EPIC Awards Gala

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Award Descriptions & Criteria

EPIC Organizational Awards Criteria:

• • • Has a growth mindset and supports/demonstrates equitable entrepreneurship throughout the organization’s services and programs
    • Creates an organizational culture that is progressive – not afraid to put new ideas into practice and has an intentional focus on belonging and inclusion
    • Seeks out innovative opportunities to be creative in their designated industry and community by leveraging the organization’s diversity
    • Gives back to the larger community and is actively collaborative with other organizations and initiatives to create a thriving West Michigan for all

Family-Owned Business: The Family-Owned Business of the Year designation is awarded to a business that is owned by family members/relatives. This organization must be a GR Chamber or Family Business Alliance member.

Woman-Owned Enterprise of the Year: The Woman-Owned Business of the Year designation is awarded to a business that is 51% woman-owned. This organization must be a GR Chamber member.

Minority-Owned Business of the Year: The Minority-Owned Business of the Year designation is awarded to a business that is 51% minority-owned. This organization must be a GR Chamber member.

Non-Profit of the Year: The Non-Profit of the Year designation is awarded to a non-profit organization with 50 or fewer employees. This organization must be a GR Chamber member.

Creative Business of the Year: The Creative Business of the Year Award is awarded to a business from the following creative industries: Advertising, Architecture, Art Schools, Art Agents, Creative Technology, Culture & Heritage, Design, Fashion, Garment & Textile, Film, AV & Broadcasting, Literary Publishing & Print, Music, Performing Arts or Visual Arts & Crafts, that is innovating, collaborating, and helping to showcase our region as a hub of creative talent. This organization must be a GR Chamber member.

Excellence in Business - Small: The Excellence in Business – Small Business designation is awarded to a for-profit or non-profit organization with less than 50 full-time employees. This organization must be a GR Chamber member.

Excellence in Business - Medium: The Excellence in Business – Medium Business designation is awarded to a for-profit or non-profit organization with between 50-150 full-time employees. This organization must be a GR Chamber member.

Excellence in Business - Large: The Excellence in Business – Large Business designation is awarded to a for-profit or non-profit organization with more than 150 full-time employees. This organization must be a GR Chamber member.

DEI Champion - Organization of the Year: The DEI Champion Organization of the Year designation is a recognition of  a member organization that is committed to and working to embed inclusive DEI strategies that specifically create an inclusive environment for historically underrepresented groups within their organization and the wider community. Underrepresented groups include individuals from various races and ethnic backgrounds, New Americans, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, individuals with various mental and physical abilities/disabilities, and veterans. This organization has shown the ability to lead in EPIC ways following the criteria below:

• Recognizes an organization that consistently pursues growth in it's DEI efforts, has committed to the DEI journey, and supports and/or demonstrates equitable entrepreneurship inside or outside of their organization
• Is committed to their organization's progressive culture by being forward-thinking and intentionally creating a sense of belonging and inclusivity through a top-down approach and DEI lens
• Seeks out innovative, inclusive and creative opportunities to enhance their employee's professional development opportunities, recruiting/hiring/retaining efforts, and supplier diversity
• Gives back to the larger community and is actively collaborative with other organizations, leveraging the power of diversity, to create a thriving West Michigan for all

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Questions? Contact Megan Steenwyk, Business Services Manager, at megan@grandrapids.org or 616-771-0310.