Know the Categories
The BEAM Awards categories are built around 8 Trust Drivers—the real-world signals that a program is doing more than sounding good. These drivers help us recognize initiatives that close the trust gap with clear action, shared power, measurable outcomes, and systems-level impact.
Submit work launched after March 1, 2024, and select the Trust Driver(s) your program most embodies (choose the ones that best explain how your impact was achieved—not just what you did). If you’re transforming one block or a whole system, your story belongs here.
Rai-mon Nemar Barnes“In a time of uncertainty, we trust those who act—especially when that action is accountable to people and planet.”
Categories
We’re spotlighting recent projects (launched after March 1, 2024) that align with at least one of our 8 Trust Drivers—a blueprint for ethical, effective, and equitable systems change, connected to the UN SDGs and B Corp Certification Standards.
Compass™
Clear purpose & ethical direction
Description
Signals we look for
Transparent decision criteria and accountability practices
Evidence of stakeholder-informed tradeoffs
Consistency between values, policies, and actions
Tagline
Competency™
Capability & measurable outcomes
Description
Signals we look for
Measurable outcomes (not only activity metrics)
Operational excellence: timelines, governance, resourcing
Learning loops: iteration, evaluation, continuous improvement
Tagline
Culture™
Inclusive and empowering practices
Description
Signals we look for
Employee/community wellbeing practices with follow-through
Fair policies (hiring, pay, access, safety, care)
Evidence of retention, engagement, or trust growth
Tagline
Degrowth™
Circular, regenerative systems
Description
Signals we look for
Reduced resource intensity (energy, materials, waste)
Regenerative approaches (soil, water, ecosystems, community)
Long-term resilience over short-term growth
Tagline
Location™
Deep local or community-rooted relevance
Description
Signals we look for
Place-based outcomes (neighborhood, borough, region)
Local procurement, hiring, or wealth-building mechanisms
Respect for cultural context and lived experience
Tagline
Sustainability™
Environmental responsibility
Description
Signals we look for
Waste reduction, cleaner materials, or responsible sourcing
Climate adaptation/resilience efforts
Transparent reporting and targets
Tagline
Equity™
Fairness, justice, and access
Description
Signals we look for
Outcomes disaggregated by community/identity where relevant
Fair distribution of benefits, pay, ownership, and voice
Accountability mechanisms for harm and bias
Tagline
Systems™
Ecosystem-level or cross-sector approaches
Description
Signals we look for
Policy, infrastructure, or supply-chain shifts
Shared measurement and ecosystem accountability
Replicable models and durable governance
Tagline
BEAMS of Change(for individuals and New Yorkers)
Description
What this recognizes
Courageous leadership that moves others to act
Consistent contributions to a more just, regenerative economy
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We Value
Action over aesthetics
Co-creation over top-down
Outcomes over intentions