Nominate A Business That Gives Back

Think about it. Do you know of a corporation or business that helps its community in some way, such as by donating money or supplies, or providing volunteer help? Help give that company some much-deserved recognition by nominating it for Washington’s highest civics award. The Office of Secretary of State is accepting nominations for a 2015 Corporations for Communities Award, and the deadline to nominate a company is Aug. 31.

Nomination forms can be found at http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/corpsforcommunities/ on the Secretary of State’s website.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman says the CFC program is a great way to salute deserving businesses that help their communities.

“We are lucky to have many Washington companies that are committed to giving back locally in various ways,” Wyman said. “Corporations for Communities offers a chance for people to help recognize these companies that contribute to local causes. I encourage people to make a nomination.”

Wyman will choose at least one large and one small corporation from among the nominations. (Companies with more than 100 employees are considered a large corporation, while those with 100 or fewer employees are considered a small corporation.) Her selections will receive a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion, the highest civics honor that the state awards. Winners for this year’s award will be announced in early October, and the awards ceremony will take place in late October in Wyman’s office.

Anyone is able to nominate businesses for the Corporations for Communities Award. Any sized for-profit corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or limited partnership is eligible for the award. Nominees need to be registered with the Office of Secretary of State and must be in compliance with state and federal laws.

The Corporations for Communities program began in 2009 as a way to recognize exceptional Washington businesses that demonstrate a commitment to giving in order to improve local or regional social and environmental conditions. The award program is run by the Corporations & Charities Division, which is part of the Office of Secretary of State.

Past winners are:

2009: KING Television (large), Composite Solutions (small)

Spring 2010: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (large), Aboda (small)

Fall 2010: GLY Construction (large), Dissmore’s Foods (small)

2011: Sterling Savings Bank (large), Korsmo Construction (small)

2012: TreeTop (large), Jim’s Pharmacy (small)

2013: Weyerhaeuser, Ikea, Town Auto Group, McClain Insurance, and Columbia Fresh Produce.

2014: John Howie Restaurants (large), The McGregor Company (large), The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse (small), The Barkley Company (small).

For more information about the Corporations for Communities program, contact program coordinator Patrick Reed at (360) 725-0358 or