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.

NEW - Best Policy Initiative of the Year

This award celebrates the most impactful policy initiative aimed at creating meaningful change for communities and individuals.

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.

NEW - Best Sustainability Initiative of the Year

This award celebrates exceptional sustainability initiatives that demonstrate innovative approaches to environmental responsibility within the third sector.

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.

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 or Procurement Excellence

Awarded to a charity or finance / procurement team that has displayed exceptional excellence in financial and procurement practices. This could include, a groundbreaking finance or procurement project, innovative cost-saving initiatives, exceptional performance from a finance or procurement team.

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.

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.

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 of the Year

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

Charity Chief Executive of the Year

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 of the Year

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 of the Year

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 of the Year

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.