What is a benefit corporation?

A benefit corporation is a for-profit business that has made a legal commitment to more than just making money. It is a business structure, recognized by most U.S. states, that requires companies to consider how their business decisions affect people and the planet, not just their bottom line. In a traditional corporation, shareholders are typically prioritized. A benefit corporation legally requires consideration of employees, customers, community, and the environment in business decisions.

What is the difference between a B Corp and a benefit corporation?

A benefit corporation is a legal business structure, like an LLC or a sole proprietorship, created by filing paperwork with a state. A B Corp is a certification issued by the nonprofit B Lab after a review of a company's social and environmental practices. Benefit Corporations for Good certification is also a third-party certification, similar to B Corp, but built with small businesses in mind. BCFG is one of only four standards recognized by the Oregon Secretary of State and is the only one based in Oregon.

Why did we start Benefit Corporations for Good?

Benefit Corporations for Good was created because small businesses deserve a way to prove what they stand for. Many purpose-driven business owners are already doing right by their people and their community, but need a trusted and recognizable way to show it. BCFG was created as a certification that is meaningful enough to matter while being built for real small businesses, not only large companies with full-time sustainability teams.

Who is certification for?

Certification is for small businesses that care about their employees, their neighborhood, and the wider world they operate in. Certified businesses include law firms, solar companies, marketing agencies, wine bars, and other industries. Applicants do not need to be perfect, but they need to be serious about their commitment. The process includes a 60-question assessment across eight standards, followed by a short interview. For businesses with five or fewer full-time equivalent employees, the fee is $299.

BCFG: A B Corp Certification Alternative for Small Businesses

Benefit Corporation leaders gathering at Happy Hour for Good.

Benefit Corporations for Good (BCFG) is a third-party certification for small, purpose-driven businesses committed to a triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit and one of the leading alternatives to B Corp certification. Based in Portland, Oregon, BCFG is one of only four certification standards recognized by the Oregon Secretary of State, and has certified 100+ businesses across 13 states and one Canadian province. Where B Corp certification is built for companies of every size, BCFG is purpose-built for small businesses that want the credibility of third-party verification without the cost and complexity scaled for larger companies.

The first benefit isn't profit it's purpose with proof. That's the idea behind BCFG: a certification that gives small businesses real, third-party-verified proof of their social and environmental commitments, without asking them to compete against billion-dollar companies for the same badge.

BCFG certification works as an on-ramp to benefit corporation certification, a way to get verified, get recognized, and get proof in front of customers and partners, sized right for a business that's still finding its footing.

B Corp Certification vs. BCFG Certification

  
        Comparison
        B Corp Certification
        BCFG Certification
      
        Who administers it?
        B Lab
        Benefit Corporations for Good
      
        Primary audience
        Businesses of various sizes
        Small, purpose-driven businesses
      
        Third-party certification
        Yes
        Yes
      
        People, Planet & Profit
        Yes
        Yes
      
        Annual recertification
        —
        Yes
      
        Designed specifically for small businesses
        No
        Yes
      
        Oregon Secretary of State recognized standard
        Yes
        Yes
      
        Current certification fee
        Varies by revenue
        $299 for businesses with ≤5 FTEs
      
        Community/network
        B Corp community
        BCFG community

Comparison	B Corp Certification	BCFG Certification
Who administers it?	B Lab	Benefit Corporations for Good
Primary audience	Businesses of various sizes	Small, purpose-driven businesses
Third-party certification	Yes	Yes
People, Planet & Profit	Yes	Yes
Annual recertification	—	Yes
Designed specifically for small businesses	No	Yes
Oregon Secretary of State recognized standard	Yes	Yes
Current certification fee	Varies by revenue	$299 for businesses with ≤5 FTEs
Community/network	B Corp community	BCFG community

More Benefit Corporation Guides

Explore these guides to learn more about benefit corporations, certification, and responsible business practices.

What Is a Benefit Corporation? — Understand what a benefit corporation is and how it differs from a traditional business structure.
How to Become a Benefit Corporation — Learn the steps involved in becoming a benefit corporation.
Benefit Corporation Requirements — Explore the requirements businesses need to understand when pursuing benefit corporation status.
Benefit Corporation Benefits — Discover the potential benefits of operating as a benefit corporation.
Benefit Corporation vs. B Corp — Understand the differences between a benefit corporation and B Corp certification.

Explore Benefit Corporation Resources

Ready to learn more?

Start with our guide to How to Become a Benefit Corporation, or explore Benefit Corporation for Small Business.