Culture of CARE Awards

The Culture of CARE Impact Awards celebrate construction companies that are transforming their culture to create environments where every individual feels safe, respected, and valued. Rooted in the four pillars of the Culture of CARE pledge—Commit, Attract, Retain, and Empower—these awards recognize firms that are embedding inclusion and belonging as strategic business priorities to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to succeed based on their merit and performance, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment.

The four award categories aligned with each of the Culture of CARE pillars are:

1. Commitment to CARE
2. Attracting Talent
3. Retention and Belonging
4. Employee Empowerment

Companies may apply for one or more categories that reflect their strengths. One company will also be selected as the Culture of CARE Champion of the Year for demonstrating exceptional performance in at least one category and showing a holistic, integrated, and sustained approach to fostering a Culture of CARE beyond their company.

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Award Categories

1. Commitment to CARE

Honors companies that demonstrate visible, consistent leadership commitment to inclusion and psychological safety, internally and externally.

Evaluation Criteria:

    • Active engagement by executives and managers fostering inclusion and psychological safety across employees and external partners
    • Integration of CARE principles into mission, strategy, and operations
    • Allocation of dedicated resources (budget, staffing, time) for inclusion and wellbeing
    • Transparent, ongoing communication about inclusion efforts and outcomes

2. Attracting Talent

Celebrates organizations that lead with intentional outreach and inclusive hiring strategies to expand access to careers in construction.

Evaluation Criteria:

    • Implementation of fair and inclusive hiring practices
    • Targeted outreach to underrepresented communities for pipeline development
    • Internship, pre-apprenticeship, or mentorship programs enhancing job readiness and access
    • Partnerships with educational institutions, workforce boards, or community groups

3. Retention and Belonging

Recognizes companies that create an inclusive work environment where all employees and trade partners (subcontractors) feel respected, heard, and supported.

Evaluation Criteria:

    • Use of employee feedback tools to assess belonging
    • Establishment of employee community building efforts, such as employee networks, mentoring, or affinity groups, among others
    • Policies and programs that promote holistic well-being, such as mental health resources, inclusive benefits, and flexible work options, where applicable.
    • Workplace culture practices that reinforce inclusion, psychological safety, and trust, across job sites and offices

4. employee Empowerment

Rewards companies that intentionally cultivate a culture where every worker across job roles, backgrounds, and career stages is empowered to contribute, develop, and lead.

Evaluation Criteria:

    • Access to leadership development, upskilling programs, and promotion pathways for workers at all levels
    • Consistent and accessible mechanisms that allow employees to provide feedback across all job roles and locations.
    • Opportunities for all employees to shape company culture, share ideas, and participate in decision-making processes
    • Support for employee-led volunteering, advocacy, or community involvement that reinforces company values.

Culture of CARE Champion of the Year

This premier recognition is awarded to one company that exemplifies a deep and sustained commitment to building a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Companies that wish to be considered for the Culture of CARE Champion of the Year must apply for at least one individual award category and demonstrate exceptional performance in that area. In addition, applicants will answer two supplemental questions that assess how they are taking a holistic and integrated approach to the Culture of CARE—extending its principles beyond their internal workplace to influence their industry, partners, and communities.

Application Details

Rules/Guidelines for Submittal

  • Eligibility: Open to AGC member companies in good standing that have signed the Culture of CARE pledge.
  • Application Window: July 21-October 27, 2025
  • Application Format: All applications must be completed using AGC’s online application system, Smarter Select.
  • Application Fee: There is a $375 application processing fee for each award category your company applies for (e.g. if your company applies for one award category the fee is $375,  two award categories the fee will be $750, etc.). Application fee must be submitted through PayPal using the online application system. Other forms of payment will not be accepted.
  • Deadline to Apply: All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, October 27, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
  • Submission Materials: All entries and accompanying materials may be used by AGC of America to celebrate the achievements in diversity and inclusion by the company that submitted it. By submitting an entry, the entrant grants to AGC of America a broad, non-exclusive royalty-free license to copy, distribute, and otherwise use the entry and all accompanying materials (including materials in text, image, or other forms) in works both related to and unrelated to the AGC Culture of CARE Impact Awards. The entrant warrants that it has the right to grant such a license and that neither the entry nor the license infringes on the rights of any third party. Do not submit any materials to which you do not have the copyright and other proprietary rights.

How to Apply

Companies may apply for one or more award categories.

Each application should:

  • Respond directly to the application questions in the online submission form. Responses must be written in the form itself and not submitted as attachments.
  • Provide clear examples that align with the award’s evaluation criteria.
  • Highlight measurable outcomes or progress related to your inclusion efforts.
  • Include supporting materials (e.g. photos, testimonials, survey results, etc.) where applicable to enhance or support your responses.
  • Complete all required fields by the deadline: Monday, October 27, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible to apply for the Culture of CARE Awards?

  • Any AGC member company in good standing that has signed the Culture of CARE pledge is eligible to apply. If your company hasn’t signed the pledge, you can do so at www.buildculture.org/commit before submitting your award application. To look to see if your company has already signed the pledge, view the list of pledged companies at www.buildculture.org/impact-champions.

Can we apply for more than one award category?

  • Yes! Companies are encouraged to apply for multiple categories that reflect their strengths. Each application will be evaluated independently based on the criteria for that specific category.

How do we apply for the Culture of CARE Champion of the Year?

  • To be considered for the Champion of the Year, your company must submit an application for at least one individual award category and answer two supplemental questions. These questions assess how your company is taking a holistic and integrated approach to inclusion—extending the Culture of CARE beyond your internal workforce to impact industry partners and your broader community.

Who reviews the applications and how are winners selected?

  • Applications are reviewed by a panel of industry peers with experience in workforce development, human resources, and inclusion efforts. Each submission is scored against a rubric aligned with the published evaluation criteria. The Champion of the Year is selected based on exceptional performance and holistic application of Culture of CARE principles.

When and how will winners be announced?

Winners will be announced during the 2026 AGC Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, March 24-26, 2026 and recognized across AGC communications and social media. Award recipients will receive an award, digital badge and customizable social media materials to promote their recognition.

Who can we contact with questions?

For questions about eligibility, the application process, or the Culture of CARE program, please contact: Brynn Huneke, Senior Director of Culture of CARE and Member Engagement at brynn.huneke@agc.org.