THE THIRD SECTOR AWARDS ARE BACK FOR 2024!

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This prestigious event celebrates the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations operating in the third sector, recognising their tireless efforts and transformative impact. At the heart of our awards lies a profound belief in the power of collective action and the immense value that the third sector brings to our communities.

 Join us in recognising those dedicated to tackling social issues and shaping a better future for communities in the UK and beyond.


⬇ Join our brilliant alumni 

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE THIRD SECTOR AWARDS

CATEGORIES


Excellence Awards

Are you doing something new, something bold or something different? If so, the following categories will allow you to showcase your endeavours and successes. You don't necessarily need to be doing something groundbreaking; instead it may be new to you, new to the sector or a new way of tackling an age-old problem.

The judges will use the following category specific criteria to judge these categories, so please ensure you cover all questions within your entry.

Best Charity film - Small

Awarded to a charity and/or agency that has produced the most inspiring awareness raising or fundraising film of the year. The film should be no more than five minutes in length. Examples could include direct response TV ads or online supporter engagement campaigns.

Best Charity Film - Medium

Awarded to a charity and/or agency that has produced the most inspiring awareness raising or fundraising film of the year. The film should be no more than five minutes in length. Examples could include direct response TV ads or online supporter engagement campaigns.

Best Charity Film - Large

Awarded to a charity and/or agency that has produced the most inspiring awareness raising or fundraising film of the year. The film should be no more than five minutes in length. Examples could include direct response TV ads or online supporter engagement campaigns.

Best Service Delivery Innovation

Awarded to a charity that delivered a unique and effective service innovation in the face of urgent need from its service users, such as in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

Best Use of Social Media

Awarded to a charity or charity organisation that creatively used social media to tell a story about its work, raise awareness of a campaign, or even combat negative attention. The judges will be looking for imaginative use of content that sets the organisation apart from the rest.

Big Impact Award

Awarded to a project that has had a substantial impact on national or international life.

Brand Development

For the best new, changed or evolved brand. This can range from a totally new identity, the merging of two or more organisations, logo changes or an on-going evolution of an existing brand.

Breakthrough of the Year

This award is an opportunity to showcase something new or different. Areas could include supporter and/or donor engagement, extending the reach of the charity or introducing a new way of working.

Financial Excellence Award

Awarded to a charity or finance team that has displayed exceptional financial excellence. This could include, for example, a groundbreaking finance project or financial innovation, remarkable performance from a charity's finance team or even a radical new way of presenting the charity's financial information.

Communications Agency of the Year

Awarded to an agency that has helped to create a highly successful communications campaign for its client, or provided an exceptional level of support and advice.

Communications Campaign of the Year

Awarded to a charity for a highly successful, innovation or inspiring communications campaign.

Digital Innovation of the Year

Awarded to a charity or social enterprise that is pushing the boundaries of digital technology to reach supporters, donors, or beneficiaries.

Finance Excellence

Awarded to a charity or finance team that has displayed exceptional financial excellence. This could include, for example, a groundbreaking finance project or financial innovation, remarkable performance from a charity's finance team or even a radical new way of presenting the charity's financial information.

Fundraising Campaign

Awarded to an innovative fundraising campaign that achieved or exceeded its target.

Marketing Campaign of the Year

Awarded to the best charity marketing campaign of the year. Examples might include the successful marketing of an organisation’s products, services or membership programmes, or the use of affinity marketing.

Small Charity, Big Achiever

Awarded to an organisation with an income of less than £500,000 a year that has made a significant impact with its work.

Small Charity of the Year

This prestigious award will go to the charity or voluntary sector organisation that has had a truly exceptional year and whose recent achievements have attracted the admiration of the sector. Please explain in no more than 1,000 words why you believe the organisation should win the award.

Medium Charity of the Year

This prestigious award will go to the charity or voluntary sector organisation that has had a truly exceptional year and whose recent achievements have attracted the admiration of the sector. Please explain in no more than 1,000 words why you believe the organisation should win the award.

Large Charity of the Year

This prestigious award will go to the charity or voluntary sector organisation that has had a truly exceptional year and whose recent achievements have attracted the admiration of the sector. Please explain in no more than 1,000 words why you believe the organisation should win the award.

Partnership Awards

Awarded to a partnership between two or more charities that has enabled the partners to more effectively deliver services to beneficiaries, reach new groups or reduce costs. This could also be a partnership between a charity and a social enterprise, or a not-for-profit campaigning group.

Charity Partnership of the Year

Awarded to a partnership between two or more charities that has enabled the partners to more effectively deliver services to beneficiaries, reach new groups or reduce costs. This could also be a partnership between a charity and a social enterprise, or a not-for-profit campaigning group.

Corporate Partnership of the Year

Awarded to a partnership between a charity, social enterprise or other kind of voluntary organisation and a business that has brought strong mutual benefits to both.

Talent Awards

These awards aim to recognise the talent that drives the sector forward. So if you are an organisation that has great employees, teams or individuals that are making a real contribution to your cause, be that as a paid employee or a volunteer, then the following are where you should be showcasing and celebrating this talent.

Celebrity Charity Champion

Awarded to a celebrity who has shown genuine and productive support for his or her chosen charity or charities.

Charity Chief Executive

Awarded to the chief executive who has made an outstanding contribution to his or her organisation, or the wider sector over the past year.

Charity Chair of the Year

Awarded to the chair of trustees who has made an outstanding contribution to the charity over the past year.

Communications Team of the Year

Awarded to the communications team that has worked effectively together to raise awareness of a particular campaign or the charity’s overall work.

Frontline Team of the Year

Awarded to a team working on the front line of a charity cause area that has delivered an exceptional service and gone the extra mile to support beneficiaries.

Fundraising Team of the Year

Awarded to a fundraising team that has worked effectively together to achieve or exceed its fundraising targets.

Rising Chief Executive

Awarded to the chief executive who has made an outstanding contribution to his or her organisation, or the wider sector, during their first two years in post.

Rising Star

This award honours the emerging new talents. We are looking for people who have demonstrated exceptional skill and ambition and whose personal endeavours have begun to make their mark. We welcome entries from the individuals themselves or nominations from peers, company leaders and clients.

Unsung Hero

This award celebrates an individual who makes a difference to the lives of others and not always recognised.

Volunteer of the Year

Awarded to the volunteer who has displayed the greatest commitment and achievement to a charity or voluntary sector organisation over the past year

Volunteer Team of the Year

Awarded to the volunteer team that has had a significant impact on a charity or good cause over the past year.

SMALL & MICRO CHARITIES


Small and micro charities make up the majority of the third sector landscape, and most local and BAME-led charities fall within this group. At Third Sector, we want to celebrate the vital work of these organisations and individuals, and we recognise that an awards entry fee can be a barrier to access.

Ahead of the 2024 Third Sector Awards, in partnership with Ansvar, we are offering a batch of 15 free entries to the Talent Awards to charities with an annual income of less than £100,000.

Eligible organisations can register their interest in entering, and the category they would like to submit an entry to. Following the registration deadline, entries will be randomly allocated to interested applicants.

Ahead of the judging days, entrants will be invited to a free awards workshop in April, where they will be given practical advice and guidance on submitting a winning entry from Emily Burt, Editor or Third Sector and this year's Chair Judge.

If you are a small or micro charity interested in entering the 2024 Third Sector Awards, register your interest for the scheme by Wednesday 27 March 

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Emily Burt - Editor, Third Sector

"The Third Sector Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of charities and the invaluable contributions of those who work for them.
In times of volatility it is never more important to recognise the difference that the voluntary sector makes to our society. We look forward to celebrating with you later this year."

CHAIR OF JUDGES

Dr. Lasith Ranasinghe: Founder, Make a Medic

YOU BE THE JUDGE


The Third Sector Awards matter because they are judged by the toughest critics, your peers. Our expert judging panels will consist of numerous industry professionals representing the full breadth of the industry. The judges are selected based on their expertise, experience and integrity and we pride ourselves on our rigorous and objective judging process.

Nominations to get involved are welcome from across the sectors, either for yourself or a colleague using the link below. The final judging panel will be comprised of an inclusive range of individuals to fully represent the industry. Our aim is to give as many diverse voices (women, BAME, LGBTQ+, different ages / seniority, people with disabilities) a chance to determine the results of this industry-leading event.

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Haymarket | Venue policy

All attendees are kindly advised that Haymarket Media Group and the Royal Lancaster Hotel will not tolerate drug or alcohol misuse at our events.

The venue operates a strict no illegal substance policy and any person found to be in possession or using such substances will be immediately ejected from the venue and the Metropolitan Police may also be called to attend.