The much-awaited Third Sector Awards is back this year to honour Australia’s finest charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises.
Each category will be judged according to the set of values set by the Centre for Social Impact, which Third Sector believes is central to creating social change. The said values include Social impact, Outcomes measurement, Social innovation, Collaboration, Leadership, and Systems Thinking.
This year’s categories are:
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Social impact, Systems Thinking, Innovation, Collaboration, and Leadership
The CEO has proven capacity and creates opportunities to collaborate with other stakeholders within the third sector. The CEO demonstrates the leadership of the organisation, the system and self. The CEO has consciously created a ‘leaderful’ organisational culture, where leadership is shared and promoted throughout the organisation. The CEO empowers organisational participants and stakeholders to make leadership contributions.
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Social impact, Systems Thinking, Collaboration, Passion/Dedication, and Leadership
The Board Director shows dedication and passion toward the positive developments of the organisation and the sector as a whole. The Board Director must also demonstrate leadership of the organisation, the system and self and consciously created a ‘leaderful’ organisational culture, where leadership is shared and promoted throughout the organisation.
Campaign / Marketing Executive of the Year
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Social Impact, Innovation, Outcomes Measurement, and Leadership
The Campaign Manager needs to have produced innovative and impactful marketing campaigns. As a Campaign Manager, he or she must have created a positive, measurable benefit for the organisation’s stakeholders and the third sector as a whole. The Campaign Manager should also demonstrate the leadership to drive the organisation’s purpose.
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Social impact, Passion, Outcomes Measurement
The volunteer must have actively contributed to the third sector in a meaningful and impactful way. The volunteer inspires others to participate through their passion and dedication toward the cause and the third sector as a whole. The volunteer has created positive, measurable benefits for the organisation’s stakeholders and the third sector as a whole.
Social Entrepreneur of the Year
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Social impact, Outcomes Measurement, Innovation, Collaboration, Leadership
The nominated volunteer has successfully taken an idea from the conceptual stage to the implementation and delivery stage. The Individual has created positive, measurable benefits for the organisation’s stakeholders and the third sector as a whole. The individual played a central role in the successful execution and implementation of their idea. The individual has a proven capacity to collaborate with stakeholders within the third sector. The individual demonstrates the leadership of the organisation, the system and the self.
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Social Impact, Outcomes Measurement, Innovation, Collaboration, Leadership
The individual has successfully taken an idea from the conceptual stage to the implementation and delivery stage. The Individual has created positive, measurable benefits for the organisation’s stakeholders and the third sector as a whole. The individual played a central role in the successful execution and implementation of their idea. The individual has a proven capacity to collaborate with stakeholders within the third sector. The individual demonstrates the leadership of the organisation, the system and the self.
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Leadership, Social Impact, Innovation, Collaboration
The applicant must be between the ages of 13 and 24 years old at the time of application.
The Young Leader demonstrates the leadership of the organisation, the system and the self. The Young Leader has created positive, measurable benefits for their organisation’s stakeholders and the third sector as a whole. The Young Leader played a central role in the successful execution and implementation of the organisation’s idea. The Young Leader has a proven capacity to collaborate with other stakeholders
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Social Impact, Innovation, Leadership, Systems Thinking, Collaboration
The emerging Leader has actively contributed to the third sector in a meaningful and impactful way for 2 or more years. The Emerging Leader implements creativity and innovation that leads to social impact. The Emerging Leader has guided the organisation to design solutions based on systems-level change. The Emerging Leader has proven capacity and creates opportunities to collaborate with other stakeholders within the third sector.
Small Charity of the Year – 10 People or Less
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: their Mission/Vision, Social impact, Marketing/Advertising, Collaboration, System Thinking
The organisation must operate with a strong, clear and purposeful mission and vision. The organisation engages stakeholders through innovative and unique marketing initiatives. The organisation has successfully formed impactful collaborations that drive its organisational purpose. The organisation has designed solutions based on systems-level change.
The criteria for the awards is based on the following Third Sector values which we believe are central to creating social change: Social Impact, Innovation, Transparency, Systems Thinking, Collaboration
The organisation has been operating for 5 years or less
The organisation has contributed to the third sector and created positive, measurable benefits. The organisation has used creativity and innovation to positively benefit their cause and the third sector as a whole. The organisation has created measurable benefits and operates with open communication, honesty and accountability. The organisation has designed solutions based on systems-level change. The organisation has successfully formed impactful collaborations that drive their organisational purpose.
To enter, you will need to provide 200 words or less for each section of the criteria and citing specific examples. Nominations will run from the 24th of May to the 17th of June.
Meet this year’s judges
Arminé Nalbandian
Arminé Nalbandian is a public policy leader who has spent her career advising governments and for-purpose organisations on social policy and economic development strategies.
Most recently, she was Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Policy to the New South Wales Premier.
Jack de Groot
Jack de Groot is CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
Prior to taking on the role in August 2016, Jack held senior executive roles in the not-for-profit sector. He was CEO of Caritas Australia, for 13 years and part of the Group Executive of St Vincent’s Health Australia for 3 years.
Katherine Raskob
Katherine is the chief executive officer of Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA), the largest representative body for the $11.6 billion charitable fundraising sector.
Jenny Buckland
Jenny Buckland is the CEO of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Jenny has played a key role in positioning the ACTF as a national children’s media and policy hub, and growing the business to become one of the most successful international marketers of children’s television programs.
Brenda Gaddi
Brenda Gaddi (she/her) is a proud Kayumanggi (kah-you-mang-ghee) (brown-skinned) woman living on unceded land of the Wallumattagal clan of the Darug nation. She is a second-generation migrant/settler born, raised, and educated in Manila Philippines. She grew up during the oppressive regime of the Marcos dictatorship. Brenda has a track record of building women focused communities and championing women’s voices
Andrea Alexander
Andrea Alexander is the Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation since July 1996. Before this, she worked in various departments at PMH from 1979 until she joined the Princess Margaret Children’s Medical Research Foundation as a Personal Assistant to the Administrator from 1984-1990.
Saroni Roy
Saroni Roy is an Australian Actor, Global Influencer, Co-chair Equity Diversity & Federal Councillor, National Performers Committee – Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), Keynote Speaker, AACTA-AFI accredited Actor, PR & Media professional.
A Cancer-survivor, facing multiple invisible disability, Saroni is a Body-Activist and was named Ms India Australia Goodwill Ambassador at Miss/Mrs/Mr. India Australia 2018 beauty pageant and recently the 2022 Strathfield Citizen of the Year, for her extensive contribution towards community-welfare.
Alison Covington
Alison Covington brought the ‘Good360’ charity to Australia, which offers businesses a sustainable, community-focused option to redirect surplus product from landfill. Inspiring all Australians to ensure that every brand-new product must have a ‘first life’, with nothing useful to lie unused or go to waste. Good360 Australia is well on the way to achieving Alison’s goal of matching $1 billion worth of brand-new goods to Australians in need by 2025.
Alison won last year’s CEO of the Year Award.
“I was so shocked and humbled to receive this award and recognition. CEO’s have worked so hard to lead teams through a year like no other. Teams have worked in times like no other.” she said, “I also want to take a moment to recognise all the finalists, nominees and people who work in our wonderful industry. I am humbled to be recognised, but the industry needs to be thanked and recognised this year because they keep stepping up. I am proud to work with such kind, passionate and talented people at Good360 Australia and across the NFP sector. Thank you for all you do in your community.”
Libby Ward-Christie
Libby joined the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne in 2017 as a Principal Industry Fellow and is the Founder and Director of the Social Startup Studio.
In January 2022 she was appointed as CSI Swinburne Director.
Dr Lisa J. Griffiths
Throughout her career, Lisa has been instrumental in introducing systemic change involving primary prevention programs, evidence-based interventions and community awareness projects that address long term strategic needs, and enhance outcomes for the community.
Lisa firmly believes in evidence based programs to deliver tangible outcomes for vulnerable people and is a strong advocate for using what works for Australian children and families facing vulnerabilities.
Sandy Schofield
Being involved with Odyssey since 2002, Sandy is a highly respected team member with over twenty-five years’ experience working in and managing fundraising and marketing teams. With experience in key areas including: Strategy and Brand; Donor management; Stakeholder engagement; Event management, and Community fundraising.
Last year’s Social Entrepreneur, Paul Brown, also shares his thoughts on what makes an excellent social entrepreneur.
“Passion for their field and perseverance are two essential qualities. There will always be bumps in the road and challenges along the way, but an unwavering belief in the need to challenge the status quo and deliver a positive social impact is imperative.” Paul said. ” I suspect that the foundation of that passion is a deep sense of empathy, whether through a lived experience or not. Embracing innovation, I believe, is also a pretty universal trait amongst social entrepreneurs. We see problems as an opportunity to get creative and innovate to develop solutions.” he adds.
Third Sector Awards will happen alongside Third Sector Live, a forum focused on collaborating with the Third Sector community to build partnerships, build financial strength, develop a strong leadership to drive organisational success and amplify an organisation’s purpose and mission through proven marketing strategies