The Guardian Charity Awards launch for 2010

The Guardian Charity awards, in association with the Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI), have launched for 2010.  The awards highlight the work of UK based, small to medium sized charities that focus on social welfare and have been operating for two or more years with an annual income of between £5,000 and £1.5million.  These charities must demonstrate a high level of excellence in what they achieve and that they are an invaluable source of support to their communities.

David Brindle, public services editor, the Guardian, said: “Smaller charities are too often overshadowed by the big players. The Guardian Charity Awards seek to redress this. For 18 years, they have showcased excellence among small and medium-sized charities, giving a much-needed boost to organisations struggling to get profile and funding to enable them to move forward. To the big players, the message is simple: you cannot win, because you cannot enter.”

The judging panel will include: David Brindle; Sarah Brown, president, PiggyBankKids; Jane Asher, president of the National Autistic Society; Emma Harrison, chairman of trustees, the Foundation for Social Improvement; Caroline Diehl, chief executive of Media Trust; Stuart Etherington, chief executive of National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO); Baroness Valerie Howarth, chair and president of Livability, and vice patron of Childline; and Dame Suzi Leather, chair, Charity Commission.

Each charity that wins will receive: £6,000 prize money, one year free membership to NCVO, a tailored package from the FSI that includes mentoring, expert advice and training and a media package, including support from their community of journalists, from Media Trust.

To apply for the Guardian Charity Awards please visit www.guardian.co.uk/charityawards . The closing date for entries is Friday 16th July 2010.