ENTREPRENEUR awards are returning to recognise and reward commitment and innovation within the third sector.

The Steve Morgan Foundation will invite applications throughout May across five different categories from any charity or non-for-profit organisation within the four remit areas – North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire.

Prize money will be available, in what is revised version of the successful entrepreneur awards previously organised by the charity on an annual basis between 2008 and 2012.

“It was at our inaugural conference staged last October, which brought together over 200 representatives of our supported organisations, that I was once again reminded of the incredible skill and entrepreneurial workforce that exists within the charitable sector,” said Steve Morgan, Chairman of the Steve Morgan Foundation.

“I said on stage that it had inspired me to think about whether it was the right time to bring back the entrepreneur awards, and since then we have gone away and made the decision that we will invite applications for 2019.

“So many people do extraordinary things within their charities to change the lives of people from their local communities, which continue to inspire not only myself but also all the trustees and staff from the Steve Morgan Foundation.

“By staging these awards, not only is there prize money available for the winners and runners-up, but hopefully it will also raise more awareness of these fantastic charities and organisations and provide them with a platform to continue to tell their stories and gain even more support.”

This year’s awards will combine with the return of the charity conference, both events taking place at Carden Park Hotel during the working day on Friday, September 13.

The categories are: Best Entrepreneurial Charity or Social Enterprise; Charity or Social Enterprise making Greatest Local Impact; Charity or Social Enterprise Changing Young Lives; Charity or Social Enterprise with Best Volunteer Team; Outstanding Individual Contribution to Charity.

Charities or not-for-profit organisations within the Steve Morgan Foundation remit areas can apply for a maximum of two categories. A third party can also submit an application on a charity’s behalf, but they must have obtained the signed agreement of the organisation they are nominating.

Entries will be accepted online from Mayn1 to 31, and finalists will be announced during June.

Judging will be made by the Steve Morgan Foundation team and trustees, but online voting taking place during July will also account for 25 per cent of the final points.

There will be three prizes in each category, a winner’s prize of £5,000 and two runners-up prizes of £1,000.

Click https://www.tfaforms.com/4728701 to complete the online form to make a nomination. Visit www.stevemorganfoundation.org.uk to find out more about the Foundation’s work.