Language is Everything, the Howden-based interpreting and translation specialists, have launched a £10,000 annual fund for community projects in Howden, Snaith and Goole.

The company, which was formerly known as EITI, has been a long-standing supporter of local organisations. It is, for example, just coming to the end of three years as the official sponsor of Goole AFC, a period that has seen the football club be promoted to the UniBond league and launch an ambitious educational programme for children.

According to Carolyn Burgess, the chief executive of Language is Everything, the new £10,000 annual fund will improve the way company works with the community.

"Previously, we've tended to look at projects in isolation and given a bit here and a bit there," she says. "The aim of this new fund is to go about things in a more coherent - and more effective - way. We've set out five criteria that projects will have to meet in order to receive money from the fund.

"Firstly, it's got to be local: broadly speaking, we're looking at the Howden/Goole/Snaith area.

"Secondly, it has to be something related to education, culture or sport. In our experience, these are the areas that can benefit most from private sector support.

"Next, it has to be a project or event that will have a lasting impact on the lives of local people. One of the reasons we were attracted to Goole AFC was that we were excited about the club's long-term vision for the town.

"Fourthly, we looking for measurable results. What exactly will the funding achieve?

"Finally, how can the project be linked with our company? Looking again at Goole AFC, we ran a series of 'football and languages workshops' for local schools - obviously, this tied in extremely well with our core business, which is interpreting and translation."

Language is Everything has already allocated part of the £10,000 fund for the year-ended 31st December 2007. Any local organisation that would like to apply for funds should apply in writing to The Language is Everything Community Fund, EITI House, Bridgegate DN14 7AE, or to community@languageiseverything.com.