‘If you win, it can have a transformational impact’ – looking back on a charity awards win 10 years on

10 years ago submissions for the first Charity Governance Award (CGA) for Improving Impact opened. NPC has been delighted to support this award in the last decade.

As we approach the final awards this year, I got in touch with two previous winners to see what difference the prize – and the prize money – had made to them.

Lana Wright, Robert Thomson Charities, 2016 winner

Can you summarise what your organisation does?

We’re a small charity, who work in a village, owning and running a village hall and 8 alms houses. Our objectives are to help people in need, reduce poverty in the area and provide the village hall as a community hub for both education and entertainment.

What motivated you to apply for the Inspiring Impact award in 2015?

The backdrop to applying for the 2015 Charity Governance Awards (CGA) was the ongoing development and renovation of their village hall during that time. It was in a conservation area, and in a small village with quite a few policies and procedures.

During this process, the board – which is made up of local people, the Chair, and particularly the Clark at the time became increasingly motivated to go above and beyond when it came to governmental processes. They wanted to do not just what was ‘required’, but also what was right.

Wanting to demonstrate that as an organisation they had something unique, they applied for the award.

What was the reaction from the board when you found out you’d won?

We were very excited and surprised to win! Being recognised by the judges gave us confidence that we were thinking about things in the right way and that our approach had worked.

It also gave the villagers and those in the local area the confidence that the changes, both to the village hall and the Robertson Trust procedures more generally, were appropriate and sensible.

It had a big impact! That confidence and motivation we gained is still important, as we’re working to involve villagers in a new project – replacing the 125-year-old hall’s roof.

How did the prize money you received make a difference to you?

It made a tremendous difference to the renovations that were taking place on the village hall. It allowed us to both build a brand new kitchen, and do some more general improvements to the hall.  That supported our desire to create a village hub.

What would you say to other organisations who are thinking about applying this year?

I’d absolutely recommend applying! The impact was fantastic for the board, for the employees, and for our status as a charity. It really made a difference to us, helping us to achieve some grants, demonstrating that we as a charity had been recognised.

It opens a lot of doors and gives you confidence to the people who run the charity, and to the stakeholders.

Tom Clarke-Forrest, Sport 4 Life, 2016 winner

Can you summarise what your organisation does?

Sport 4 Life UK is the leading sport for employment charity in the West Midlands. Our transformative programmes are designed to empower young people by providing them with high-quality mentoring, employability guidance and sports sessions. Our vision is to create a level playing field where every young person has the opportunity to create a better future for themselves.

What motivated you to apply for the Inspiring Impact award in 2015?

10 years ago, we had half our current revenue, but we were on a growth journey.

Following a change in strategic direction in 2011, we’d transformed the level of impact they were having on the young people they were supporting.

We felt we had a story to tell. We were motivated by the thought that national awareness and recognition would benefit their journey further.

What was the reaction from the board when you found out you’d won?

Everyone involved – we were all really pleased! We wanted to use both the prize money and the recognition as a springboard to grow and develop.

How did the prize money you received make a difference to you then?

Core, unrestricted funding is the holy grail! We used it to help us to continue to grow.

Has winning the CGA led to any changes in your organisation?

We’ve more than doubled our revenue in the 10 years since winning the original award. We’re now supporting young people from a wider geographical area to achieve an even bigger impact.

The award was part of this journey. It gave us awareness, funding, and most importantly confidence!

What would you say to other organisations who are thinking about applying this year?

Go for it! If you win, it can have a transformational impact. Even if you don’t win, the process of reflecting on your impact management journey, putting it on paper, and using that as a lens through which to learn and develop is useful.