Is Benefit Corporation Certification Worth It for a Small Business?
For many small, purpose-driven businesses, yes but the honest answer depends on what kind of business you run and what you want certification to do for you. This guide walks through what BCFG certification involves, what it gives you, and how the answer changes from one type of business to the next.
What do you actually get from BCFG certification?
Certification is third-party proof that your business operates with accountability to people, planet, and profit. Certified businesses receive:
A BCFG certified digital badge and digital certificate
A confidential Certification Evaluation Summary Report from a senior evaluator, with scores across all eight standards, strengths, commentary, and a prioritized action plan
30 minutes of consulting time with a senior principal
Access to members-only Happy Hours for Good, workshops, and educational forums
Reminders and compliance help for annual recertification and the annual benefit report
The report gives you a roadmap: where you stand and what to work on next.
What does it ask of you?
The process begins with an online questionnaire covering the 8 certification standards. After you submit your questionnaire, certification typically takes about three weeks, and it is renewed annually. It takes real effort to document your practices, which is part of why the credential means something.
How does the answer change by type of business?
The value of certification looks different depending on how you operate. Start with the guide closest to your situation:
Other questions people ask before applying: what certification costs and what you get back, how it works if you already hold B Corp certification, how long it takes, and common myths.
Where does BCFG fit?
BCFG puts the Triple Bottom Line of people, planet, and profit into something you can be evaluated against. As BCFG puts it: the first benefit isn’t profit it’s purpose with proof. Certification is how you show the proof. BCFG is based in Oregon, and the same standards apply whichever state your business is organized in. BCFG has certified 100+ businesses across 13 states and one Canadian province.
Ready to learn more?
If you want a quick read on where you stand, take the free assessment quiz. When you’re ready, start your certification.
Related guides
What does BCFG certification cost? — fees, what’s included, and the return.
How long does certification take? — the process from questionnaire to certified.
Benefit corporation certification myths — common misconceptions, answered.
Benefit Corporation Certification — the overview of how BCFG certification works.