Please note we are NOT taking KM Charity of the Year applications for 2021. Due to the pandemic the charities selected for 2020 will retain KM Charity of the Year status in 2021.
In the meantime, we welcome all good causes – whether a PTA, scout group or major registered charity – to team up with us and increase their fundraising opportunities. Do encourage supporters to sign up for our collaboration events HERE and raise sponsor money on your behalf.
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Your chance to become KM Charity of the Year
Would you like your local KM editor acting as your champion for the year? That’s exactly what is on offer for causes applying to be KM Charity of the Year.
KM Charity of the Year selects a good cause that the editor will champion for 12 months through his or her newspapers. Entries are accepted until October 27 each year. KM Charity of the Year runs for the calendar year – January to December.
How KM Charity of the Year works
Recipients benefit from direct fundraising support and have their profiles raised through KM Group newspapers, kmfm radio and websites. The Kent and Medway Charity Team annually seeks nominations for each of the local areas covered by the KM Group.
Once nominations close each year, editors in every community choose one charity to support throughout the coming year. This involves fundraising events and publicity in newspapers, radio and on both the KM Group’s websites and the KM Charity Team’s sites.
During the nomination window, you can tell us about your charity or organisation and why you feel you would benefit from being the editor’s choice and let us know how you would make the most of this opportunity.
What you can expect
The KM Charity Team will stage a variety of activities and events across Kent to support KM Group charities of the year. Events include:
Fundraising. We will stage brain and brawn challenges such as the KM Abseil, KM Big Bike Ride, KM Colour Run, record breaking KM Big Quiz nights and our annual Busters Firewalk. All of these could earn your charity funds.
- Profile. KM Group news teams will provide publicity through KM Group newspapers, websites and kmfm radio stations.
What we expect
The KM Charity Team is hoping for active charitable partners who will make the most of the opportunity being named as KM Charity of Year will present. Charities nominating themselves for consideration should consider:
- How they can help promote the events staged by the KM Charity Team directly to their own members, supporters and corporate sponsors. How they support the fundraising events on the day.
Type of projects considered
Currently editors are open to all suggestions and ideas but the key issue is location. The project you wish to be supported must be within the circulation area of the KM Group newspaper you are applying for support.
Dates for KM Charity of the Year
An evaluation panel meets to make the selection, ensuring the KM Charity of the Year for each area is notified in November. The KM Charity of the Year period runs for the calendar year.
Deadline to apply for closes in October.
Editors make their decision in November.
Charities of the Year are announced on this website in November. Successful charities invited in to be briefed in December.
Note: The annual KM Charity Team Forum is due to be staged in October (Date to be confirmed) to provide causes with an opportunity to learn top tips about the key information to add to their KM Charity of the Year submission. We recommend you attend this session.
To find out more contact the KM Charity of the Year on 0844 264 0291.
Video guidance – KM Charity of the Year
Case studies – interviews with previous KM Charity of the Year beneficiaries
Tips on how to tweak your application
Tips on applying by Kent Scouts