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.

Benefit Corporation for Small Business

Benefit Corporation leaders gathering at Happy Hour for Good.

Say “benefit corporation” and people often picture a national brand with a sustainability department. That’s not the reality for most purpose driven small businesses, and it’s not who the model was built for either.

Small businesses are often already doing the work

Many small business owners are already weighing decisions by their effect on team members, customers, community, and environment. They just haven’t formalized it. Benefit company status gives that instinct a legal framework: put team member well being into decisions, reduce environmental impact, invest locally, build responsible purchasing practices, and make purpose part of the long term plan.

Do small businesses need to become B Corps?

No. Benefit corporation status and B Corp certification are separate paths. You can hold benefit company status without ever pursuing B Corp, and if you do want third party certification, B Lab isn’t your only option. Read our full Benefit Corporation vs. B Corp comparison here.

Where BCFG fits

We started BCFG because we saw small, purpose driven businesses doing real work but running into certification systems built for much bigger organizations. BCFG is one of four certification standards recognized by the Oregon Secretary of State, the only one based in Oregon, and we’ve certified 100+ businesses across 13 states and one Canadian province, from professional services to solar to manufacturing. Certified members join our in person and virtual Happy Hours for Good to trade notes on exactly this kind of work.

Certification is a 60 question assessment across eight standards. Clear 70% and you move to an interview. For businesses with five or fewer full time employees, it costs $299, priced for a small team, not a compliance department.

You don’t have to be perfect

This might be the most important thing to understand: responsible business isn’t a finish line. You don’t need a flawless sustainability program. You need a willingness to look honestly at your impact, and keep improving. The first benefit isn’t profit. It’s purpose with proof.

Is certification worth it?

If you just want a logo, probably not. If you want an independent assessment, a framework for improvement annually, and a credible way to show your commitment, it can be. That’s why we built BCFG as your on ramp to benefit corporation certification.

Learn more about BCFG certification.

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