Nominate an inspiring group, a worthy charity, even an unsung hero
Scotland’s biggest and most prestigious third sector awards are open for applications.
Organisers are calling on charities, voluntary groups and unsung heroes to put their names forward for recognition in what has become the country’s most acclaimed charity gongs.
Now in its 19th year, the Scottish Charity Awards, run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), are designed to celebrate the best of the voluntary sector and to highlight the organisations, inspiring people and innovative projects that have made a difference to the communities they support over the past year.
No matter the result, the night itself is always one of celebration, glitz and glamour and this year's awards, hosted by Sally Magnusson at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu on 19 June, promise to be the best yet.
Anna Fowlie, SCVO chief executive, said the awards are the highlight of the Scottish charity calendar and hard-pressed organisations, staff and individuals - often weighed down with financial worries and bureaucracy - should take time out to celebrate their successes and apply or nominate those they think worthy.
She added: “Previous finalists and winners have told us how special it is for them to be recognised on the national stage.
“Every year we develop the awards slightly to keep them relevant. For 2025 there will be three opportunities to win Charity of the Year to recognise the huge variation in size of our members and the wider sector.
“So, whether you're a wee grassroots organisation, run entirely by volunteers, a big multi-million pound charity or somewhere in between, there will be a space for you.
“Please don't be shy - nominate or enter for this year's awards."
This year, particular importance will be placed on voluntary organisations and people that reflect the diversity of Scotland’s essential voluntary sector.
All registered charities, social enterprises, campaigning groups, community interest companies and people who work and volunteer in these spaces are eligible to enter.
Last year saw the success of attempts to make the awards simpler and more accessible to as many people and organisations as possible.
This year, the Charity of the Year category has been refreshed to better reflect the make up of the voluntary sector, with three awards up for grabs for small, medium and large organisations.
There are eleven award categories at the Scottish Charity Awards. Seven recognise the achievements of organisations, and three recognise individuals. The 11th award, People’s Choice, is chosen by a public vote from the finalists in the other eight categories.
The award categories are Charity of the Year (turnover under £100k), Charity of the Year (turnover £100-500k), Charity of the Year (turnover over £500k), Trustee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Employee of the Year, Partnership of the Year, Campaign of the Year, Community Impact, and Climate Impact; with the winners to be decided by a panel of judges.
All finalists will also be entered into the running for the People’s Choice Award, giving members of the public a chance to vote for their favourite finalist to win. SCVO received an overwhelming response last year with hundreds of applications and over 16,500 votes cast for the People’s Choice Award, and hopes that even more organisations will be inspired to apply this year.
Harvey Carruthers (pictured), CEO Fife Young Carers, who won Scottish Charity of the Year 2024, said: “Throughout the year we have found that having received the award, the great strides that we know that the charity has made, have now been acknowledged by our beneficiaries, peers and supporters in a way that would be hard to achieve had we not achieved this recognition by SCVO."
Applications are open until 12 noon on 7 March 2025 and can be completed on the SCVO website.
