Greater Good Award Nominations 2026
The Greater Good Awards recognize outstanding businesses and individuals who are dedicated to improving the quality of life and economy throughout the region. Chamber members are invited to nominate an outstanding business or individual to be considered for a Greater Good Award. Completed forms must be received no later than Friday, January 23, 2026.
AWARDS CRITERIA
All nominees must be members of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber and must have lived or worked in Clarke County, Frederick County, and/or the City of Winchester for at least the past three years. When submitting a nomination, please provide specific examples for criteria areas 1–5 for all nominees. For nominations in the Small Business and Large Business award categories, please also complete criteria area 6: Economic Impact. Submissions that do not include responses for all required areas (1–5 for all nominations, and 1–6 for Small and Large Business nominations) will not be considered.
These detailed examples will be reviewed by an independent panel of trusted community and business leaders to assess all nominees and select the award recipients. Three finalists from each category will be selected to move on to the final round, where one winner per category will be announced at the awards ceremony.
1. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Explain how this business or individual is civic-minded and contributes to the community through management and/or employee involvement in civic, charitable, and community activities. Describe their collaborative efforts within the business community and among peers. Provide specific examples of excellence in business, government, education, and/or volunteer participation that have helped make the Top of Virginia region a better place to live and work. For an individual nominee, please list charitable activities, political pursuits, religious affiliations, civic organizations, offices held, and dates of service (if known).
2. ETHICS/CHARACTER
Describe how this business or individual demonstrates strong ethical principles and integrity in their operations, relationships, and decision-making. Explain how their values are reflected in the quality of their products, services, or community interactions. Share why you believe they symbolize the spirit of the Top of Virginia region and embody the true potential of our community. Indicate how they actively work for “The Greater Good.”
3. LEADERSHIP
Provide specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated leadership. Explain how they motivate, guide, or inspire others to achieve goals that address corporate, community, or student needs. For an individual nominee, you may also include examples of their pursuit of education or training to reach a higher level of knowledge and expertise in their field.
4. CREATIVITY
Describe any innovative or creative products, services, programs, or approaches the nominee has developed or implemented. Explain how these innovations have contributed to the growth or improvement of the business or organization and how they have benefited the community as a whole or a specific segment of the community.
5. GROWTH
(For business awards) Describe how this business demonstrates a proven, positive history of continued growth and investment in the community (e.g., increased employment, expanded locations or services, revenue growth, or reinvestment in facilities or technology).
(For individual awards) Explain how the nominee’s efforts have contributed to their own professional growth and development, and/or the growth and development of their organization or the broader community.
6. ECONOMIC IMPACT
(For small and large business awards) Explain how this business makes a significant impact on the area’s economy. Examples may include job creation, expansion of services, investment in local facilities, support of local suppliers and vendors, or activities that attract customers, visitors, or investment to the region.
AWARDS CRITERIA
All nominees must be members of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber and must have lived or worked in Clarke County, Frederick County, and/or the City of Winchester for at least the past three years. When submitting a nomination, please provide specific examples for criteria areas 1–5 for all nominees. For nominations in the Small Business and Large Business award categories, please also complete criteria area 6: Economic Impact. Submissions that do not include responses for all required areas (1–5 for all nominations, and 1–6 for Small and Large Business nominations) will not be considered.
These detailed examples will be reviewed by an independent panel of trusted community and business leaders to assess all nominees and select the award recipients. Three finalists from each category will be selected to move on to the final round, where one winner per category will be announced at the awards ceremony.
1. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Explain how this business or individual is civic-minded and contributes to the community through management and/or employee involvement in civic, charitable, and community activities. Describe their collaborative efforts within the business community and among peers. Provide specific examples of excellence in business, government, education, and/or volunteer participation that have helped make the Top of Virginia region a better place to live and work. For an individual nominee, please list charitable activities, political pursuits, religious affiliations, civic organizations, offices held, and dates of service (if known).
2. ETHICS/CHARACTER
Describe how this business or individual demonstrates strong ethical principles and integrity in their operations, relationships, and decision-making. Explain how their values are reflected in the quality of their products, services, or community interactions. Share why you believe they symbolize the spirit of the Top of Virginia region and embody the true potential of our community. Indicate how they actively work for “The Greater Good.”
3. LEADERSHIP
Provide specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated leadership. Explain how they motivate, guide, or inspire others to achieve goals that address corporate, community, or student needs. For an individual nominee, you may also include examples of their pursuit of education or training to reach a higher level of knowledge and expertise in their field.
4. CREATIVITY
Describe any innovative or creative products, services, programs, or approaches the nominee has developed or implemented. Explain how these innovations have contributed to the growth or improvement of the business or organization and how they have benefited the community as a whole or a specific segment of the community.
5. GROWTH
(For business awards) Describe how this business demonstrates a proven, positive history of continued growth and investment in the community (e.g., increased employment, expanded locations or services, revenue growth, or reinvestment in facilities or technology).
(For individual awards) Explain how the nominee’s efforts have contributed to their own professional growth and development, and/or the growth and development of their organization or the broader community.
6. ECONOMIC IMPACT
(For small and large business awards) Explain how this business makes a significant impact on the area’s economy. Examples may include job creation, expansion of services, investment in local facilities, support of local suppliers and vendors, or activities that attract customers, visitors, or investment to the region.
