Kilkenny Volunteer Centre Wins Top National Governance Award

UPDATE: Kilkenny Volunteer Centre has been awarded the prestigious Overall Winner in Category 2 at the 2025 Good Governance Awards, held on November 19, 2025, in Dublin. This recognition highlights the Centre’s exceptional governance, transparency, and accountability among non-profits with an annual turnover of €100,000–€250,000.

The win marks the Centre’s second significant achievement in governance, following their previous victory in 2023. This year, over 120 organizations from across Ireland competed for the coveted awards, which were established a decade ago by Carmichael to celebrate excellence in charity leadership and reporting.

The judging panel praised Kilkenny Volunteer Centre for its “mature and clear” annual report, which included an honest discussion of challenges alongside robust financial statements. The report exemplifies the Centre’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.

Manager Salena Grace expressed her excitement, stating, “Winning a Good Governance Award for the second time is a tremendous honor for our organization. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our board, staff, and volunteers.” She emphasized that governance is an evolving process that requires ongoing commitment.

Newly appointed Chairperson Alan Curtis echoed this sentiment, noting, “This award is a testament to our belief in always striving to do better. Good governance is not a static goal — it’s an evolving process that requires reflection, learning, and improvement.”

This recognition comes at a pivotal time for the Kilkenny Volunteer Centre, which continues to expand its efforts to support volunteering and community engagement throughout County Kilkenny. Other honored organizations at the awards included Chronic Pain Ireland, IDEA, Belong To, Women’s Aid, Oxfam, and the Rehab Group, showcasing a broad commitment to governance excellence across the sector.

For further details about the Good Governance Awards, visit goodgovernanceawards.ie. To learn more about the impactful work of Kilkenny Volunteer Centre, check out volunteerkilkenny.ie. This latest win not only celebrates the Centre’s past achievements but also signals a promising future for community engagement in Kilkenny.