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.

Why We Started BCFG (Benefit Corporations for Good)

Aug 18

Written By Tom Hering

Purpose is powerful. Purpose with proof is BCFG.

What if doing good in business could be more than a claim—it could be proven?

After two decades in advertising, BCFG co-founder Tom Hering saw a gap: small, purpose-driven businesses were doing meaningful work for their people, communities, and the planet, but often had no way to demonstrate it.

So Tom and co-founder Mary Anne Harmer created Benefit Corporations for Good—a third-party certification built specifically to recognize and validate the good work small businesses are already doing.

Learn more about Benefit Corporations for Good certification and what it means to lead a business with purpose.

Tom Hering

Why We Started BCFG (Benefit Corporations for Good)

Purpose is powerful. Purpose with proof is BCFG.

Why Purpose-Driven Businesses Don't Need a Funnel: They Need a Loop