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.

Tom Hering 5/2/19 Tom Hering 5/2/19

How a Tiny California Town Underscored the Power of the Triple Bottom Line for Me

After just returning from an unforgettable trip to Northern California, I must say I have renewed and unabashed enthusiasm for the Triple Bottom Line movement. And it all started with our journey and quest for oysters and a stop at Hog Island Oyster Company.

It's what opened my eyes as we walked into this little gem of an oyster shack. For sure my mouth watered at the sight of the Sweetwaters and French Hog oysters that I saw in front of me. But what really got my attention …

MaryAnne Harmer 4/29/19 MaryAnne Harmer 4/29/19

How Benefit Corporations Fulfill Their Promise for the “Greater Good”

It’s in their DNA.

Serving the commons while making a profit.

It is one of the hallmarks of work culture in Benefit Corporations and it comes naturally to the Benefit Companies and Corporations we know.

For many of these companies, this purpose is equally as important as…

MaryAnne Harmer 4/18/19 MaryAnne Harmer 4/18/19

Why It’s Time for Kindness in the Workplace

Be Kind. It is the new mantra and each day we try hard to do kind things for others -- family, friends, and strangers we meet on the street. But it seems to be more challenging to practice this value in the workplace.

And it’s easy to understand why. After all…

Tom Hering 4/10/19 Tom Hering 4/10/19

3 Keys to Creating a Diverse (And Productive) Work Environment

Many small business leaders today are charged with the stewardship of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (D/E/I) work of their organization. Those who truly embrace this work as core to the achievement of their overall business goals will experience more challenges and, yes more rewards. The diversity literature indicates that holistically engaging diverse workers will lead to increased creativity and overall team performance when the differences are managed effectively.

So, what does this mean to you?

Tom Hering 4/4/19 Tom Hering 4/4/19

1 Simple Way To Clearly Differentiate Your Brand

It’s getting harder and harder to clearly differentiate your brand these days. And it’s not hard to believe given that the average consumer is exposed to anywhere between 4,000 and 10,000 ad messages a day! We remember not long ago when we quoted to prospects that the number was closer to 500.

Tom Hering 3/28/19 Tom Hering 3/28/19

Why a Company Should Certify: A Client's Review

As an advocate of the B Corporation movement and designation, I speak often about business certifications. Should a company apply for a certification? What’s the value in becoming certified? Is it worth the cost? Are some certifications more important than others?

In this post, I’ll try to answer some basic questions, framed in our company’s experience, and help you identify the kinds of designations you may want to avoid.

Tom Hering 3/25/19 Tom Hering 3/25/19

Why Become a Benefit Corporation: The Revealing Business Case

Certification as a Benefit Corporation business is what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk or LEEDs certification is to buildings. Benefit Companies and Benefit Corporations are for-profit companies certified around standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. In an era of ‘greenwashing’ and misleading labels…

MaryAnne Harmer 3/6/19 MaryAnne Harmer 3/6/19

5 Time-Tested Lessons for the Workplace (“Pura Vida” Anyone?)

We visited during the dry season, but that didn’t stop a few rain showers. But this is Costa Rica and it is an emerald world with frogs, butterflies, sloths, volcanoes and monkeys that enchant. This, of course, isn’t a travelogue but a blog about a word heard often in Costa Rica: Pura Vida. It’s a word …

Tom Hering 2/22/19 Tom Hering 2/22/19

How a Portland Creative Services Firm Found Its Big Idea in Legalese

Never underestimate the power of an idea whose time has come. And that time was just three weeks for creative wizard Julie Eickhof of Eickhof Creative Shop. You see, while changing her business structure to an LLC…

Tom Hering 2/20/19 Tom Hering 2/20/19

Confession from a Devoted Advocate for the Triple Bottom Line

As I begin my second year as an evangelist for the Triple Bottom Line movement, I need to clear my conscience. You see, I have not always been the greatest example of People, Planet and Profit. And I hate admitting that because I do believe you lead by example.

But my story needs to be told.

Seven years ago…

Tom Hering 2/5/19 Tom Hering 2/5/19

17 Uplifting Examples of Putting Soul Into Business

A year ago this week, my business partner and I introduced our book Putting Soul Into Business: How the Benefit Corporation is Transforming American Business for Good. It tells the story of the benefit corporation movement and all the reasons it’s not only right for business but it’s right for the times we live in.

Think…

MaryAnne Harmer 1/22/19 MaryAnne Harmer 1/22/19

10 Common Myths about Benefit Corporations

The Benefit Corporation movement has been around since 2010. Yet 9 years later, there continues to be confusion about this entity and its relation to Benefit Companies and B Corps. Here are the ten subjects most often asked about during our workshops in 2018.

MaryAnne Harmer 1/11/19 MaryAnne Harmer 1/11/19

2 Words To Ensure Long-Term Entrepreneur Success (Hint: Cause-Driven)

There is no magic formula for a startup. But in today’s world, it is not just about focusing on the bottom line of generating revenue and managing expenses. In 2019, customers make choices not solely on the cost and quality of a product or service, but whether the company itself is doing good. That means for entrepreneurs who want to ensure long-term success …

MaryAnne Harmer 1/3/19 MaryAnne Harmer 1/3/19

Why the Heck Should I Become a Benefit Corporation in 2019?

It’s a new year and you have been hearing things about this new business model. It’s called a Benefit Corporation.

Are you are intrigued?

It’s based on the principles of the triple bottom line of People Planet and Profit. Perhaps your business already practices some of the principles.

Tom Hering 12/18/18 Tom Hering 12/18/18

How an Oregon Website Management Company Created a Connection Way Beyond Digital

Everyone wants a solid, reliable connection to the digital world. But what if that connection was also part of building a better community and planet. Enter David and Angela Anderson of Canvas Host. Not only are they B Corp and 1% For the Planet certified, but they are a recently certified Benefit Corporation for Good.

Tom Hering 12/4/18 Tom Hering 12/4/18

How To Create a Sustainable Workplace and Community in 2018

Like many companies, we are always trying to be more sustainable. This is a basic tenet of the benefit corporation. But what does it mean to be sustainable and to actualize the 2nd P in the Triple Bottom Line?

MaryAnne Harmer 11/28/18 MaryAnne Harmer 11/28/18

5 Important Reasons To Get Certified as a Benefit Corporation

You are an entrepreneur or a small business doing all the right things.

You believe in giving back but you also want to make a profit.

And you care about the environment. For your kids and grandkids, for your community, for the world.

In sum, you believe in the triple bottom line of people, planet profit.

Tom Hering 11/26/18 Tom Hering 11/26/18

How a Portland Video Company Told a Powerful Story without a Camera

When done right, video creates memorable, powerful and lasting impact. The same can be said for the story founder Erik Croswell of Bridge City Media told us as he articulated the reasons why he and his company became a certified Benefit Corporation for Good…

Stories for the Benefit Corporations Community.