Charities exist to make the world a better place and winning an award is a great way to prove it. Awards are a fantastic way for charities to gain new visibility in their field, increase publicity for the charity and garner prestige. It can help the charity reach out to more potential donors, volunteers, and supporters, which can lead to increased donations, more volunteers, and better fundraising campaigns.
Awards also provide recognition for the hard work of the charity’s staff and volunteers. This recognition can motivate them to continue their efforts in making a difference in society. Winning an award can also bring attention from the media which can help spread awareness about the cause of the charity.
It is important for charities to take advantage of awards as they provide an incredible opportunity for growth and success. The question is, how do you go about winning one?
What are the criteria?
First and foremost, you need to understand what the criteria are for the awards you are applying for. You need to demonstrate how your charity has achieved results in a measurable way, as well as how it has provided value to its beneficiaries. Furthermore, you need to showcase the impact of your work on the community or sector in which you operate. If you can supply facts and figures, as well as show the longevity of a cause, then so much the better.
By understanding what is required in order to win an award, charities can maximize their chances of success by focusing their efforts on activities and initiatives that distinguish them from their competitors. For instance, a charity that focuses on providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children may be able to differentiate itself by offering online tutoring or one-on-one mentoring sessions. You do need to be mindful of timing though. What you do to differentiate yourself needs to be unique and effective, but at the same time shouldn’t have become a standard offering from many other charities.
Good, dedicated staff
A charity can find an award that is relevant to their cause, submit a nomination with the support of information on why they believe they deserve it and then wait for an award representative to contact them. It is important that charities also see awards as an opportunity rather than just another way of getting recognition. The most important thing is finding out how the award can help them achieve more success in their fundraising endeavours and build momentum toward achieving success in all aspects of their work.
As far as judging criteria goes, there will be a number of things they will be looking for. For example, how can you demonstrate that you care deeply about diversity and inclusion among both your users and your staff? Is your track record of accountability and transparency strong? Are you eager to collaborate with others? Do you have solid senior staff and trustees in position and are able to show that your organisation has consistency when it comes to quality?
Whilst you might not be able to excel in all areas, the more boxes you can tick, the better. And good luck with your application. 🙂
Maximize your chances of winning awards and create a lasting impact through powerful campaigns and brand elevation by reaching out to us today.
