There’s still time to submit your nominations for the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).
KAVS aims to recognise outstanding local volunteering groups from across the UK.
Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).
Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK for many years.
Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.
Who can be nominated?
Any volunteer-led group undertaking work in their local community can be nominated; however, they must meet some basic criteria:
- be made up of three or more people
- be based in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- have been in operation for at least three years before nomination
- have over half its volunteers eligible to reside in the UK
- be led by volunteers, not by paid staff
- provide a specific and direct benefit to the local community
What are the benefits?
- Royal Recognition
- Signed Certificate from His Majesty The King
- Award’s Crystal
- Invitations to the Royal Garden Parties
- Right to use The King’s Award Emblem across the group’s promotional material and website
How to nominate
- Check the basic criteria first before nominating.
- Register on the KAVS website and create an account. All you need is an email to get started.
- Complete a nomination form – the online nomination form covers basic information such as the group’s work, it’s beneficiaries and the role of it’s volunteers. This takes between 5 – 10 minutes to complete.
- Letter of support – You will need to submit two separate letters of support in addition to your nomination form. These letters are usually from beneficiaries or independent members of the community and add further context.
- Complete and submit – Submit your nomination by the 1 December 2025.
Further information and help and support is available on the KAVS website.