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King's Award for Voluntary Service 2027: Nominations Close 1 December

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KAVS 2027 nominations close on 1 December 2026. Check volunteer-group eligibility, find an independent nominator and prepare two letters showing local impact.

Last checked against official sources: 24 October 2026

* Dates and timings are subject to change, please check directly with the awards organisers.

Nominations for The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2027 are open until 1 December 2026, according to the current nomination guidance and homepage banner. The award recognises outstanding local volunteer groups, so start with the difference the group makes to its community, not simply a list of activities.

Find an Independent Nominator

A group cannot nominate itself. The nominator must be a member of the public who knows its work well, but must not be a volunteer, employee, trustee or anyone involved in running it. A beneficiary or long-term supporter may be well placed to explain why the work deserves recognition.

Check eligibility before asking someone to prepare the nomination. Groups need at least 3 people, must have operated for at least 3 years, and must be based in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. They must be volunteer-led, with more than half their members volunteers and more than half their volunteers eligible to reside in the UK, and provide a specific, direct local benefit.

Read the full exclusions too. Previous recipients and groups nominated in the past 3 years are excluded, as are national organisations and groups primarily focused on fundraising or grant-making. A local branch can qualify if it demonstrates a distinctive approach and substantial autonomy; groups supporting public services need a separate identity and volunteer leadership.

Request the Support Letters Early

The nominator needs 2 letters of support from additional people who know the group. The letters cannot come from the nominator, volunteers or anyone running the organisation. The organiser recommends beneficiaries or community members over politicians because they can provide direct evidence of impact.

The guidance asks for dated letters no longer than 500 words or 2 pages. Ask supporters to describe who benefited, how the volunteers helped, what makes their contribution special and their own relationship with the group. Specific examples and credible outcomes are stronger than general praise. Crafting Winning Awards Entries can help you organise that evidence.

Check the Current Nomination Route

The homepage contains conflicting wording: its current banner and nomination guidance say the 2027 round is open, while a lower process summary says nominations are closed. Follow the current nomination guidance and confirm access with the organiser if the online form is unavailable. The deadline statement does not specify a closing time or timezone; confirm these rather than assuming an end-of-day cutoff.

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