TODAY is the last chance to enter the biggest and best business awards in the North East. Hundreds of entries are already in for nine of the categories in the nebusiness awards, which are organised by The Journal and Evening Gazette in association with Business & Enterprise North East.

But there is one award category which is still open and businesses and organisations have until 5pm today to stake their claim on the Not For Profit title and ensure they are among those considered for one of the region’s most coveted corporate accolades.

The nebusiness awards have had yet another success in raising interest from businesses across the region and tickets are selling fast for the four awards dinners in March and April when the names of the winners will be revealed.

The Not-For-Profit Award highlights the work of companies who may not pursue earnings for their own sake but are still run as tight financial operations and plough their surplus funds back into the organisation to improve or extend its work.

Charities and public-sector bodies such as universities or councils work primarily to provide a public service as well and efficiently as they can. But this doesn’t mean they are not largely run like other businesses.

And this award recognises the qualities of these groups and the importance of highlighting the talent, acumen and hard work which is vital to them.

We launched the Not-For-Profit Award last year to highlight the work being done across the region, which would be the envy of many a private- sector manager.

Last year’s winner was the Newcastle-based Keyfund Federation which describes itself as a Dragons’ Den for social and youth enterprise.

It has developed a simple process for helping to raise the aspirations and skills of the region’s most disadvantaged young people. Those taking part in its programmes are given a trained facilitator and small pot of money to help deliver their own projects.

It aims to be working with more than 12,000 disadvantaged young people every year by 2012.

Hundreds of companies came forward to show their strength, ambition and innovation and entered the nebusiness awards last year, despite the worst recession for half a century.

Winners from three sub-regional events - Teesside, Durham and Wearside and Tyneside and Northumberland - will then go forward to the grand North-east final.

Awards will be made in categories ranging from Small Business to Services along with the prestigious Company of the Year crown.