This award recognises charity finance and operations teams that have taken meaningful, practical or innovative steps to strengthen their environmental, social or governance practices – showing that responsible stewardship goes far beyond financial management.
It celebrates teams who consider how resources are used, who benefits, and the wider impact their decisions have on people and the planet.
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Entry criteria for all 2026 awards
Before you enter this year's awards, please read the following carefully:
- You/your organisation does not have to be a CFG member to enter our awards.
- CFG's awards are open only to UK-registered charities.
- Size of charity does not matter. We warmly welcome entries from, or on behalf of, small charities.
- You may enter more than one category.
- You may enter on behalf of someone else.
Read our full entry rules and criteria.
What we’re looking for
ESG is a broad and evolving field, and every charity starts from a different place. We’ve deliberately kept this award open and inclusive to encourage diverse entries of all shapes and sizes.
You don’t need to demonstrate excellence across all three ESG pillars. Strong progress in one or two areas is equally valid, and achievements outside of the charity’s core work will also be recognised.
What matters most is that you can show how your finance or operations functions have:
- championed ESG principles through day-to-day decisions.
- turned good intentions into practical action.
- aligned improvements with your charity’s mission and values.
- created positive change for staff, supporters, communities or the environment.
For charities, ESG isn’t just about compliance or reputation, it’s about walking the walk. Finance and operations teams play a unique role here: shaping procurement, investment decisions, resource use, workplace practices, reporting transparency and operational efficiency.
Small charities warmly invited
We actively encourage entries from small charities, including teams with limited budgets, small headcounts (even a team of one counts!) or part‑time/volunteer support.
Judging will adjust to your size and resources, focusing on proportional impact, ingenuity and sustainable change.
You don’t need complex metrics. Simple, credible evidence is absolutely fine – short before/after examples, a few data points, brief quotes, or a snapshot of a policy or practice change.
Examples of what excellence might look like
Excellence could take many forms, such as:
Environmental
- reducing carbon emissions or energy use
- improving waste or resource management
- adopting greener procurement practices
- choosing ethical or sustainable financial partners
Social
- strengthening staff wellbeing, equity and inclusion
- supporting fair and ethical supply chains
- embedding inclusive practices that support fairness and equal access to opportunities
- prioritising social value in supplier choices
Governance
- improving transparency, accountability or reporting
- strengthening internal controls or risk management
- integrating ESG into financial planning, investment policies or decision making
- championing diversity and inclusion at board or leadership level
What judges will be looking for
Judges will look for evidence that:
- ESG considerations have moved from aspiration to action
- finance or operations teams have shown leadership and ownership
- impact has been measured or meaningfully described
- challenges were recognised and overcome
- changes are sustainable and embedded for the long term
- the work reflects your charity’s values not just in policy, but in practice
This award celebrates progress, not perfection. We want to recognise charities making thoughtful, values-driven choices that strengthen their impact and set an example for the sector-driven choices that strengthen their impact and set an example for the sector.