Bbb education foundation of eastern north carolina, inc. (bbbencef) spearheads programs that help to educate businesses, consumers, students and others. This includes, but is not to be limited to, having primary responsibility for the execution of the following programs: scambusters, in pursuit of ethics, in pursuit of ethics online and any other ethics training program sponsored by bbb serving eastern nc; torch scholarships and other scholarship programs for students in which there is involvement by either bbb educational foundation and/or bbb serving eastern nc; torch awards for marketplace trust; secure your id day; other such programs determined by officers and/or directors of bbb serving eastern nc and/or bbb educational foundation to be appropriate to the mission of bbb educational foundation.

Bbb torch scholarships and awards - the bbb torch scholarship program is an initiative totally aimed at students. It benefits accredited businesses because students must be recommended by an accredited business. It further benefits accredited businesses and bbb as a whole by bringing positive focus to bbb and introducing in a positive light many high school and college students to our organization. As an educational foundation project, contributions to scholarships can be accepted by a 501(c)(3) non-profit. In 2017, bbbefenc awarded 17 scholarships totaling $29,000. Of the total amount awarded, $18,592. 50 was raised by means of donations to the foundation specifically earmarked for scholarships. Bbb torch awards for marketplace trust is a nationwide bbb project managed by educational foundations around the country. Since all businesses, whether accredited or not, are eligible to apply, having an entity other than bbb be the controlling agency projects a greater feeling of fairness to all. Changing formats so that bbb serving eastern nc's annual meeting is a separate function from the bbb awards banquet, at which scholarships and torch awards are presented, benefitted both events. The torch scholarships and torch awards fit very nicely under one hat. secure your id day - secure your id day, like torch scholarships, does not fall under the category of core bbb programs (inquiries, complaints, etc. ). These events are a key to our outreach to our communities, are great publicity and get the bbb name in front of thousands of people in a positive light. Since we use these events to educate the public on identity theft and are promoting means of prevention, this is an educational program. A total of 1530 cars were serviced during the two syid events in 2017. Over 62,000 pounds of paper were collected and shredded and in excess of 20,000 pounds of electronics were recycled. scambusters - scambusters is a game designed to introduce groups to the variety and danger of scams to which they will likely be exposed. Participants learn to thoughtfully differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent offerings. The game, developed by the better business bureau educational foundation of eastern nc, deals in a fun manner with the serious subject of being scammed and the subsequent consequences. Scambusters went from being nothing more than an idea to a full-fledged program in 2017. Over 1,000 people were reached with presentations. The vast majority of audiences were high school students. It was important to teach scambusters' of how to recognize and avoid scams to groups about to enter their most vulnerable age. in pursuit of ethics (ipoe) - in pursuit of ethics is a teaching class for students of all ages, from middle school through grown adults. Some bbbs only present ipoe in schools, while some focus on sessions for businesses and professionals. Bbb serving eastern nc has chosen to follow a broad path and encourage as many as possible of all ages to keep ethical behavior as a priority.