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Small Business
​Excellence Awards

Celebrating Local Business

Presented by: 
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The Annual Small Business Excellence Awards recognizes local companies who through creativity, innovation and a drive for success make an impact on our business community and the people that they work with. We will be honoring the Small Business of the Year - with additional special awards for Community Service, Innovation, Impact, and Employer of the Year. We will also recognize two leaders from our nonprofit sector with the Charitable Partners Award.

If you are a business that excels in one (or all) of these categories, we would love to recognize you! Please fill out the application below and tell us why!

The winners will be announced at a celebration ceremony held at The Matthews House on Tuesday, May 16th from 11:30am - 1:30pm.

Application Criteria

For-Profit Awards

​This category includes five (5) separate awards in which your for-profit business can apply: ​Community Service Award, Employer of the Year Award, Impact Award, Innovation Award & Small Business of the Year Award
  • Be a member in good standing with the Cary Chamber of Commerce
  • Have been in business for at least two years
  • Have fewer than 50 full-time employees or less 
  • Be privately held - includes partnerships, LLCs, LLPs, C&S corporations, franchises and family businesses
  • May not compete for the same award 2 years in a row
  • See specifics on each individual award below

Charitable Partners Awards

This category includes two (2) separate awards in which your nonprofit business can apply: Small Nonprofit of the Year & Large Nonprofit of the Year
​
  • Be a member in good standing with the Cary Chamber of Commerce
  • Have been operational at least two years
  • Must be a recognized 501 C(3)
  • May not have received a small business award in the last three years
  • 2 Nonprofit Awards will be given - one for Small Nonprofit  of the Year (less than $500,000 annual budget), and one for Large Nonprofit of the year (more than $500,000 annual budget)
  • Charitable Partners will be judged on mission, impact, financial plan and success
  • May not compete for the same award 2 years in a row
​

For-Profit Application

Please fill out the application for the award with each of the​ descriptions listed below in mind.
​Innovation Award
Nominee must describe how their business has implemented or utilized a creative or unique element in the business. (i.e. a new marketing approach, new product/service, financing, distribution or human resource practice) If the nominee is an older business, the innovation will have enabled the business to excel in today’s environment.
 
Impact Award
Nominee must describe how their business has experienced exceptional growth in a quantifiable measure (i.e. sales, market penetration etc.) and has achieved leadership in their field.
 
Community Service Award
Nominee must describe how their business (owners & employees) have shared its success with the community in some significant way. (i.e. charity or volunteer work, church or civic work, Chamber of Commerce involvement or public service)
 
Employer of the Year Award
Nominee must describe how their work environment creates opportunities to thrive.  By excelling in their practices, the results would be notable (possibly including profitability, improved working relationships between employee and employer and enhanced employee satisfaction).

Small Business of the Year Award

To be eligible for Small Business of the Year – nominee must complete and meet criteria for each category listed above (Community Service, Employer, Impact & Innovation). 

*Application Deadline: Tuesday, May 2nd at 5:00pm
Your work will not save in this form until you press submit. It is recommended if you are looking to comeback and finish at a later date, to write your application in a separate software and then paste it in to the portal upon completion

    Nominee must describe how their business has implemented or utilized a creative or unique element in the business. (i.e. a new marketing approach, new product/service, financing, distribution or human resource practice) If the nominee is an older business, the innovation will have enabled the business to excel in today’s environment.
    Nominee must describe how their business has experienced exceptional growth in sales or some other quantifiable measure and has achieved leadership in their field.
    Nominee must describe how their business (owners & employees) have shared its success with the community in some significant way. (i.e. charity or volunteer work, church or civic work, Chamber of Commerce involvement or public service)
    Nominee must describe how their work environment creates opportunities to thrive. By excelling in their practices, the results would be notable (possibly including profitability, improved working relationships between employee and employer and enhanced employee satisfaction).
Submit

Charitable (Non-Profit) Application

Please email a summary of your business to cmoser@carychamber.com addressing the categories below. There are two (2) separate awards, Small Nonprofit of the Year & Large Nonprofit of the Year, however, there is only one application. You will be categorized into one or the other based upon your annual budget.
​Mission
Using your mission statement or description of your program of work, briefly describe the history of your organization and your long and short term goals.  Include your governing structure – i.e. Board of Directors, paid staff, Executive Director.
 
Impact
Describe the recipients of your service as well as an overview of your volunteer teams. Tell us a memorable story or one that embodies your organization.  Quantify how many benefit from your services and how many volunteers you have in place.  Explain what is expected from volunteers in service and time.  What, if any, volunteer recognition is in place.
 
Financial Plan
Describe the primary and secondary sources of revenue.  Have you been able to reach your budget goals?  Have you implemented new programs to achieve financial growth?  What percentage of funds is used for administration versus direct client assistance? 
 
Success
How does your organization measure success?  What plans are in place to ensure achievement in the future?

Thank You To All of Our Sponsors!

Presented by:
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Community Partner:
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Copyright Cary Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.
307 N. Academy St,   Cary, NC 27513
Phone: (919) 467-1016 | info@carychamber.com
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  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Events >
      • Monthly Events
      • Annual Events
      • Ambassadors
    • Four Pillars
    • Program of Work >
      • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • Why Join?
    • Ribbon Cuttings
    • Join Today
    • Business After Hours
    • Membership Directory
    • Member Profile
  • Calendar & Events
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar
    • Sponsor An Event
    • Leadership Cary 2023-24
  • The Cary Area
    • Cary Economic Development
    • Cary Maps & Greenway System
    • Downtown Cary
    • Town of Cary
    • Live, Work & Play
  • Resources
    • Business Directory
    • Job Board
    • Member-To-Member Discounts
    • Starting A Business in Cary
  • 2023 Member Appreciation Party