Nominations and applications
Now Open
Nominations and applications for the 2027 awards season are open!
Nominate a deserving business or start your application today.
Timeline
Key dates and deadlines
Mark these milestones for the 2027 awards season!
Applications Due
September 2027
Deadline: Submit by September 1
Finalists Announced
Fall 2027
Finalists are notified by email and announced on BBB platforms.
Winners Announced
Fall 2027
Winners will be announced at in-person events throughout our service areas.
About the awards
Recognizing integrity put into action
The BBB Torch and Spark Awards celebrate businesses in and around Dallas, Lubbock and Wichita Falls that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to ethics, integrity and marketplace trust. These awards recognize businesses that go beyond doing good work—they show what it means to do business the right way.
The Torch Awards for Ethics honor established businesses that demonstrate ethical practices throughout their organization, while the Spark Awards recognize emerging businesses and entrepreneurs who are building their companies on a strong foundation of character and integrity (in business 3 years or less).
Together, the awards celebrate businesses of all sizes and stages that are making a positive impact on their customers, employees and communities.
There is no fee to apply for or win a Torch or Spark Award.
Who should apply?
Eligibility and how it works
Accreditation is not required, and there is no cost to apply. Eligible organizations meet these criteria:
Must have at least a "B" rating with the BBB. (No rating? Contact us!)
All financial obligations must be met and in good standing.
Cannot have any current government actions or be the subject of a BBB investigation.
Has not received a Torch Award in the past three years in the same service area.
Steps in the process
1
Apply online
Complete the online application by September 1st. Businesses that are nominated for an award will also be asked to complete the full application during this period.
2
Independent judging
A volunteer panel scores each submission on character, culture, customers, and community against a published benchmark.
3
Finalists notified
Recipients are notified by email and announced across BBB platforms.
4
Celebrated in person
Winners and finalists are honored at an in-person awards event in the fall.
WHY APPLY
Recognition that goes beyond an award
Strengthen your mission
Take a closer look at your company’s ethical framework, policies and culture while identifying opportunities for continued improvement. Recognition can also reinforce a positive workplace culture that helps attract and retain employees.
Build trust and stand out
Third-party recognition validates your commitment to ethical business practices, helping build confidence among customers, employees and partners while differentiating your business in a competitive marketplace.
Increase your visibility
Award recipients benefit from publicity, social media promotion and digital exposure, along with opportunities to use award recognition in their own marketing to strengthen credibility and brand awareness.
Celebrate and grow
Recipients are honored at the annual awards ceremony and receive recognition materials designed to showcase their achievement. The program also creates opportunities to connect with fellow business leaders, strengthen your reputation and build new relationships.
Ways to enagage
Choose how you want to take part
Explore ways to get involved, learn more about the awards, or connect with our team.
Start Here
Apply for Torch or Spark
Applications for both awards are now open. Applicants for either award will use the same application link below.
Nominate an organization
Shine a light on a business or nonprofit that demonstrates integrity-driven best practices. Or nominate your own business to stay in the loop about all things awards.
Attend a celebration near you
Join the in-person events in the fall. Ticket sales start as early as June. In the meantime, check out our favorite moments from 2026 Fall Toast events!
2026 recipients
Ethics worth celebrating
Meet the most recent BBB Torch and Spark Award recipients—businesses in Dallas, Lubbock, and Wichita Falls recognized for putting ethics, integrity, and trust into action.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
BBB Torch Awards for Ethics recognize businesses across six categories based on employee count.
The Spark Award is a separate recognition for emerging businesses that have operated for three years or less.
Category VI (500+ Employees)
Category V (200-499 Employees)
Category IV (50-199 Employees)
Category III (20-49 Employees)
Category II (11-19 Employees)
Category I (1-10 Employees)
Spark Award (<3 Years)
Three regional events are held celebrating winners and finalists each fall. Details to be announced in 2027.
Yes. BBB Accreditation is not required to apply. All eligible businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to participate.
An independent, voluntary panel of business and community leaders — many of them previous Torch Award winners — reviews, evaluates and selects the recipients.
Recipients are notified by email and announced on BBB platforms, then celebrated at an in-person awards event in the fall.
Winners receive a trophy and/or certificate, a recipient media kit, a press-release template, various media features, and use of the official Torch or Spark Awards Winner logo, subject to BBB's advertising guidelines.
No. There is no fee to apply for or win a Torch or Spark award.
Before applying, be prepared to share basic information about your business and provide examples of how your organization demonstrates ethical practices, builds trust with customers and employees, and makes a positive impact in the community.
We strongly recommend that you gather supporting materials, such as customer testimonials, company policies, or examples of community involvement, to help tell your story.