COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING & CAMPAIGNING

Annual report

For the annual report or review that best communicates the organisation’s mission, operations and achievements

• How did you present your organisation’s achievements in the annual report?
• What format did you choose and why? For example, print, CD or website.
• Who was the report aimed at and how did it meet their needs?
• How much did you spend on the report?
• What was the evidence of the report’s success? For example, user feedback or number of copies requested

Please upload, post or provide a website link to the report

Brand development

For the best new, changed or evolved brand

• Why did you change your brand?
• How did you make the change? Include details of the process and any consultations
• What was the budget?
• How does the new branding fit with the organisation’s mission?
• What was the evidence that the changes were beneficial?

Please upload or send examples of the new branding and what it replaced        

Communications campaign

For an innovative campaign that reached its target audience or got its message across

• What was the purpose of the campaign and who were the target audience?
• What media did you choose and why?
• What was the campaign message?
• How was the campaign structured? Please provide details of its stages, duration, etc.
• What was the evidence that the campaign was effective?

Please upload or send examples of the campaign materials

Communications team

For a team that has worked together to achieve or exceed its targets

• How big was the team and how was it structured?
• How are staff motivated and team spirit fostered?
• How do you go about a typical project? For example, weekly meetings, surveys or brainstorming.
• What were your targets and how were these achieved?
• What was the evidence of your success as a team?

Use of digital media

For the most innovative use of digital media

• What was the project and which media did you use? For example, text messages, podcasts, email or social networks
• Why did you choose these media and what were the benefits compared with non-digital media?
• What was the budget?
• What was the evidence that the project worked?

Please upload or send examples or provide links to relevant websites

Website

For the best new or relaunched website

• What is the website address and why did you decide the launch or relaunch it?
• What was the budget?
• Who is the target audience?
• How did you decide how to develop the site and who was involved in its development, including agencies?
• What special or innovative features does the site have?
• What makes it stand out from the crowd?
• What was the evidence of the site’s success? Please give full figures for the growth in traffic.

FUNDRAISING

Direct marketing campaign
Sponsored by BT 

Awarded to the direct marketing campaign that best combines innovation and fundraising success

• What was the campaign?
• What was distinctive about the campaign and its approach?
• What was your target and did you reach it?
• How much did the campaign cost?
• What was the evidence that the campaign worked?

Please upload or send examples of campaign materials

Fundraising event
Sponsored by BT  

Awarded to an innovative fundraising event that has achieved or exceeded its targets

• What was the event and what was new or different about it?
• Where did the idea come from and why did you adopt it?
• How was the event organised? Who was involved and why?
• What was the fundraising target and how much did the event cost?
• How much did the event raise?
• Was other evidence was there of the event’s success?

Please upload or send supporting material, such as promotional literature or photos of the event

Fundraising team
Sponsored by BT  

Awarded to a fundraising team that has worked together to achieve or exceed its target

• How big was the team and how is it structured?
• How were the staff motivated and team spirit fostered?
• How do you go about a typical project? For example, weekly meetings, surveys or brainstorming
• What were your targets and how were these achieved?
• What was the evidence of your success as a team?

Innovation in fundraising
Sponsored by BT  

For the fundraising initiative, excluding events and direct marketing, that has done the most to gain new donors, retain the support of existing donors or regain the support of lapsed donors

• What was the initiative?
• What was innovative about it?
• Where did the idea come from and how was it implemented?
• How much was spent on it and how much was raised?
• Were there any non-financial benefits for the charity from the work? Improved communications, for example.

FINANCE & ENTERPRISE

Financial management

Awarded to the voluntary organisation that has done the most to improve its financial management

• How did the finance team improve financial management in the organisation?
• What processes and procedures were used to support these changes?
• What action was taken to manage financial risks and promote financial stability?
• How did the finance team’s work influence the organisation’s activities more widely?
• What was the evidence of your success?

Enterprise

Awarded to the social enterprise or charity trading arm that has made a significant difference to the beneficiaries through its ability to generate income to meet its social goals

• What are the organisation’s business and social goals?
• How has the business model evolved since it began?
• How much income has been generated?
• How has the income been used to support your social goals?
• What other evidence of success was there? Give details of social impact, turnover, projected profits, etc.

PARTNERSHIPS

Charity partnership

Awarded to a partnership between two or more charities that has enabled the partners more effectively to deliver services, communicate, reach new groups or reduce costs

• Which organisations are involved and what were the costs of the partnership for the participants?
• Where did the idea come from and why did you decide to pursue it?
• What was the nature of the partnership and how was it managed?
• How has each of the partners benefited?
• What was the evidence of the partnership’s success?

Corporate partnership

Awarded to a partnership between a voluntary organisation and a business that has demonstrated strong mutual benefits for both

• Which organisations are involved and what were the aims of the partners?
• How did the partnership begin?
• What was the nature of the agreement? For example, use of branding or donations by staff
• How was the partnership managed?
• How have each of the partners benefited?

Public sector partnership

Awarded to a partnership between a voluntary organisation and a government department or agency or local authority. The relationship must be governed by a Compact

• What organisations were involved in the partnership?
• What was the purpose of the partnership?
• How did the partnership come about?
• What was the role of the Compact in the partnership? For example, was it used when drawing up agreements or resolving disagreements?
• What was the evidence that the partnership has benefited the participants, the community or other beneficiaries?

AT WORK

Best employer

Awarded to the voluntary organisation that makes the best use of its human resources policies to create a satisfied and productive workforce

• What was the size, structure and distribution of the workforce?
• How have you ensured that good HR practices are implemented effectively?
• What policies have you adopted to improve staff relations, morale and work-life balance?
• What staff benefits do you offer? For example, travel subsidies or gym membership
• How have you ensured your pay is fair? For example, by benchmarking
• What are your consultative arrangements? For example, staff surveys or consultations with unions
• What was the evidence of the success of your policies? For example, employee testimonials, staff turnover rate or staff survey results

Volunteer of the year
Sponsored by Markel 

Awarded to the volunteer who has, over time, shown the greatest commitment and achievement

• What is the volunteer’s name and background?
• How long has he or she been volunteering for your organisation?
• What kind of work has the volunteer done?
• What has been exceptional about the volunteer’s contribution?
• What benefits have others derived from the volunteer’s activities?
• What has the volunteer gained from his or her experience?

GOVERNANCE & FOUNDATIONS

Charity Chair of the Year
Sponsored by Ansvar 

Awarded to the chair of a charity’s trustees who has made the most outstanding contribution to the performance of the charity during the year.

• Who is the chair, and how long has he or she been on the trustee board?
• How and why was he or she recruited?
• What advantages has the chair brought to the charity? Examples might be relevant knowledge, organisational or people-management skills, public profile, or personal qualities.
• What is the evidence that the role played by the chair has benefited the charity either internally, or in its public-facing activities, or both?
• Who is the chair and how long has she or he been on the trustee board?

 Please include copies of any relevant material, such as charity publications or media coverage.

THIRD SECTOR AWARDS

The Luke FitzHerbert lifetime achievement award

Awarded to an individual who has shown sustained commitment both to individual voluntary organisations and to the sector in general during their career

Please note: no entries can be made for this award
 

Small charity, big achiever

Awarded to a small charity that has made a big impact with an innovative project or projects. Only charities with an annual income of up to £1m are eligible for this award

• What is the organisation and what does it do?
• What was the project, or projects, and who was involved?
• What was the budget and where did the funding come from?
• What benefits did the project deliver? For example, media coverage or having the idea taken up by a national charity or public sector organisation

The Third Sector big impact award

Awarded to a voluntary organisation that has run a project that has had a substantial impact on national or international life

• What was the project and why was it undertaken?
• How was the approach and how was it managed?
• Who was involved in the work and what was the budget?
• What positive impact did the project make on the wider stage? For example, a change to the law or government policy

The Excellence Awards overall winner

Thsi prestigious award will be presented to the entry that, in the opinion of the Third Sector team, is the year's overall winner. The winners of each of the categories will be automatically considered for this award.

Please note: no entries can be made for this award