There are many numbers of awards celebrating inspiring humanitarian and development work. There are a huge variety of awards from national to international, NGO-based or with specific categories. These awards not only recognize prominent international NGOs, but also the small grassroots NGOs in developing countries.
Deciding on what awards to enter can be as challenging as researching donors. Many NGOs do not have a strategy for putting themselves up for awards. The reason being researching and entering an award may take as much time as networking with new donors. NGOs may see this as a waste of time. NGOs want to prioritize more on implementing their projects. Before applying for an award, it is important to evaluate the difference of time and effort to get you nominated and the benefit it brings. However, winning an award could give you that big boost in fundraising scene to start the same project. It can show the outside world the amazing work you have been doing, which can sometimes go unnoticed.
Awards do not only acknowledge success; they recognize your work, struggle, effort and your ability. Most awards have monetary prizes, but some may also provide capacity building training while others just give recognition.
Why Applying Awards is Good for NGO
Free Marketing
The NGO crowd getting bigger and it is tough to survive with every NGO having a strong but similar purpose. You need to scream to be heard. Branding and advertising have become crucial for the survival of an NGO. Any form of free promotion or marketing opportunities should be grabbed with both hands in this competitive environment. The PR exposure from the press release by the organisers of the awards can be a solid and free marketing tool. The bigger the award the bigger the media attention. Winning an award is a great way to promote your NGO through marketing and public relations initiatives. Even just being shortlisted can improve brand awareness and promote your NGO.
Credibility
NGO awards can improve your standing in the philanthropic arena. It increases your credibility. It positions you as an expert in your field. Winning an award signifies an approval for the work you have been doing in past and plan to do in future. Awards can provide instant credibility that people will remember long after the award has been presented. It is a great way to characterize your NGO from the crowd of competitors. Awards validate your organisation.
Award amount
Most of the awards have monetary prizes and unlike grant money, the use of the money is not restricted. The award amount can be used to fund a project, buy supplies, pay your employee or build an office.
Networking
Everyone talks big about networking. One of the primary reasons for your NGO should network is to share your story. An award event is not just to celebrate the hard work. It is also the best place to put your hard work to network with donors and NGOs similar to yours, to build a partnership.
Attract Donors
Winning an award or just being nominated can be used as a fundraising strategy.
Joan Flanagan, a pioneer fundraiser, says “All the knowledge about fundraising can be summed up in ten words- Ask ‘em, thank ‘em, ask ‘em again, thank ‘em again.”
When you are well-known asking becomes easier. The awards get you noticed and provide you with opportunities to attract new donors.
In-house motivation
Awards recognize the hard work and achievements of you and your team has put towards the organization. Winning one can help boost staff morale and improve motivation.
Evaluation Opportunity
The process of applying for an award makes you revisit your projects and organization from a different perspective. Is your project innovative? Are your project plans working? What is the feedback from stakeholders? Have you achieved your goal? Has your NGO grown? It allows you to evaluate your own work. Winning an award indicates that you are moving in the right direction. If not, then take this as an evaluation opportunity and bring the needed changes.
