Categories

Newcomer of the year

For a professional fundraiser who, in the last two years, has shown aptitude, ability and success beyond their experience.   

Nominees may be of any age but should have been employed in a fundraising role for less than three years.  They can work within a variety of settings including a charity, community interest company, or agency. 

Entries should describe how the nominee has had a major impact on the organisation for which they work. Examples which the judges expect to see include:  

• Significant fundraising success  
• Successful fundraising volunteer management  
• Demonstration of good teamwork capabilities  
• Leadership skills  
• Approach to fundraising in an innovative way  
• The engagement of people or communities with no previous connection to the charity  
• The successful nominee should show potential for management roles in the future  

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.

Outstanding Contribution to Fundraising

Fundraising Charity of the Year

For any charity that, through teamwork, has achieved considerable and recognisable fundraising success.   

For any charity that, through the nature of teamwork, has achieved considerable and recognisable fundraising success in respect of an activity, or series of activities, which took place in whole or part during 1 January 2024 and  31 July 2025.

This category will be divided, and 2 winners will be awarded; Fundraising Charity of the Year – Small and Fundraising Charity of the Year – Large. For this Award, a small charity is defined as voluntary or community organisation with an annual income of less than £1 million. 

Entries should include some or all of the following information:  

• The outputs achieved by the charity that merit recognition. Tell the ‘story’ behind the success  
• The reasons that lie behind the success  
• The steps that have been taken to ensure that this success can be replicated year on year  
• What the charity has learned from the experience  
• What impact the fundraising activity has had on the charity or beneficiaries  
• How has the charity approached fundraising in an innovative way  

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.

Charity-Business Relationship of the Year

For the best relationship between a charity and a business that provides mutual benefit to both parties.   

This may be a local or national relationship or partnership and may cover a specific project or be a ‘charity of the year’ campaign which took place in whole or part during 1 January 2024 and 31 July 2025.

Shortlisted entries will be able to demonstrate how the charity’s values have been integrated into the business throughout the duration of the relationship.  

Judging will focus on the following areas:  

• Campaign objectives  
• Mutual benefit - Why was this relationship particularly suitable for both parties? What were the mutual benefits?  
• Innovation – How was this relationship innovative or ground-breaking 
•  Forecasting - How was success intended to be measured? What was the projected income and impact?  
• Results – What were the actual results? If they were different from projections, please elaborate.  
• Impact – What was the overall impact of the relationship?  

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.

Young Fundraiser of the Year (aged 15 or under)

For an individual or group of children who, by their hard work, dedication and example, have made a notable difference to the charity or charities for which they have fundraised for.  

Nominated entrants must be 15 or under as of 31st December 2024.  

Entries should be made either by the charity for whom the young fundraiser has raised money for or by an adult connected to the young fundraiser. They cannot be made by the nominee. Please note that guardian/parental consent must be made before making this nomination.   

Successful entries should include some or all of the following information:  

• The background story in respect of the nominee’s work for the charity  
• The length of time that the young fundraiser has been involved with the organisation  
• The nature and extent of the fundraising undertaken  
• The significance and difference this fundraising has made to the organisation or a particular community  
• The ways in which this contribution has already been recognised by any other body or agency  
• Innovative methods / approach to fundraising   
• Ways in which the young fundraiser has been an inspiration to others  

Judges' insight:

"We're really looking for young people who have been motivated to do the fundraising themselves, taken the initiative themselves and really made a significant difference not just in income but also other ways."  

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.

Legacy and In-Memory Campaign of the Year

For the campaign which demonstrates innovation linked to success in the use of legacy and in-memory fundraising and took place in whole or part during 1 January 2024 and 31 July 2025.

Successful entries will demonstrate that the values of the charity were reflected in the marketing of the campaign. This may be for a particularly innovative legacy campaign or a successful first-time legacy attempt.  

 Judging will focus on the following areas:  

• Campaign objectives  
• Rationale – Why was a legacy- campaign appropriate?  
• Success - How did you measure success?  
• Target audience – How did you select the audience for this campaign and why?  
• Method – what platforms were used and why?   
• Creativity – How did you ensure that your campaign stood out from the crowd and/or grabbed the attention of the intended recipient?  
• Innovation – How was this campaign innovative or ground-breaking for the charity?  

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.

Best Supplier to the Fundraising Sector of the Year

For a company that works within the fundraising sector and has demonstrated a true commitment to improving the fundraising capacities of the charities that it supports.   

Entries may be made by any company that works within the charity sector and of which at least 50% of its clients are not-for-profit.  

Entries may be made by the organisation itself or on its behalf by any interested parties.  

Successful entries will be from companies that can demonstrate a long history of going the extra mile and ensuring that their charity clients get exceptional value for money. 

Successful entries should include some or all of the following information:  

• Details of the organisation’s history of involvement in the charity sector
• Demonstrate how they have given consistent excellence and significant results in fundraising
• How there has been a significant increase in the charity’s fundraising performance over a period of time as a result of the nominee’s involvement
• A testimonial from at least one recent client
• Demonstrate true value for money and return on investment
• Show the development of new or innovative fields of fundraising work

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.

Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year

For any individual or group who has made a major contribution to fundraising, over a significant period, for one or more organisations without remuneration.  

This Award is for someone, or a team of people, who by their hard work, dedication and example have made a difference to the charity or charities for which they have worked on a voluntary basis.  

Entries can be made either by the charity for whom the volunteer has worked or by the volunteer themselves.  

Successful entries should include some or all of the following information:  

• The background story in respect of the nominee’s work for the charity  
• The length of time that the volunteer has been involved with the organisation  
• The nature and extent of the fundraising undertaken  
• The significance and difference this fundraising has made to the organisation or a particular community  
• The ways in which this contribution has already been recognised by any other body or agency  
• Innovative approach to fundraising  
• Ways in which the volunteer has been an inspiration to others  

Judges' insight:

"Important to demonstrate impact on the charity/ community beyond just income raised or number of years volunteering."  

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.

Fundraising Campaign of the year

This Award will recognise an outstanding fundraising campaign that the judges think deserves the merit of being the best of the year and took place in whole or part during 1 January 2024 and 31 July 2025.

The judges will be open to submissions that are multi-channel or discipline specific. It could, for example, be an individual giving, legacy or digital campaign or focus on fundraising for a specific audience. It will clearly demonstrate excellence, creativity, and innovation and closer connect supporters with beneficiaries. 

• Objectives –What were the objectives of the campaign and how it was carried out? Include details of any agency used or size of in-house resources devoted to this campaign.  
• Rationale – What medium(s) was used and why?  
• Forecasting – How was success intended to be measured? What were the positive outcomes and impact? How did it compare to budget?  
• Audience – Did the campaign target existing or a new audience. How did the campaign fit with the overall mission of the charity?  
• Innovation – How was the campaign innovative or ground-breaking for the charity  

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.

Fundraising Innovation Award

This Award is for a charity that has challenged the status quo and had the courage to try a different or revolutionary approach to drive fundraising success.  Taking place in whole or in part between 1 January 2024 and 31 July 2025, your work may demonstrate the use of new or ground-breaking ideas, new technology or the use of previously untested strategies to grow your income. 

The judges will be looking for you to demonstrate a level of innovation or new ground for your organisation that is in one of the following areas of fundraising: event fundraising, public fundraising, mass engagement, supporter experience, face to face or community fundraising. 

You will need to include:

• A list of the campaign objectives
• How was success intended to be measured
• What non-financial results were achieved
• How was this type of fundraising innovative or ground-breaking for your charity 
• What was the impact and outcome of the innovation​

Please note: each question box has a maximum count of 3000 characters, which is approximately 300 words.