RALEIGH, N.C. (December 31, 2025) – Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Carolinas (BBB) will be closing applications for all BBB awards and recognitions this coming Monday. All awards and scholarship applications are due on January 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
The 2026 BBB Torch Awards honor companies and charities within our service area which demonstrate a high level of character and ensure the organizations’ practices meet the highest standards of ethics. BBB serving Eastern Carolinas recognizes Torch Awards winners and finalists in individual, small, mid-size, and large business categories.
New to our awards lineup, the 2026 BBB Catalyst Award honors a nonprofit and mission-driven business within our service area who has made a significant impact upon their chosen sector. Applicants work beyond the business or corporate purpose of earning profits and seek to change the world for the better in some way. These companies are committed to solving social problems and demonstrate responsibility for supporting positive change.
The 2026 BBB Spark Award is bestowed upon business leaders aged 35 and younger or new entrepreneurs of any age operating a business for less than 3 years in our 48-county service area. Consumers and businesses can also nominate a business leader they feel is actively working to maintain an ethical marketplace while connecting with its community. The winner receives a cash prize!
The 2026 BBB Spark Jr Award recognizes current high school students who display entrepreneurship. Either a business operated by a student or a business model developed by a student for future execution will qualify. Applicants must reside or attend school within BBB of Eastern Carolinas’ 48-county service area. The winner receives a cash prize!
Our 2026 BBB Torch Scholarships are open to college-bound high school seniors and college undergraduates who reside or attend school within BBB of Eastern Carolinas’ 48-county service area. Anyone who would like to donate toward our scholarship program can do so here.
BBB will also be honoring Accredited Businesses who have been making the most of their accreditation and those who have long maintained their membership.
Businesses hoping to earn recognition from BBB may apply using our master application; it will lead applicants to their ideal award. You may also nominate other deserving businesses here.
Visit BBB’s website for more information on our Educational Foundation, our awards and scholarships programs. For more information about BBB, visit BBB.org.
About BBB of Eastern Carolinas
Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Carolinas is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 48 counties in North and South Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from over 5,200 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit BBB.org.
