Do you know a business that gives back to its community? Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State has an opportunity to recognize those for-profit companies doing amazing acts and charitable things in the communities they serve.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman each year presents the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion award to a small group of businesses nominated by the public in the Corporations for Communities award program. The NASS Medallion is the highest national honor awarded by the association.

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

Nominations for this year’s award open July 17. Aug. 31 is the nomination deadline.

Nomination forms can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Anyone is able to nominate businesses for a 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 the Secretary of State and must be in compliance with state and federal laws.

In 2016, the NASS Medallion was awarded to: Birch Equipment, Inc. (Bellingham), Republic Services (Bellevue), U.S. Martial Arts Center, Inc. (Olympia), and Sleep Train (Kent), now branded as Mattress Firm.

Nominations included charitable activities like paid time for employee volunteer work, sponsoring and organizing fundraisers, matching of employee giving efforts, direct cash and in-kind donations, and building a community of giving within their organizations.