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.
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!