Judged independently
An independent, voluntary panel of business and community leaders — many of them past Torch Award winners — reviews and selects every recipient.
About the awards
Recognizing integrity put into action
The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics honors organizations whose leaders demonstrate a high level of personal character; ensure that the organization’s practices meet the highest standards of ethics; and consequently generate trust with its customers and the community.
Is this for you?
Eligibility and how it works
Accreditation is not required, and there is no cost to apply. Eligible organizations meet these criteria:
Located in BBB, NE California's 24-county service area.*
For profit and 501(c)(6) applicants must have a “B” rating with BBB
Torch Award only: Organizations must have been in business for three years;
Spark Award only: Business owners are 35 years old and under, or business owners have been operating for less than three years (as of September 20, 2026)
Has not received a Torch Award in the past five years in the same service area.
Government agencies are not eligible to submit an application.
Learn more about eligibilityHow the process works
1
Apply or nominate online
Complete the online application by September 20, 2026. You can save your progress and return later.
2
Independent judging
A volunteer panel scores each submission on character, culture, customers, and community against a published benchmark.
3
Winners notified
Recipients are notified by email in October 2026 and announced across BBB platforms.
4
Celebrated in person
Winning organizations are honored at an in-person awards event in November 2026.
READY TO APPLY OR NOMINATE?
Torch Awards for Ethics Application
Applications close September 20, 2026.
Need help or have questions? Reach out to us at [email protected]. If the form isn't loading, you can also apply directly on this page.
why the recognition carries weight
A fair, independent process
Scored on merit
Submissions are measured against a published benchmark for character, culture, customers and community — not ranked against one another.
Backed by BBB's mission
Made possible by the BBB Education Foundation and built on more than a century of work toward a trustworthy marketplace.
STANDING WITH ETHICAL BUSINESS
Thank you to our event sponsors
Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce
OneSource Wealth Management
Community West Bank
Morevolved
Adrian Blanco Jewelry
Sacramento Business Journal
Apollo Drone Services
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Lifetime use of the BBB Torch Awards Seal for advertising (as long as a “B” BBB rating is maintained)
Torch Awards trophy presentation by BBB (virtually or in-person)
Perpetual placement on the BBB Torch Awards website (as long as a “B” BBB rating is maintained)
Announcements made on BBB’s social media channels
Entries are evaluated by an independent, voluntary panel of judges comprised of business and community leaders. Your written submission, including examples, stories and documents, should provide a robust and accurate depiction of your organizations focus on character, culture, customers and community. Supporting documents and attachments can range from handbooks, internal documentation, or photos from events.
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.
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.
Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba, Siskiyou.