Awards Program Seeks to Recognize Businesses for Character, Culture, Community, and Ethics

Baltimore, Md. – Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland is presently accepting applications online for its annual awards program. Finalists and winners will be announced at the organization’s Big Blue Bash on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

To be eligible, a business or charity must be located in Greater Md., may not have won the award in the past three years, and qualify for a B rating or better. BBB Accreditation is not a requirement. Charities must meet BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

Early-stage organizations that meet the above qualifications and have been in business for three years or less can apply for BBB’s Spark Award. The Spark Award recognizes businesses that embody and cultivate the three C’s of trust, character, culture, and community. The application consists of three questions, and a short, smartphone video submission. Individuals can also nominate a business. Nominations are due by August 22.

Alternatively, organizations that have been in business for three or more years, and meet the eligibility requirements, are encouraged to apply for BBB’s highest honor, the Torch Awards for Ethics. Step one of the application is due August 22. The Torch Awards for Ethics requires applicants to submit a total of 12 examples describing how they incorporate their values on trust and ethics into operational standards, goal-setting, performance measurement, and employee recognition. Organizations have additional time to complete the application in its entirety, following a preliminary screening by program staff.

Sponsors of BBB’s Big Blue Bash include Affordable Basement Waterproofing, Inc., BGE, Best Buy Waterproofing, LLC, Brothers Services Company, Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company, EZ Shield, Hague Quality Water of Maryland, Inc., KatzAbosch, McCormick & Company, Inc., McGuire Moore, LLC, Merritt Companies, Oliver & Grimsley, LLC, Plumb Construction Company, and Tar Heel Construction Group.