The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today began the nomination process for its annual Citizens Awards, which recognize businesses for their positive impact on society.

“Each and every day, businesses across America are using their products, resources, and partnerships to make our world a better place,” said Marc DeCourcey, senior vice president for the U.S Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center. “We encourage businesses of all sizes to submit a nomination for the corporate citizenship work they do in communities around the world.”

The Citizens Awards recognize the private sector’s most accomplished social and community initiatives. Dozens of industry leaders, including Citi, Discovery Education, GE, IBM, Shell Oil Company, UPS, and more have received a Citizens Award for their outstanding contributions in addressing some of society’s greatest needs.

This year, six program awards will honor businesses for specific strategic initiatives: Best Commitment to Education Program; Best Community Improvement Program; Best Disaster Response and Community Resilience Program; Best Economic Empowerment Program; Best Environmental Stewardship Program; and Best Health and Wellness Program.

Additionally, the Foundation will award two Best Corporate Steward awards — one for large businesses and another for small and middle-market businesses. These awards will honor companies for exceptional overall corporate citizenship portfolios.

The nomination process is open to businesses, chambers of commerce, and industry associations of all sizes. Details on each category’s eligibility and measurement criteria are available here.

The nomination period is open until June 3, 2016. An external review committee of experts in their fields will review the applicants and select three finalists in each category. Finalists will be announced on September 13, 2016. Winners, selected by another expert panel, will be announced at the Citizens Awards gala on November 16 in Washington, D.C.

 The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

U.S. community development. Emerging-market development. Disaster response. Social and environmental innovation – businesses play an important role in all of these issue areas.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center is recognized in the corporate citizenship field as a source for fresh thinking, exceptional networking and practical lessons learned.

The Foundation works to strengthen collaboration and understanding among companies, corporate foundations, chambers of commerce, NGOs, and governmental offices. As a partnership facilitator, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center helps businesses find highly effective ways to invest in local communities, be responsive in times of disasters, and improve lives and livelihoods across the globe.

The Foundations mission is to work with businesses to make the world a better place. Email ccc@uschamber.com to learn more.

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