People have until Oct. 15 to nominate their favorite community-based businesses for a Corporations for Communities Fall Award, Washington’s highest civics honor.

Nomination forms are available on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.wa.gov/corps/corpsforcommunities/default.aspx.

The Corporations for Communities program was launched in 2009 by Secretary of State Sam Reed as a way to recognize exceptional Washington businesses that demonstrate a commitment to giving in order to improve local or regional social and environmental conditions. Twice a year, Reed selects one large and one small corporation from among the public nominations to receive a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion, which is the highest civics honor awarded by the state.

“There isn’t much more time for people to nominate a corporation for this special award, so I encourage them to do it soon,” Reed said. “You might know a business that has given back to the community by sponsoring youth teams or having its employees give their time and talents toward a community project. Or you might know of a corporation that has helped in some other way. This award is a way to recognize those corporations in Washington that try extra hard to make a meaningful difference.”

Winners for the 2010 Fall Awards cycle will be announced in November.

Anyone is able to nominate businesses for this honor. One person can nominate multiple businesses for this award. Any sized for-profit corporation, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), or Limited Partnership is eligible for this award. The nominee must be registered with the Office of Secretary of State and be in compliance with state and federal laws.