2025 Charity Awards: a judge’s perspective

It’s an incredibly tough environment out there for charities. At a time of economic uncertainty and ESG backlash, charitable organisations are facing challenges to their funding outlook whilst needs for their services become more acute. In simple terms, charities are being asked to do more with less, both at home in the UK and internationally. The sector is working harder than ever to make a difference.

Against this backdrop, The Charity Awards aims to shine a positive light on those charities going above and beyond – continuing to challenge the status quo and innovating to achieve long term transformational systemic change in our communities. 
Newly into my role at Rathbones, I was incredibly honoured to be invited to be part of the judging panel for the 2025 Charity Awards, alongside a diverse group of non-profit trailblazers. More than ever, it is vital we shine a spotlight on the charitable organisations making the biggest strides to drive positive societal change, and I’m delighted to play just a small part in doing so.

The annual Awards, organised by Civil Society Media, are a unique opportunity for celebration and sharing of best practice amongst charities – regardless of size, location, or cause. That might be a hyper-local place-based arts or community centre supporting people facing disadvantage, or an internal humanitarian aid organisation delivering change at scale in politically unstable environments across international borders. Most of these charities are unable to fall back on any form of long-term reserves when other sources of funding dry up. This is why it is so important for Rathbones, as a long-term charity investor, to understand the broader complexities and context that the charitable sector at large is facing. 

The judging process is rightly rigorous, as I found out first hand just what an impossible task it is comparing applications. A team of 14 industry pioneers – charity CEOs, civil society leaders, Foundation grant makers and experienced trustees - scored applications based on criteria such as outcomes and effectiveness, value for money, innovation, financial sustainability, scalability, governance, and best practice. There is also a qualitative assessment score for those applications that simply stand out for their wow factor – I looked for passion, point of difference and brilliant leadership.

After the individual assessment round, we were invited to participate in two days of rigorous in-person debate to identify category winners and shortlisted nominations. These days spent on collective discussion were both inspiring and humbling – but also tough. It isn’t every day you are able to step outside of the day job and spend time challenging sector trailblazers around the solutions being put in place to tackle some of our biggest societal issues. 

We should be proud that the UK has some simply brilliant organisations driving meaningful outcomes and raising awareness on issues such as the climate crisis, humanitarian aid, children experiencing poverty, domestic abuse, financial inclusion, and educational disparity. Every application we discussed was a worthy winner. 
Ultimately though, this is about people - celebrating the passionate individuals going above and beyond in increasingly challenging times. I’m delighted that they are deservedly acknowledged and get their moment to shine in front of their peers in a few weeks’ time.

The winners will be announced and celebrated at the Awards Ceremony on 3 July.

As a proud supporter of the Charity Awards and sponsor of the International Aid and Development category, Rathbones is committed to honouring organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to society. Rathbones looks forward to celebrating the incredible charities who will be recognised by the judges for the exceptional work they are doing in all areas of charitable activity.