BBB Torch Awards for Ethics FAQ

Who is eligible to apply?

The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics is open to for-profit, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) non-profit organizations of all sizes.

• BBB Accreditation is not required;
• For-profit and 501(c)(6) applicants must have a “B” rating with BBB;
• 501(c)(3) non-profit applicants must complete the Charitable Standards Evaluation process and meet all BBB Standards for Charity Accountability;
• Organizations must have been in business for three years;
• All financial obligations must be met;
• Applicants are not eligible if they have received the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics in the past five years;
• Government agencies are not eligible to submit an application.

Are there any exclusions?

A company is not eligible if any of the following conditions apply:

• It has been in business for less than three years
• It has earned less than a "B" rating from BBB
• There are indications that the company has not met its financial obligations
• It has been the recipient of a Torch Award within the past five years
• It is a government agency. Government contractors can confirm their eligibility by contacting their local BBB.

How does the judging process work?

Applications that are submitted for the Torch Awards are evaluated by an independent, voluntary panel of judges comprised of business and community leaders. Applications are judged on criteria based on the four C’s: the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics measures the Character of the organization’s leadership; if and how an authentic Culture is being fostered; the company’s transparent relationship with its Customers; and the impact the organization is making in the local Community. Businesses that enter may be separated into the following size categories:

• Businesses with 1-4 employees
• Businesses with 5-10 employees
• Businesses with 11-24 employees
• Businesses with 25-99 employees
• Businesses with 100-249 employees
• Businesses with 250-499 employees
• Businesses with 500+ employees
• Charities with 1-24 employees
• Charities with 25+ employees

The applications from 501(c)(6) organizations are judged among the private sector entities. The 501(c)(3) organizations are judged independently in their own category.

How many businesses can receive the award each year?

There is no limit on how many businesses in each category can receive the Torch Award for Ethics each year. By using a benchmark scoring system, recipients are chosen based on whether the company meets certain criteria based on the four C’s. There is no rigid ranking system that only allows for a certain number of businesses to receive the award per category.

By using this benchmark scoring system, BBB is able to recognize ethical businesses across all industries. BBB recognizes that each business industry faces its own unique challenges when it comes to ethics.

If you have specific questions, feel free to contact us at communications@bbbinc.org.