The deadline for small charities to apply for a free entry to this year’s Third Sector Awards has been extended. 

Third Sector will offer 15 randomly selected organisations the chance to enter one of 13 categories in a scheme that exists to spotlight the successes of small, micro, local and ethnic minority-led charities, which might not otherwise be able to afford to enter.

Charities with an annual income of less than £100,000 are eligible to apply and categories that fall under the scheme include Frontline Team of the Year, Rising Chief Executive and Small Charity of the Year.

Successful applicants will also be invited to attend a free online workshop before the entry deadline, where they will receive practical advice and guidance from Caroline O’Connor, chair of the judges and winner of the 2024 Charity Chief Executive category, on how to formulate a winning application.

Eligible charities can register their interest in a free entry by 11:59pm on 8 April by completing the short form here. Successful applicants will be notified on 9 April.

The early bird deadline for charities of all sizes to submit an entry to the Third Sector Awards is 1 May. 

The awards ceremony will be held at a lunchtime reception in London on 12 September.