The Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics honors businesses and nonprofit organizations that demonstrate outstanding ethics, integrity, and trust in the way they operate and serve their customers, employees, and communities. These organizations lead by example and show that doing business the right way matters.

How the Torch Awards Work:

To be considered for the Torch Awards, a business or nonprofit must first be nominated. Once nominated, the organization will be invited to complete an application describing how they demonstrate ethical practices in their organization.

Applicants are evaluated based on four key areas:

• Character – Leadership and ethical decision-making
• Culture – Workplace environment and employee relationships
• Customers – Honest and transparent customer practices
• Community – Community involvement and social responsibility

Award Categories:

Awards are based on organization size:

• Small Business: 1 – 9 employees
• Medium Business: 10 – 49 employees
• Large Business: 50+ employees
• Non-Profit Organizations

Eligibility & Criteria:

The Torch Awards are open to for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations located within BBB’s 24-county service area in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. BBB Accreditation is required to apply for the award.

To be eligible:

• Organizations must have been in business for at least one year
• For-profit businesses must have a BBB rating of B or higher
• Nonprofits must meet BBB Standards for Charity Accountability
• All financial obligations must be in good standing
• Previous winners are not eligible for five years
• Government agencies are not eligible

2026 Awards Structure:

For the 2026 Torch Awards, there will be 9 winners across the BBB service area:

• 1 Small/Medium Business winner and 1 Nonprofit winner in:
  • Hillsdale County (MI) and Williams, Fulton, Defiance, Henry, Paulding, Putnam (OH)
• 1 Small/Medium Business winner and 1 Nonprofit winner in:
  • Monroe & Lenawee (MI), Lucas, Wood, Hancock (OH)
• 1 Small/Medium Business winner and 1 Nonprofit winner in:
  • Van Wert, Mercer, Auglaize, Allen, Hardin (OH)
• 1 Small/Medium Business winner and 1 Nonprofit winner in:
  • Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Erie, Huron, Wyandot, Crawford (OH)
• 1 Large Business winner across all Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan

Important Dates:

• Nomination Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Entry Application Deadline: July 30, 2026

Awards Celebration

Winners and finalists will be recognized at the Torch Awards Cocktail After Hours event on September 10, 2026, held at The TolHouse from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Questions

For questions about nominations or applications, contact:
info@toledobbb.org