foundation

The Gannett Foundation supports local organizations in communities served by Gannett Co., Inc. Our community action grant priorities include education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment. Our average grant amount is in the $1,000 to $5,000 range.

How to Apply:
If your organization is located in a community in which Gannett does business, and your program serves primarily the local population, you may apply.

These general guidelines are designed to serve more than 100 Gannett-served communities. Each local operation establishes its own priorities, depending upon local needs, and may have additional guidelines and restrictions.

We consider grant applications twice a year. Please submit your proposal to Jeff Dudley, 13WMAZ President and General Manager, by the 15th of February and August to allow time for the local review process. (An application is available over on the right side of this page.)

A committee of employees reviews all proposals within one month after each deadline. Applicants are notified of final decisions about 90-120 days after deadlines. Please no phone or email inquiries.

Deadlines & Timeline:
Your proposal must contain the following information:
1) Completed Gannett Foundation Grant Application Form
2) IRS letter of determination for 501(c)3 tax exemption
3) One-page project budget, and an organizational budget
4) Project proposal of no more than five pages that includes:

• Needs statement
  • Objectives of the project to be funded
  • Whether the project is new or ongoing
  • Constituency to be served
  • Community and volunteer involvement
• Sustainability statement
  • Your organization's qualifications to carry out the project
  • How the project will be evaluated
  • Plans for continued funding of the project, if applicable
  • List of other funding sources, committed and applied for

5) Pertinent recent publications may also be included
What Community Action Grants do not fund:
Like many donors, we receive many more requests than we can fund. As a result, grants will not be considered for the following purposes:

• Individuals
• Private foundations
• Organizations not determined by the IRS to be a tax-exempt public charity under §501(c)(3)
• Organizations classified by the IRS as 509(a)(3)
• National or regional organizations unless their programs address specific local community needs
• Programs or initiatives where the primary purpose is the promotion of religious doctrine or tenets
• Elementary or secondary schools (except to provide special initiatives or programs not provided by regular school budgets)
• Political action or legislative advocacy groups
• Endowment funds
• Multiple-year pledge campaigns
• Medical or research organizations, including organizations funding single disease research
• Organizations located in or benefiting nations other than the US and its territories
• Fraternal groups, athletic teams, bands, volunteer firefighters or similar groups