Award winners

THESE EIGHT AWARD SCHEMES celebrate charities which make a big impact. Each scheme has different aims and ways of choosing its winners so it's a good idea to scan the descriptions below first.
AwardLocationCause


Third Sector’s Excellence Awards
  

Third Sector’s Excellence Awards


How do charities enter?
They apply for the awards themselves.
What are they judged on?
Their professionalism. Charities with big budgets don't necessarily win – they are judged on how they manage their money, not how much they have.
Who are the judges?
A panel of recognised independent experts from the charity world.
Who's behind it?
Third Sector magazine
 
Britain’s Most Admired Charity
  

Britain’s Most Admired Charity
How do charities enter?
They are nominated by readers of charity magazine Third Sector
What are they judged on?
"Good practice". The award reflects the charity world's admiration for a charity's overall contribution.
Who are the judges?
Readers make the first round of nominations. Chief executives of the 500 largest charities rank their top three choices from the first round. The winner is calculated from this ranking.
Who's behind it?
Third Sector magazine
 
Beacon Prize
Web link (PDF)

Beacon Prize
How do people enter?
Individuals are nominated by members of the public.
What are they judged on?
Awards are given to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the charity world.
Who are the judges?
The public make the first round of nominations. These are subject to a three-stage assessment process involving around 40 expert volunteers from the voluntary, business and media sectors.
Who's behind it?
The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust
 
The Charity Awards
Web link		  

The Charity Awards
How do charities enter?
They apply for the awards themselves.
What are they judged on?
The excellence of their management skills. They must demonstrate achievements in areas like planning, innovation and leadership.
Who are the judges?
A panel of recognised experts in the charities sector.
Who's behind it?
Plaza Publishing runs the show; the Charities Aid Foundation sponsors.
 
The Guardian Charity Awards
Web link		  

The Guardian Charity Awards
How do charities enter?
They are chosen by the judging panel.
What are they judged on?
Small charities are recognised for their innovative and pioneering work. The winners have made an impressive contribution to their community.
Who are the judges?
A panel of recognised experts in the field.
Who's behind it?
The Guardian
 
Helping Hand Awards/National Lottery Awards
Web link		  

Helping Hand Awards/ National Lottery Awards
How do charities enter?
The public nominates charities which have benefitted from Lottery grants.
What are they judged on?
The public benefit of their project.
Who are the judges?
A panel of expert and celebrity judges create shortlists for each category, and the public gets the final vote.
Who's behind it?
The National Lottery
 
UK Charity Times Awards
Web link		  

UK Charity Times Awards
How do charities enter?
The public nominates them.
What are they judged on?
Excellence in the management and co-ordination of charitable activities. A range of achievements are celebrated, from investment and fundraising to the use of technology.
Who are the judges?
A panel of leading figures in the UK charity sector.
Who's behind it?
CharityTimes magazine
 
Charities Online Accounts Awards
Web link		  

Charities Online Accounts Awards
How do charities enter?
Charities are entered in different categories (according to their size) by the Charities Aid Foundation's panel.
What are they judged on?
How transparent they are to donors. Charities are commended for having a clear annual report online, which helps potential donors to understand their financial situation. They are judged on their clarity, user-friendliness and accessibility.
Who are the judges?
The Charities Aid Foundation
Who's behind it?
The Charities Aid Foundation