To help small businesses become more inclusive, we've gathered six valuable tips from CEOs and HR managers. These insights range from investing in marginalized clients and customers to adopting blind-recruitment and inclusion workshops. Dive in to learn more about these strategies for inclusivity.

This video would not have been possible without the exceptional leadership of Oregon House Representative Thuy Tran, Oregon Senator Michael Dembrow and a host of outstanding leaders heading certified Benefit Corporations for Good in Oregon.

Let me start by saying I’m no lobbyist or legislative expert. But I recently helped get a bill passed in the 2023 Oregon legislature.

It was the first time I’ve ever worked on such a challenge.

Thanks to efforts by my outstanding state representative and a very supportive community, I was able to get my bill supporting Oregon benefit companies (benefit corporations) to the governor’s desk and her signing on July 31, 2023.

Oregon is now the first state to offer benefit corporations a sustainable advantage. Thanks to her diligence, my Oregon State Representative Thuy Tran helped us pass HB 3572. Here'sthe story you'll find on our blog:

Oregon benefit companies will gain an advantage in competing for contracts from government agencies after Gov. Tina Kotek signed H.B. 3572 into law on Monday, July 31st.

 A contracting government agency will be allowed to select an Oregon benefit company over a contractor that is not a benefit company as long as the values of the bids are separated by less than 5%.

Oregon benefit companies will gain an advantage in competing for contracts from government agencies after Gov. Tina Kotek signed H.B. 3572 into law on Monday, July 31st.

 A contracting government agency will be allowed to select an Oregon benefit company over a contractor that is not a benefit company as long as the values of the bids are separated by less than 5%.

To help you understand the crucial steps toward becoming a sustainable business, we've gathered insights from twelve industry leaders and sustainability experts. From integrating sustainability holistically to building a business on integrity, these CEOs, directors, and other professionals share their top strategies for sustainability. Dive into their wisdom and learn how to make your business more sustainable.

As a full-service staffing agency for nonprofits, Nonprofit Professionals Now (NPN) knows a thing or two about doing good. It’s in their DNA. After all, many of the team members of NPN have experience with or working for mission-driven organizations.

Recently, the organization made the decision to become a part of the Benefit Corporations for Good community. They saw a natural fit as their values aligned with other organizations practicing a triple bottom line of people, planet and profit.

BCFG continues to work at helping small businesses become beacons of light to all stakeholders. Our community has now identified two of the 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to support as a community and as individual businesses.

Currently we are doing due diligence to find an organization to support and advocate for in regard to SDG #10, "Reduced Inequities." The change from "inequalities" to "inequities" was initiated by a few of our purpose-driven leaders

And so the adventure began.

Five years ago on April 1, Benefit Corporations for Good was born. It was sparked by the book Mary Anne Harmer and I wrote Putting Soul Into Business: How the Benefit Corporation is Transforming American Business for Good. And the 11 thought leaders interviewed for the book provided the fuel for our fire.

Now 77 small businesses, 8 states, and 1 Canadian province later…

Creating a sustainable future by providing clean, renewable energy is the mission of Advanced Solar Products. The solar developer and EPC has been delivering on that mission for over three decades primarily in New Jersey, New York, and New England.

But ASP wanted to do more. It’s why they chose to become a certified Benefit Corporation for Good. Using a third-party standard helps keep ASP not only accountable but sets an example for other companies in their region to motivate and inspire them to also adopt a triple bottom line and do good for people and planet.

From looking at everything with an equity lens to re-designing products with waste minimization in mind, here are 11 answers to the question, "What important actions has your business taken to show its commitment to social impact?”

• Make Equity a Foundational and Important Action Step

• Be Honest About the Social Issues You're Up Against

• Have an Honest Conversation About Who You’re Surrounded by

• Invest in the Well-being of Your Team

Do you know the critical information people are looking for on your website? Is it a strong value proposition? Is it a solid “about us” page? Is it social proof about your product or service claims?

All are important for sure.

But we’ve discovered that after working with dozens of small purpose-driven businesses over the past 5 years, three critical content pieces for stakeholders are absent from most purpose-driven small business websites.

Never is the quote "the sum of  the parts is greater than the whole" more underscored than when a community comes together. When it dares to ask questions about what it cares most about. Why it matters. And how it can help move forward together for the greater good. 

If you want to know what a Happy Hour for Good (HHFG) is all about, you’re in luck. It’s a quarterly gathering of our triple bottom line leaders and friends who are connecting, learning and laughing.

Our most recent HHFG was held in downtown Portland at Pacific West Bank, a certified BCFG. We held a group discussion about what of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals should we focus on and try to move forward as a community. We will be debriefing in the next month to choose one or two to support as a group.

Food Waste is a major contributor to carbon emissions globally. In fact, it is ranked the fourth highest priority solution by Project Drawdown for tackling the climate crisis.  Shockingly, nearly 40% of all food produced each year is lost or spoiled before it is able to be consumed. Solving the 1.3 billion tons of food wasted globally could end world hunger and feed up to 3 billion people each year. 

From growing awareness to setting ambitious goals, here are 13 answers to the question, "What are the best strategies you use to demonstrate servant leadership?"

• Gather and Spread Awareness

• Put Your Team First

• Lead by Example

• Offer Opportunities to Grow

• Practice Active Listening

• Prioritize Mental Health

• Stay Connected With Your Intentions

• Seek Opportunities to Empower

• Focus on Empathy

• Ask, “How Can I Help You?”

• Listen and React to Your Employees

• Take Responsibility for Employees' Mistakes

• Set Ambitious Goals