Frequently Asked Questions

We fully understand that no leader nor their company is perfect. Each company is unique and has different experiences and policies. We encourage you to be creative and find examples of your leaders' and organization's practices that best exemplify how Character, Culture and Community are part of the DNA of your organization.

  • A variety of benefits come along with being a BBB Spark Award recipient, including:

    • Cash prize! 1st place - $2,000 | 2nd place - $1,000 | 3rd place - $500

    • 1 year of BBB accreditation for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. (valid for a one-year accreditation valued at $545 or $545 credit towards your accreditation.  All businesses are subject to normal accreditation research standards.)

    • Recognition in a news release shared with BBB media partners

    • Recognition on BBB’s Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky website and social media channels

    • Utilization BBB Spark Award recipient logo on your digital and print marketing collateral

    • The physical BBB Spark Award trophy to be proudly displayed at your company, symbolizing your commitment to ethics in the workplace!

  • BBB Spark Award is open to for-profit organizations located within BBB serving Middle TN & Southern KY service area. Eligible applicants must be from one of the following counties:

    Kentucky: Allen, Christian, Todd, Trigg, Logan, Monroe, and Simpson County.

    Tennessee: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Davidson, Dekalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, and Wilson County.

    Firms do not need to be BBB Accredited. At least one owner of the company must be 35 years or younger OR the business must be less than three years in operation under a business owner of any age to apply. There is no limitation on company size.

  • If your business does not have a business owner of 35 years or younger, your business must be less than three years in operation. Please contact us to discuss the details of your business by emailing integrityfoundation@gobbb.org

  • Yes, you must complete the entry form in order to considered for a BBB Spark Award.

  • No, this is simply a video to let the judges hear your voice and learn more about your team, so feel free to get creative!

  • BBB understands that when your business is first starting out you don't always have a physical office, and in today's world you almost don't even need an office. We do require that the majority of your operations are handled within the Middle TN & Southern KY region. (This doesn't limit the geographical locations of your customers/clients).

  • No, sole proprietorships are eligible to apply, but may require extra documentation if there is not enough supporting evidence of the business' existence.

  • The Spark Awards will be judged and will be evaluated by an independent, voluntary panel of judges comprised of business, community leaders and educators. Applications are judged on the Three C's of Trust criteria: Character, Culture, and Community.