Jane Asher, awards judge and the president of the National Autistic Society, said: "When the country is going through tough economic times, inevitably the voluntary sector tends to be badly affected. Larger charities, while still needing all the support they can get, tend to have bigger financial reserves and more stable futures than smaller ones. I've always been particularly impressed by the Guardian Charity Awards for focusing on smaller, more vulnerable charities, and this year the influence of the awards will be more crucial than ever."
The awards highlight the work of small to medium-sized charities that have been operating for two or more years with an annual income of between £5,000 and £1.5million. Each winning charity will receive £6,000 prize money, a year's free membership to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, a tailored package from the FSI that includes mentoring, expert advice and training and a media package from the Media Trust.
This year's judging panel includes: David Brindle, public services editor, the Guardian; Jane Asher, president, National Autistic Society; Emma Harrison CBE, founding chair, the Foundation for Social Improvement; Caroline Diehl, chief executive, Media Trust; Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive, National Council for Voluntary Organisations; Baroness Valerie Howarth of Breckland OBE, chair and president, Livability; and Dame Suzi Leather, chair, Charity Commission.
To apply for the Guardian Charity Awards visit guardian.co.uk/charity-awards. The closing date for entries is Friday 15 July 2011.
