If you’re the leader of a charity working in the field of community, environment, welfare or youth in the North or Midlands of England, or Wales, you can apply to be part of our next cohort of Weston Charity Awards Winners. The Weston Charity Awards will be giving up to 22 Awards in 2023 so you have an even greater chance of being an Award winner.
But why would you bother? Here are the top seven reasons why you should…
1. They’re targeted to your area
The Awards are set up specifically to support organisations in the Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East and the North West of England and Wales. Although your Pilotlight meetings will happen through a mix of virtual and in-person meetings in London, we work with charities from across those areas.
2. It is totally free
We’re no paid consultancy firm or for-profit company. Both Pilotlight and the Garfield Weston Foundation exist solely to help charities have a greater impact, and we will never ask for any fees. Your time to come to meetings and work to move the project along are the only things required of you.
3. Applying is quick and easy
By answering these straightforward questions you could be on your way to following in the footsteps of our previous winners: What does your organisation do? What are your main services and who are your beneficiaries? What impact do you have on those beneficiaries? What challenges or opportunities are you looking for help with? What do you hope to change by taking part in the Awards? Not only is it straightforward and free, but…
4. Your travel expenses are covered – with a bit of extra cash to help you along
The Awards are a killer combo of quality mentoring and unrestricted funding to make sure it sticks. All winners will get £6,500 to support you in getting the most out of the work you do.
5. Not only will the Award make your organisation stronger, it will help you feel more confident and in control
"On top of a very tangible legacy left by the programme – a new five-year business plan, including a new mission, social objectives, business objectives and narrative – I feel more confident now."
Those are the words of Simone Spray, Chief Exec of 42nd Street and a 2016 Weston Charity Award winner. Meanwhile, a whopping 93% of CEOs say six months after working with us through Pilotlight 360, the programme has had a major positive impact on the effectiveness of the senior management team.
6. You will get access to four brilliant senior business leaders to coach you
It’s not every day you have decades’ worth of strategic experience sitting round a room to support your charity. They are there with no vested interest and no ulterior motive: they love making a difference – and you’ll be surprised at the difference you can make to them. What’s more, with a dedicated Project Manager by your side for the whole year, everything is taken care of and you and your team can focus on having the best possible impact in the time given.
7. Even if you’ve applied before you can apply again!
Yes, you read that right. Each year Garfield Weston can only give out a limited number of Awards, so just because you’ve not been successful in the past it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth applying again. The application form is so easy you have nothing to lose.
So… what are you waiting for? Take a look at the website and make sure you're eligible and fill in our application form before 6 January 2023, and you could be a winner.
