Uncommonly solid

Are your business ethics strong?

Now's the chance to prove it.

The Uncommon Friends Foundation, a Fort Myers nonprofit that promotes character education in the schools and business ethics in the workplace, has opened nominations for the 2017 Business Ethics Award. Nominations, according to a statement, are due Sept. 1.

Businesses in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties are eligible, and business can self-nominate or be nominated by a third-party. The award, the release states, seeks companies that “consistently demonstrate a system-wide commitment to high ethical business practices.” Those practices, add the organization's website, include all aspects of a company's marketing, communications and sales practices and “ethical dealings with its employees, customers, vendors, shareholders, regulators, lenders and the community.”

Finalists will be announced in advance and honored at a Nov. 1 luncheon hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University's Lutgert School of Business and the Uncommon Friends Foundation, according to the statement. The Business Ethics Award winner will be revealed at the annual Uncommon Evening scheduled for Nov. 2 at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens in Fort Myers.

The Business Ethics Award dates back to 2006, when HomeBanc Mortgage Corp. won it. Last year's winner was Fort Myers-based CPR Tools, which specializes in data recovery and data security. Previous winners include CRS Technology, Sunshine Ace Hardware, Conditioned Air and the Shell Point Retirement Community.

An online nomination form and detailed submission guidelines are available at uncommonfriends.org. Independent judges will determine finalists and the winner.