The RSPCA, Alzheimer’s Society and Medical Aid for Palestinians are among the charities shortlisted for recognition at the 2024 Third Sector Awards. 

The awards, which mark their 20th year in 2024, recognise the achievements of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in 31 categories, including Communications Campaign of the Year and Small Charity Big Achiever. 

Charities shortlisted for Fundraising Campaign of the Year include War Child UK, Royal British Legion Industries and Watford FC’s Community Sport and Education Trust. 

Finalists in a new category for 2024, Best Use of Social Media, include Macmillan Cancer Support, North Devon Hospice and the National Zakat Foundation. The prize will go to an organisation that creatively used social channels to tell a story about its work or raise awareness. 

And the RSPCA’s Chris Sherwood, Comic Relief’s Samir Patel and Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association are among the charity leaders who will go head to head in the hotly-contested category of Charity Chief Executive of the Year. 

Entries were judged by an independent panel of sector experts chaired by Dr Lasith Ranasinghe, founder of Make a Medic, which provides educational resources for medical students and junior doctors and supports medical education and public health initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. 

“Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted for this year’s Third Sector Awards,” said Emily Burt, editor of Third Sector. 

“It is brilliant to see so many impressive organisations sharing their achievements, and we look forward to celebrating the winners in September.” 

The full shortlist is available here.  

The awards lunch will take place on Friday 20 September at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Tickets for the ceremony are available here. 

The headline sponsor for the 2024 Third Sector Awards is Ansvar, while the advisory business Gatenby Sanderson and consultancy PearlFinders are category sponsors.