Firstly, please consider whether this is the right year to put forward your initiative/project for an award. Your entry may be a project that demonstrates outstanding innovation and best practice, or a managed improvement in your organisation which may help other charities overcome similar problems. In either case the judges always look for evidence of results, and if yours is a relatively new scheme, it may be better to wait until the outcomes of the project are clear.
If this is the year for you, please complete the entry form which can be downloaded here. It is designed to help you to describe how your initiative or project has improved the delivery of your charity’s mission.
Entry to the Charity Awards 2012 is free and entries are welcome from charities of any size based anywhere in the UK.
The closing date for entries is Friday 9 March 2012.
>>Download application for entry here<<
"Winning the overall prize at the last Charity Awards has had a huge impact at Mencap. When the sector is operating in a climate that is throwing up new uncertainties and challenges everyday, being rewarded for the important work we do provides much encouragement. Our experience, from entering to winning, was great and I’d encourage any charity with something good to say about itself to enter.”
David Congdon, head of campaigns and policy, Mencap
"We were thrilled to win one of the most prestigious accolades in the UK charity sector. Since winning the award, the profile of our organisation has been heightened locally, regionally and nationally through the subsequent press and media attention and acts as an additional motivator to all people involved in the project, helping us to help even more young people. I would urge anybody who is considering applying to the Charity Awards to go for it!"
Karen Edwards, chief executive, Bolton Lads and Girls Club
“Given our services are in the somewhat controversial field of working with those who commit the most horrendous of sexual offences, to be recognized so appreciatively for what we do through winning a Charity Award was a wonderful affirmation. The added ‘credibility’ and respect the award has contributed to our necessarily low profile work has gone a long way to reassure funders and policy-makers that the service is thoroughly worthy of their attention. Being part of the Charity Awards marked a key milestone in our progress.”
Stephen Hanvey, chief executive officer, Circles UK
"Winning the education and training category in 2011 has been a huge boost to our plans to expand the work over the coming years, providing additional validation for what we are achieving. We have also had a lot of positive feedback from those involved in the scheme... the recognition of their commitment to improving the opportunities for care leavers in education has been very motivating, particularly during such challenging times."
Gerri McAndrew, chief executive, Buttle UK
“Winning the Charity Awards 2011 for Advice, Support and Advocacy was a real boost of morale for those delivering our direct services… We believe that our funders past and current were encouraged by the depth of the due diligence carried out in connection with the award, providing them with the necessary comfort that their investment in Place2Be services was well placed.”
Benita Refson OBE, chief executive, The Place2Be
