The AOL Innovation in the Community Awards

The Internet is a powerful tool for voluntary organisations - not just
for building awareness and fundraising, but also for helping the
people you serve.

With this in mind, AOL UK and the national charity Citizens Online
work together to help charities and community groups across the UK
make the most of the Internet through the annual AOL Innovation in the
Community Awards.

We are offering 30 awards packages of £2,000 plus AOL Broadband for a
year, so if you have a brilliant idea about how the Internet could
make a significant difference to your community or if you would like
to progress an existing Internet project, please get in touch.

Over the past two years, the awards have supported a diverse range of
projects, including Web-based learning, mobile Internet units, and
online support networks. And with broadband now widely available
across the UK, the high speed Internet offers even more exciting
opportunities.
This year, the judges will once again be looking for innovation and
impact. So, think creatively about how your organisation can harness
the power of the Internet and let us know how your community will
benefit.

You might want to take a look at the 2003 and 2004 rolls of honour for
some inspiration.

Thank you for your interest in the awards and good luck!


Who can apply for an award

The AOL Innovation in the Community Awards 2005 are open to community
groups and registered charities in the UK that are seeking funding for
new and existing Internet projects.

Organisations applying for the awards in previous years have included
community centres, disability charities, environmental groups, health
organisations, housing charities, out-of-school groups, sports clubs
and youth projects. 2003 and 2004 rolls of honour.

Please note the following:

* These awards cannot be used for projects that rely on other
unsecured funding
* The awards funding can be used for both revenue and capital projects
* Previous applicants (successful and unsuccessful) may reapply for
the 2005 awards
* Only the successful applicants will be contacted by the organisers
* The decisions of the judging panel are final and no correspondence
will be entered into concerning the results

The organisers regret that applications from the following will not be
accepted:
local authorities, local education authorities, health authorities,
learning and skills councils, higher education establishments,
tertiary colleges, universities, organisations that promote political
parties, organisations that are not based in the UK, employees of AOL
UK or Citizens Online and their families.

How to apply for an award

Simply complete the application form, using the space provided to
explain in no more than 300 words why your organisation should receive
an AOL Innovation in the Community Award.

Make sure you include a reference number on the application form in
the space provided. Acceptable reference numbers are a registered
charity number from the Charity Commission in England, Scotland or
Wales or an Inland Revenue tax reference. If you do not have a
reference number, please attach a letter on headed paper from your
local authority or a registered charity stating that you are a
non-profit making organisation. Either a reference number or a
reference letter must be provided. It is not necessary to submit both.
Additional material will not be accepted with application forms.

Tips:
* How many people will benefit from the award?
* In what way is the project innovative?
* Is this the first time your organisation has run an Internet
project?
* What resources do you need to complete the project?
* What is the planned timetable for your project?
* How will you measure the success of the project?

Timetable
The closing date for all applications (by post or email) is 6 June
2005. A judging panel will meet after this date and shortlisted
applicants will be contacted by the end of July 2005. If your
organisation is shortlisted, you may receive a visit from a
representative of the AOL Innovation in the Community Awards, which
will take no longer than 90 minutes. The 30 award recipients will be
announced in early August 2005 and will be invited to attend a daytime
awards ceremony in London in Autumn 2005.

Awards Package
Each winning application will receive an awards package consisting of
a cheque to the value of £2,000 and one complimentary AOL Broadband
Gold account for 12 months (subject to availability and terms and
conditions). 30 awards packages are available in 2005.

Judging Panel
The awards will be judged by a panel of representatives from AOL UK,
Citizens Online, and the Voluntary Sector.

Application Forms
Applicants must read and agree to the awards terms and conditions.
http://www.aol.co.uk/about/community/innovation/terms.html

If you have any questions or you would like a braille, audio or large
print version of this application pack, please call the awards
helpline on 020 7348 8390 or email ukinnovation@...

Please post your completed application form to:
The AOL Innovation in the Community Awards,
AOL UK, 80 Hammersmith Road,
London W14 8UD

Or you can download the application form and email your completed
entry to ukinnovation@...
You can download a form in either Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat*
format.

Download the Innovation in the Community Application Form

Application Form in Word
http://www.aol.co.uk/about/community/innovation/appformfinal.doc

Application Form in Acrobat
http://www.aol.co.uk/about/community/innovation/innovationawards_app_form.pdf

Application Pack in Acrobat
http://www.aol.co.uk/about/community/innovation/innovationawards_app_pack.pdf

*Get Adobe Acrobat Reader here
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 6 JUNE 2005

http://www.aol.co.uk/about/community/innovation/application.html