BBB Torch Awards for Ethics

The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics is an annual celebration to honor exceptional businesses and nonprofits in the community. Honorees showcase excellence in the Four Cs: Character, Culture, Customers, and Community -- reflecting integrity in leadership, workplace culture, customer relations, and community engagement.

See past recipients

Key dates

Nomination Period: Now -- April 15, 2026
Application Open: April 1 -- May 31, 2026
Winner Announcement: August 2026
Awards Presentation: November 12, 2026 at The Olmsted in Louisville, Kentucky

Eligibility

Open to for-profit businesses, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) non-profit organizations of all sizes.

Must be in the BBB Serving Greater Kentucky and South Central Indiana service area. Government agencies are not eligible to submit an application.
BBB accreditation is not required for for-profit businesses and 501(c)(6), but a BBB profile is necessary.
Nonprofits - 501(c)(3) must be a BBB Accredited Charity but do not have to be a Charity Seal Holder.
Must have operated for at least three years
Cannot have won a Torch Award in the past five years in the same service area
Must have at least a "B" BBB rating
All financial obligations must be met

Award categories

Businesses:

Very Small: 1-10 employees
Small: 11-50 employees
Medium: 51-175 employees
Large: 175+ employees

Nonprofits:

Very Small: under $1 million annually
Small: $1 million to $5 million annually
Medium: $5 million to 10 million annually
Large: over $10 million annually

The Four Cs evaluation criteria

1. Character: Ethical leadership, staff empowerment, and integrity in decision-making

2. Culture: A workplace united by ethical values, mission, and trust

3. Customers: Commitment to transparency, problem-solving, and service excellence

4. Community: Active engagement, charitable contributions, and employee volunteerism

Helpful application tips

Prepare responses offline before submitting
FIll in each criterion including examples, stories with robust and accurate depictions of your organization's focus on the Four Cs
Upload supporting documents (policies, testimonials, media coverage, photographs, etc.)

Selection of Torch Awards winners

An independent, voluntary panel of judges will take on the responsibility of reviewing, evaluating, and selecting winners of the Torch Awards. The judges are comprised of business and community leaders, many of whom have previously won Torch Awards.

Questions? Contact BBB at 800-388-2222. We look forward to your application!

Apply here