Over the last five years, Virginia Community Capital has been busy building stronger, more vibrant communities. To date, the community development financial institution, or CDFI, has helped build or preserve more than 3,800 units of affordable rental housing, created (or helped communities hold on to) more than 1,100 jobs, and financed four community healthcare centers [...]

When Jeff Mendelsohn started New York Recycled Paper in 1991, he did so because paper seemed to him to be the industry that was most struggling with change. “Paper is huge, and it’s one of the most energy- and resource- intensive industries in the world,” he said. A decade later Mendelsohn, now the President and [...]

Think back to when you were a kid – all those lunch-room food swaps, cookies at little league games, and birthday cakes at parties. Baked goods made events more fun and brought your friends and you together. Now imagine being the only kid who couldn’t take part because you have food allergies and the treats [...]

Written by Karen Parolek of Opticos Design. I feel like I’m tempting the fates, writing on this topic today. I just got my second biennial email reminding me that it’s time to re-certify as a B Corp. As we have done at least twice before, we must take the B Impact Assessment to evaluate our [...]

  Patagonia is an icon in values-led business and sustainability, and its certification in 2011 elevates the community of B Corps in terms of size and credibility. In his book Let My People Go Surfing, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard says he wants Patagonia to be a company that will last 100 years, and in doing [...]

Why send your recycling to waste management when you could get something out of it first? Four B Corps asked themselves this question and recognized the business opportunity in doing good by the planet. They got creative and two partnerships were formed, one between Preserve and Recyclebank, the other between Method and United By Blue, which [...]

Being “green” is a team effort – at least that’s Milepost Consulting‘s philosophy. The B Corp is all about using teamwork to help companies engage stakeholders, build capacity, and implement higher environmental standards. Milepost’s own team, a group of professional individuals from diverse backgrounds (including a pshycologist, a scientist, an organic farmer and more), works [...]

One Parking Spot Can Help Change the World. Did you know that 2 billion pounds of books are annually sent to landfills across the world? How about that 1 in 7 adults are functionally illiterate?  Better World Books is working to decrease these numbers by providing a much needed (and free) outlet for pre-loved books [...]

Streetfootballworld, an international network of organizations, has historically only had non-profit network members. However, this month, One World Futbol Project was able to break the mold – because they are a Certified B Corporation!  Streetfootballworld sees football (soccer) as a tool to empower disadvantaged young people all over the world and create social change. In fact, [...]

 Healthy food is a learning tool. A well-balanced meal can provide students with the energy they need to be alert and productive in class. In fact, recent nutrition studies have proven a direct link between a child’s intake of healthy food and academic achievement. The food itself also serves as an opportunity for education. Revolution [...]

Eleek is one of the newest additions to the B Corp family. Based in Portland, OR, this sustainable design and manufacturing firm specializes in beautiful, handcrafted lighting, sinks and hardware fixtures. Additionally they offer design, light restoration and manufacturing services based in a history of pattern-making and craftsmanship. With a strong commitment to a reduced [...]

Alleviating global poverty and stemming environmental deterioration are not small or easy problems, but a new network of investors is willing to put their money towards this mission. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)- comprised of large institutional investors such as JPMorgan Chase, TIAA-CREF, Prudential, and Rockefeller Foundation – is working with B Lab to [...]

Founded in 1975 and one of our first B Corps, Untours offers a truly unique travel experience. Rather than simply seeing the artificial face of Europe, travelers can integrate into local culture. Hotels and bus tours are replaced with apartment living and local contacts. Set schedules are tossed out in favor of personal preferences and [...]

“For every thousand strikes at the branch, one strike at the root.” Method has been offsetting the carbon footprint for both employee travel and the manufacture of our plant-based soaps and personal care products since 2004. But last fall we started to think about a better way to invest that money. Working with carbon offset [...]

Little Pickle Press, one of our newly certified B Corps, has achieved excellence in almost all areas of our B Impact Assessment. A children’s media publisher, this organization is dedicated to providing tools which cultivate conscious, responsible children. With products created to inspire, readers are encouraged to help those in need, celebrate diversity and protect [...]

The history of King Arthur Flour can be divided into two parts: there was the first 200 years, when ownership passed down through five generations of the Sands family; then there are the past 19 years, when King Arthur’s employees assumed ownership, and things really started to click. The employees were given control when the [...]

Last Wednesday, when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced his decision about Cape Wind, he said a lot.  But the best thing he said was, quite simply, “This is the final decision of the United States of America.”  Final Decision.  Good decision, great decision, unequivocal decision – by the United States of America!  How rare is that? During [...]

One of our newest additions, B-Line, Sustainable Urban Delivery became a B Corp in February of 2010. This Portland, Oregon based trike-delivery company offers environmentally-responsible delivery and advertising options to local businesses. The substitution of electric-assisted trikes for trucks reduces congestion and CO2 emissions, while providing local jobs. Despite their youth and economic pressure, B-Line [...]

We invite you to Better Know Sunrise Community Bank of St. Paul, Minnesota, a certified B Corporation since June 2009. Based on the premise that social responsibility is their duty, the three banks comprising the Sunrise Bank family develop strong, urban communities through innovative banking.This B Corporations invests in inner-city neighborhoods and has recently been [...]

B Lab’s new social impact investment tool, GIIRS, has been profiled in the Financial Times. This is an exciting step towards directing capital towards positive change. As co-founder Andrew Kassoy is quoted, “A lot of capital is being kept on the sidelines by the lack of a useful tool.” We hope to provide the solution [...]

The World Cup is coming. And there is more to the fierce competition than what we see on the pitch. Look at fierce competition behind the soccer ball itself. China and Pakistan aren’t likely to face off on the field, but they do go head to head in the competition of soccer ball creation every [...]

The name sums up the philosophy: King of Prussia Family Wellness Center. At this B Corp, family is the priority, whether it be the employees’ or the clients’. The entire concept is built upon providing full, custom wellness service for everyone. Whether it be an immediate service in house or referral and follow-up, the team [...]

Barkwheats was founded to serve a purpose, rather than a profit. Inspired by their dogs and a desire to support local small-scale, organic agriculture, this B Corp found its calling in dog biscuits. Grain-free, nutritious and low impact, kibble has never been so beneficial. Ingredients were carefully chosen so as to be available locally and [...]

Sanford Lewis, the attorney for Harrington Investments behind the recent Intel decision to include sustainability as a required consideration of a committee of its Board of Directors, posted this interesting piece on CRSWire. It is about different approaches to corporations adopting the Precautionary Principle to corporation risk management and governance. It is a great read, so check it out.

“Better for people, better for planet, better for performance.” This is how Atayne inspires positive environmental and social change through the power of active lifestyles. Making high-performing athletic gear from “trash”, this B Corporation is re-imagining sports. Starting with plastic bottles, coconut and crab shells and recycled garments, Atayne transforms these into performance tops featuring [...]

You’ve probably heard all the fabulous things you get when you move your technology into “the cloud”…automated back-ups; ability to forgo networks; automated upgrades; lower maintenance; virtual office space, among many others.  Idealist Consulting specializes in moving and supporting organizations with “getting into the cloud” and with over 170 clients, we know what it takes [...]

Free Range Studios lives by the motto, “Creativity with a Conscience”. Rather than focusing on products, this B Corp sells ideas to transform society and create a more just, sustainable planet. Utilizing the full reach of media and powerful storytelling, Free Range promotes the missions of non-profits, political campaigns and socially responsible businesses, or as [...]

It may seem unlikely but with Baypoint Benefits, it is easy to get excited about insurance. With their unique approach to providing complete benefits services, this B Corporation is able to offer no cost, custom plans by basing profit in commissions and operating in a paperless facility. With 24 hour HR consultants and a focus [...]

An Open Letter to B Corp Marketers: It’s funny how the ways we choose to promote sustainability are often the furthest things from sustainable. Marketing – as a business tool – is not sustainability; yet many of our other business functions are. As a career marketer and environmentalist, I have struggled with this concept. Today’s [...]

The state of our planet is a dismal one.  The issues that we face as a global community are incredible with regard to our natural resources and our planets ability to continue in an environmentally stable fashion.  We are at a point in history where it appears that every resource available is in limited and [...]

By now, you’ve probably heard about the benefits of biking. Trading in your SUV for a two-wheeler cuts carbon, saves fuel and money and is generally better for your health. However, for many, this remains unattainable. Where does one park? How does one remain clean? Well, BikeStation is working to change all that. By providing [...]

Further the Work bills itself as a full service consultancy providing nonprofit organizations with strategic planning, organizational development, grant writing, fundraising and project management. However, it is so much more. This B Corporation is a bridge builder: from goals to dreams, from community members to organizations and most of all, across sectors. With a focus [...]

Today’s business world is changing at a dizzying pace. We’ve recently experienced a financial crisis, huge technology shifts and a multitude of new innovations. The old ways of business no longer apply and this can be a confusing, isolating experience. It is with this problem in mind that Founder and President Robert Craven and Scale [...]

Southern Energy Management became a Certified B Corporation in late 2009. They’ve now created this wonderful video to explain why it is important and what this means for their company. We love their creativity in spreading the word and are very proud to include them in our community. Visit their site to learn more. Interested [...]

Will pigs ever fly? In 401(k) circles there is a saying: Educating employees on investing is like teaching pigs to fly; They never will fly, and get sick of being thrown off the roof. Now before you think this is rude and elitist let me explain. A Disconnect A one on one session explaining principles [...]

An “online bookstore with a soul” – Doesn’t that already sound better than typical retail? Harnessing the power of the internet,Better World Books sells second hand and donated books to fund high-impact literacy programs throughout the world. Using the strength of numbers, this B Corp has managed to channel the reach of many to raise [...]

I cannot deny it, solar is sexy.  Everyone is talking about it. There are government incentives and rebates to help defray some of the cost, customers and employees are asking about it, and there is no arguing with the fact that we need an alternative to coal, nuclear, and fossil fuels.  But slapping solar panels [...]

“A mindful purchase that creates balance between the style-conscious fashionista and the cause-related passionista alike.” This is how President of Indigenous Designs, Matt Reynolds, describes his products. Creating organic, fair trade apparel, this B Corp is built upon a global, socioeconomic trade-model which encourages indigenous peoples to organize. They then go even further and help [...]

Mindfulness is all about extending awareness into every moment of every day. It is about living in the present and bringing this consciousness to every aspect of your life. This is how Stuart Rudick of Mindful Investors approaches business. As he’ll tell anyone, he is fortunate enough to “marry my personal passion and my personal [...]

The recent events associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill seem to be in need of a bit of explanation. What we the public have been told is at best misleading and at worst an outright lie. We are facing the worst environmental disaster in the history of this country.  Never before have so many [...]

In his New York Times Op-ed piece, “Don’t LEED Us Astray” (10 May 2010), Alec Appelbaum addresses an essential problem of the LEED rating system: it measures the possibility of a building performing in a sustainable manner, instead of the building’s actual performance. This is a valid and understandable complaint. However, there exists an additional [...]

C. K. Prahalad’s death a few weeks ago caused some reflection on my “for-benefit” business education. Some may not have known the author of “The Fortune At The Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits,” and the man that Business Week called “a brilliant teacher at the University of Michigan, [someone who] may well [...]

Forward thinking is what Greenheart Global is all about. A green product development, manufacturing, design and distribution company, this B Corp considers not just production but disposal as well. While most design companies feel their task is complete as soon as the product leaves the cash register, Greenheart Global conceptualizes the entire life-cycle. Made from [...]

Thomas Friedman wrote several weeks ago about our interconnected yet uncertain future. “In a world where our demand for Chinese-made sneakers produces pollution that melts South America’s glaciers, in a world where Greek tax-evasion can weaken the euro, threaten the stability of Spanish banks, and tank the Dow, our values and ethical systems eventually have to [...]

Bloomberg Businessweek has just released their Second Annual U.S. Roundup of America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs and seven B Corps have been included. Selected from more than 200 candidates, these B Corps are: Eleek Napo Pharmaceuticals DripTech Mobis (Bikestation) The Redwoods Group Source 44 Sustainable Harvest Congratulations, this is a huge accomplishment! Please support these companies [...]

By Janine Kubert, Director of Operations, iReuse “…[T]he goal of sustainability is to increase long-term shareholder and social value, while decreasing industry’s use of materials and reducing negative impacts on the environment.” (Source: EPA) Changing Incentives I was in a meeting with a property management client recently, giving the lead engineer a report on the [...]

Who says being green doesn’t pay? Recyclebank has found a great way to motivate people to recycle: Reward them. By becoming a long-term contractor with various cities, this B Corp can track and measure a household’s recycling and quantify it into RecycleBank Points. These can then be used to shop with over 2,000 different businesses. [...]

Wall Street caused the BP disaster.  Short-termism is the problem.  The Benefit Corporation is a solution. The Old Rules For public companies, decisions are driven by the quarterly earnings call.  Meet the numbers, keep your job.  Beat the numbers, collect your bonus.  The rules of this game are stunningly simple.  And they are backed by [...]

Diana Aviv, president of Independent Sector a coalition of charities and foundations, recently expressed her concern over socially minded corporations, like B Corps, being granted tax exemptions. In a video posted at Philanthropy.com, she notes that this may take resources away from nonprofits and weaken our nation’s budget. As the co-founders of B Lab, the [...]

Flexible workforce: A Growing Trend IBM, which employs about 400,000 people around the globe, is considering converting three quarters of its permanent staff to contractors over the next seven years, according to Personnel Today. While an IBM spokesman denies that there are any such plans, it’s hard to imagine there have not been – at [...]

The June 12 NY Times contains an article entitled “Those Earth-Friendly Products? Turns Out They’re Profit-Friendly as Well” in which the writer points out the economic benefits for companies of selling consumer products that are green – both higher revenues from marketing green consumer products, and expense reductions from green efficiencies.  While we should all [...]

We all know the importance of our purchasing decisions but sometimes it can be down-right overwhelming. We now have thousands of choices and need PhDs just to understand all the labels and certifications. Luckily, there’s GoodGuide to take care that. Created to empower the public with better information on the environmental, social and health performance [...]

B Lab: In April, Maryland became the first state in the nation to pass Benefit Corporation legislation, creating a new class of corporation which is legally obligated to create benefit for society, as well as shareholders.  We’re here with Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin.  Sen. Raskin was the sponsor of Benefit Corp legislation in Maryland. [...]

Started in a small Oakland, CA apartment, Numi Organic Tea has grown from one sister-brother duo’s imagination to a nationally distributed, organic, fair-trade tea company. Just like their original flowering teas, this B Corp has blossomed to become a symbol of good products and business practices. In addition to their dedication to organic and fair [...]

The New York Times this past weekend included an article describing the World Cup soccer jerseys as an example of a green product that is not from a green company (Nike). My fellow Forbes blogger Gregory Unruh recently delved deeper into this topic, asking if green and brown (e.g. not sustainable) products can exist within [...]

Whether it’s preventing drownings or ensuring the best possible workenvironment, The Redwoods Group is all about people. Speaking with a wide-cross section of employees, it’s impossible to miss that these are top-quality professionals who have chosen to commit themselves to a business with a higher mission than money. Jim Fryling, General Counsel and Sr. VP of [...]

So you’ve finally found the right partner, with shared values, goals and intentions. Now you need a ring. However there are so many issues beyond fit, design and clarity. The traditional diamond industry is awash with problems from exploitative auction houses to the influx of blood diamonds, which originate in war zones and finance more [...]

You are sitting at your desk, coffee in hand. It’s Saturday morning and you have a lot on your mind. Beyond the usual errands and chores, you want to make time for the things you really care about. For many of us, this means a better lifestyle and future. Care2 Founder and CEO, Randy Paynter, [...]

By Gina Williams, Co-Founder, and Derek Rogers, Staff Writer, of the Autonomie Project When the first decade of the new millennium came and went, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by personal electronics, a modern-day necessity. Chances are, the first thing you look at in the morning is your BlackBerry, iPhone, or other Smartphone. Perhaps you [...]

Yesterday, June 28th 2010, Senator Jamie Raskin of the Maryland State Senate talked about Benefit Corporations on the Kojo Nnamdi Show of WAMU 88.5 FM in DC. The Senator was joined by  Jeffrey Hollender, Co-founder of Seventh Generation, and Will Wilkinson, Research Fellow at the Cato Institute. They discussed Corporate Social Responsibility, the Benefit Corp [...]

It’s raining, hard, and suddenly the room is black. The power is out – no microwave, no lights, no computer. You never realize how important electricity is until it’s gone. However for billions of people around the world this is the norm. They are forced to rely on traditional methods of lighting and nearby canals [...]

Becoming a certified B Corporation has been a good experience as it’s taken already established thinking and caused us to look even deeper at how we can make a greater impact.  Having four wonderful children (all under 10) at home makes me a fan of many animated movies; my favorite being Finding Nemo.  The scene [...]

1. You’re creating a new class of corporation. The Benefit Corporation benefits society as well as shareholders. Unlike traditional corporations, Benefit Corporations must create a material positive impact on society and the environment; consider how decisions affect workers, community and the environment; and publicly report their social and environmental performance using established third party standards. [...]

This afternoon, I listened in on the B Corp quarterly update call.  Almost two years ago, Atayne became a certified B Corporation. Unlike traditional corporations, Certified B Corporations are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on the long-term interests of their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment. The ultimate goal of [...]

Life is unpredictable and sometimes you need financial help. However, with employers no longer offering to give salary advances, for many pay-day loans have become the only option. These lenders charge exorbitant interest rates and demand repayment within two weeks. This often leads to the accumulation of larger debt. Last year over 20 million Americans [...]

There was a article recently written regarding “agroecological farming”, that while a mouthful to say is fairly simple in it’s premise.  Take care of the land, and it will take care of you.  It’s a statement that I fully believe in, and I believe that going back to supporting small scale, organic agriculture is a [...]

Brand loyalty is built on trust. Trust is built on transparency. That’s why Harvard Business Review devoted its April issue to the topic. The trust issue is at the core of last week’s New York Times article about Honest Tea’s ongoing sale to Coca-Cola. The article shined a light on Honest consumers’ worst fears–that “big bad corporate Coke” [...]

You can say we need more green and organic products, but are you helping make it possible? So often we hear about the importance of sustainable lifestyles, whether it be recycling or purchasing fair trade. But here’s one option we don’t talk about: investing alongside your values. Frequently our portfolios don’t match our other actions. [...]

President Obama signed into law yesterday the Dodd-Frank Bill, financial reform legislation that is both a response to the recent near economic meltdown and an attempt to prevent similar disasters in the future. Before listing highlights of the bill, here are a few broad-based thoughts.  First, there is an old saw to the effect that generals are [...]

Written By: Matt Kopac, iContact Corporate Social Responsibility Consultant On June 30th, 2010,  iContact was granted B Corporation status by the 501(c)3 non-profit organization B Lab, which developed the B Corporation (B Corp) standards and administers the certification (www.bcorporation.net). B Corp certification is for so-called “triple-bottom line” companies who believe that businesses can and should [...]

Coffee is part of a typical morning, brewed and poured without a second thought. But who actually made your coffee? Where did it come from? Sustainable Harvest believes in the importance of these questions. An importer of fair trade, organic coffee, this B Corp leads the industry with their groundbreaking Relationship Coffee Model approach to [...]

Business accounts for over 75% of our nation’s GDP— this provides businesses with a tremendous opportunity to create results beyond financial return. We are living in an era of rapid change, with the incredible resources of inspiring entrepreneurs and businesses addressing major social problems. One great example is Southern Energy Management, which offers an array [...]

Like many of you, my August 9 newsstand edition of Forbes appeared in my mailbox the other week. Did you notice the full-spread advertisement just three pages in, with the title “A watt saved is a watt shared” and a compelling set of juxtaposed photos from Schneider Electric? This $16 billion company is bringing energy management [...]

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste”, or so the saying goes. But what about all those great ideas you keep to yourself. Each and everyone of us has created something useful that is now just sitting on our hard drive. Imagine if we all shared our knowledge, made it so others with similar [...]

At Feelgoodz, we constantly thrive to launch philanthropic projects in the areas of resource extraction and product manufacturing.  To us, this closes the loop and keeps microeconomies supported. In the true spirit of nourishment, we have launched The 5-5-5 Flip-Flop Feeding Fiesta campaign.  For every pair of Flip-Flops sold, 5 children in Thailand will be [...]

When I became a Truman Scholar back in 1989, my vision of a career in public service was narrow:  I would work on policy issues in Washington, D.C., then run for office and serve my society.  When politics started to seem bitter and ugly, I kind of gave up and joined the private sector.  As [...]

It’s that time again, time for back to school shopping. Your child probably has a list a mile long, ranging from books to sneakers. They are concerned about looking cool, you’re concerned about quality and cost. But what about the costs to our planet and community? When you support a Certified B Corp you’re supporting [...]

“Highland Craftsmen is a company that makes extraordinary products that will help support a future that we can all live in.” Chris McCurry, co-owner of Highland Craftsmen Inc, talks about her company with such passion that it’s hard not to be energized. But she’s not just ideals.  “We’ve gotten on the ground and have worked [...]

A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has revealed that Americans are widely confused about energy conservation and efficiency. Clearly we need guidance. Many believe they save energy with small behaviors that actually achieve very little, such as turning off lights and unplugging appliances. More significantly, there is a widespread [...]

Like many entrepreneurs, I began my company with little idea of how difficult it would be to succeed in the industry I set out to work in – in my case, specialty coffee importing. The market was dominated by large multi-national firms, and I saw a need to help farmers benefit by establishing greater transparency [...]

Is your “Conflict Free” diamond really conflict free? If the situation in Zimbabwe is any indication, there’s good cause for doubt. Yet there’s also reason for optimism as mission-driven companies and organizations rally to revolutionize how diamonds are traded in response to consumer demand for fairness and transparency. For years, Human Rights Watch and others [...]

Today marks Women’s Equality Day and the passing of the 19th Amendment. In celebration, we would like to recognize the many wonderful, women-owned and run B Corporations. Women-owned firms (50% or more) account for 40% of all privately held firms, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. However, despite continual progress, women still lag [...]

Congratulations Partnership Capital Growth for making Inc. Magazine’s list of our nation’s fastest growing companies! Partnership Capital Growth is a full-service, boutique investment bank that focuses exclusively on the healthy, active and sustainable living marketplace. They are ranked as the 410th fastest growing private company with a 718 percent revenue growth between 2006 and 2009. [...]

We are excited to announce that B Corporations are partnering with the Green Chamber of Commerce. A diverse group of Bay Area businesses are working with the Green Chamber of Commerce and B Corporations to help build sustainability into their business practices. They will share their experiences at an event on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 [...]

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA, home to such brands as Adidas, Levi’s, and Nike), recently launched its benchmarking Eco Index worldwide, hoping to cement it (and itself) as the leading sustainability measurement tool for apparel and more. In fact, this group clearly has its sights set on taking this tool beyond its own industry boundaries. Although [...]

In his New York Times article, “Banks Grow Weary of Environmental Risks”, Tom Zeller Jr. describes recent trends by a number of global banking conglomerates to reduce their exposure to environmentally destructive borrowers.  While unable to commit to a complete cutting of the umbilical cord with companies that are “blasting off mountaintops to reach coal” [...]

Last Thursday, B Lab hosted a release party for Victory Village, the fantastic beer created through the partnership of B Corp One Village Coffee and Victory Brewing Co. The two companies teamed together to create a wonderful combination of coffee and beer in the form of an American Brown Ale.  Food from B Corps Greyston [...]

One of our great B Corps, the Clarity Project, was recently featured by fellow B Corp, Care2, an online community of over 14 million. After learning more about the Clarity Project’s work with fair diamonds, many readers left interesting comments and soon a great conversation was going. Below are a few highlights, but please visit [...]

More than just another marketing company, BBMG is committed to walking the talk. Built upon the philosophy, “You are what you do”, the people of BBMG work at the intersection of branding sustainability and social purpose. With a belief in the power of the conscious consumer, this B Corp works with forward-thinking companies in an [...]

There’s a special joy in finding “it” – the gift that’s perfect, that no one else would find. UncommonGoods knows this all too well. An online marketplace featuring products as unique as its customers, this B Corp has handmade, recycled or up-cycled products from around the world. They have an item to speak to every [...]

It’s not often that a company completely redefines a product. However, that is exactly what Studioetc has done for trade show booths. In an effort to reform an industry that, according to owner Richard Graf, is one of the top 10 environmental abusers, this B Corp created Smartboard, a light, environmentally-friendly and affordable material. Inspired [...]

As B Corporations, sustainability is at the core of our companies’ beliefs. However, most thinking about sustainability in the corporate world centers around environmental impact. Rightly so, firms large and small have began to seriously view how they impact the living environment around them. Organizations such as ours are helping to lead this important charge. [...]

Credit cards aren’t something typically associated with dharma  (right actions).  However one B Corporation is revolutionizing what it means to be in the credit card processing industry. Dharma Merchants, tired of the sector’s history of deceptive business practices, is a completely transparent company focused on serving the green market, social entrepreneurs and spiritual communities. President [...]

I had heard of B Lab and their certification a few years ago and thought it was a great idea – for businesses bigger than mine. I even started their online ‘Impact Assessment’ but petered out, thinking it wasn’t worth my time since I’d already taken so many steps to be a sustainable company. Not until [...]

Look around you – How often do you really observe the buildings you live in, the streets you walk? Architecture often goes unnoticed and yet continues to shape our lives. Opticos Design, Inc. is an urban design and architecture firm seeking to catalyze social and environmental change by creating solutions in how people live. They [...]

Calling all sustainable business leaders. You are officially on notice. If it wasn’t clear before, it is crystal clear now. If you want to maintain the social mission of your company, don’t incorporate in Delaware. In a Sept. 9 decision in eBay’s legal fight with Craigslist, the Delaware courts affirmed that stockholder wealth maximization is [...]

We are proud to announce that Sustainable Harvest President David Griswold spoke at this year’s Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting. He participated in a special session entitled, “Building Partnerships to Empower the World’s Smallholder Famers” along with Tom Vilsack, the US Secretary of Agriculture. Jim Carrey, actor and Founder of Better U Foundation, Safira Gerald Lazaro Gwimo, Coffee [...]

Several items in Forbes‘ Special Report, “2020: What Happens Next,” caught my eye, all related  to the future of our food systems. Surely in North America we can always count on access to good food, right? By now you’ve likely read about the delicacy of the just-in-time system we’ve created over the past several decades. It [...]

It’s official, Benefit Corporations are a reality. On October 1, Maryland Benefit Corporation legislation took effect. Eleven companies registered with the state to become trailblazers for a new type of business. The first of its kind, the Maryland  legislation allows companies to organize as Benefit Corporations, a new class of corporation that are required to create [...]

Working hard, playing hard: GOOD Magazine has released a list of the top 30 places to work. It’s no surprise that 20% are B Corporations! B Corporations are great places to work because they consider all stakeholders, including employees. Our community understands that happy employees equal productive employee making a difference. Please join us in [...]

We alway knew we had a great community of B Corporations. Coming together for the B Corp Champions Retreat in Long Branch, NJ only reinforced that belief. Thank you to all who attended. We had a great time, both working hard and playing hard. We shared deep discussions about the Community Brand Campaign, public policy, services [...]

Bill Clark, a partner at Drinker Biddle and Reath, is our 2010 B Corp Champions Retreat MVP. He has logged over 1,000,001 hours of pro bono work helping B Lab advance Benefit Corporation legislation across the country. Benefit Corp legislation would not have been signed into law in Maryland or Vermont, or be moving forward [...]

For those of you who missed the B Corp Champions retreat, we were fortunate enough to take time and recognize some of the leaders in our community. Hal Taussig of Founding B Corp Untours is our winner of the first annual Hal Taussig Award. Hal was the inspiration behind B Lab’s mission.  Without him, we [...]

by Randy Paynter, Founder and CEO of Care2.com I just turned down an advertising deal worth well over $100,000.  Did I do the right thing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. The opportunity:  A multi-billion dollar agro-biotech company – let’s call them Monstero – is looking to improve their image.  Their advertising agency knows Care2 [...]

Marketing gets a bad rap – it’s often associated with extreme consumerism, and rightfully so. But what about the possibility of using its extreme power of influence to address serious problems associated with consumerism? Marty McDonald was disillusioned with the traditional marketing industry after 15 years as a creative director at large advertising agencies working [...]

Philadelphia-based B Corps, YIKES Inc and Greensaw Design & Build, have teamed up in renovating vacant buildings for YIKES new office. Their goal: to create a LEED Platinum building to match YIKES’ environmentally-conscious values. YIKES is a women-owned Web design and development company dedicated to green business practices. Greensaw Design & Build is Philadelphia’s leading eco-conscious [...]

What is a Benefit Corporation? A new class of corporation that meets higher standards of: Purpose creates a material positive impact on society and the environment, as measured by a third party standard Accountability redefines fiduciary duty to include consideration of the impact of decisions on all stakeholders Transparency reports on overall social and environmental [...]

By Christina Bianco, B Lab Ratings Associate This month, Edelman released the 2010 goodpurpose® study, an annual global research study that explores consumer attitudes around social purpose, including their commitment to specific social issues and their expectations of brands and corporations. The survey was conducted in 13 countries among more than 7,000 adults. The study [...]

It’s an undeniable but often overlooked truth: Business can’t exist without investors. Capital is a necessary component of any B Corporation and integral to creating environmental and social change. Imprint Capital, an impact investment firm, lives this truth everyday. Imprint Capital builds and manages customized impact portfolios for their clients. What is impact investing? This [...]

MD State Senator Jamie Raskin recently wrote an insightful blog post concerning the importance of passing Benefit Corporation legislation.  Jamie Raskin represents Silver Spring and Takoma Park, MD.  He introduced SB 690, which became, in April 2010, the first Benefit Corporation law in America. In his post, he states, “There is a structural cause for [...]

The first national B Corp brand campaign has launched and we are so excited. The campaign invites 17 MM values-driven consumers to support ‘a better way to do business’. The ads feature more than 60 of the 330 Certified B Corps in home and office settings with the unifying message ‘Better Companies Make Better Products.  B [...]

We make decisions everyday, from what to eat, to what to wear, to where to shop. This can be fun, but the number of options is overwhelming. How do you make the right choice? Here’s one way: On November 15, 2010, WorldofGood.com by eBay launched its very first Trust Provider custom web portal focused on B [...]

B Corporations, Benefit Corporations, B Lab…It’s hard to keep it all straight. Here’s the rundown: Certified B Corporation: a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps meet rigorous, independent social and environmental performance standards and are working to build a new sector of the [...]

by Sarah Van Aken, Owner of SVA Holdings Slow Fashion is the heart of SA VA. Slow Fashion, deriving from the same principals as the Slow Food movement, is a consideration of the garment lifecycle.   It encompasses knowing 1) how and by whom your clothing was made, 2) what it was made with, 3) how [...]

method, the pioneer of premium environmentally-conscious + design-driven home care, fabric care and personal care products, is spreading the word about B Corp certification in a creative way: through a contest! Highlighting their participation in our first Community Brand Campaign, method has challenged customers to discover their year of certification. (We’ll give you a hint: [...]

Farmer’s Diner has a long history of bringing sustainable, locally produced food to people at affordable prices. They have also been considering B Corp certification for years. After a long journey together, we are proud to announce that Farmer’s Diner has joined the Certified B Corp community. Founded in 1999, Farmer’s Diner strives to make [...]

Everyone has different theories about the right way to achieve development.  The debate over microfinance versus small to medium enterprise is well documented and at times, heated.  Do you give someone a loan to start a business?  Or, do you provide a job in a small factory?  Is it better to give 20 women $100 [...]

Paper – I bet, right now, you have some sitting nearby. We use it for millions of things: reports, note-taking, reading; The list could go on forever. What if I told you paper could feed people too? Okay, not literally, but with the Paper=Food (P=F) initiative, Give Something Back has provided thousands of meals to [...]

WHY WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS, TO B IS THE WAY TO BE It’s fair to say that corporations are only as good as the people who stand behind them. No matter how politicized the themes of corporate personhood, or how unwieldy and out of control many mega-corporations are today, a fundamental mission statement is [...]

Help B Lab get big time PR support for the B Corp ad campaign (better.bcorporation.net) from Edelman (the leading independent global PR firm) through their Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding Contest. B Lab (and thus the B Corp community) is a finalist, but we need e-votes to win a bunch of pro bono services (including TWO ads [...]

There is more than one way to drink responsibly. We all talk about drinking in moderation, but what about drinking beverages from socially and environmentally responsible companies? With Valentine’s Day approaching, many of us are planning celebrations with loved ones and friends. Here’s a challenge: Celebrate with drinks from responsible companies, like B Corps.* Mendocino [...]

Our current economic and financial systems sanction obscene excesses at the expense of society. It’s easy and therapeutic to rant. It’s more helpful, but more challenging, to propose viable alternatives. In my last three blogs, I reviewed Hazel Henderson’s, Michael Moore’s, and David Korten’s thoughtful proposals on how to repair our economic and financial systems. [...]

There are many resorts out there, but few have a sense of purpose like Sleeping Lady Resort. The property, located on the East side of the Cascade Mountains in Washington, was once the location of a Civilian Conservation Corp. When the land was put up for sale in 1991, Sleeping Lady’s founder and owner, Harriet [...]

A completely self-sustaining restaurant? Yes, it’s possible. Epiphany Farms, in central Illinois, is changing the way the restaurant system works. Created by a group of individuals with experience in high-end dining, Epiphany Farms seeks to serve the best meals in the world, all from a sustainable and local source – their own farm. Restaurants typically [...]

By Janet Pomeroy, President of the Green Chamber of Commerce One of the major themes in President Obama’s State of the Union speech was the need to maintain our economic strength by out-innovating other nations.  “In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives,” he said. “It is how we make our living.” The president put [...]

By David Chen, Equilibrium Capital Group, LLC In a recent blog post on Sustainable Business Oregon, Doug Morris asks an important question: How will investors respond to B Corps? I think there are a growing number of investment firms, both boutique and global, that are asking this question. A major institutional financial service institution has [...]

Laloo’s is on a mission to transform the dairy industry, and they are doing it with ice cream;  Not just any ice cream,  goat milk ice cream. Yes, goat milk. “We want to promote goat milk products that can taste good and be good for you”, Founder and CEO Laura Howard-Gayeton says. Using all natural [...]

by Shannon Downey, Pivotal Production There is a movement happening in the United States right now and Illinois is missing out. Until recently, there were two business models available when creating a business entity in Illinois, non-profit and for-profit.  In August 2009, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill affording Illinois businesses a third option.  The L3C model [...]

Following the financial meltdown and bank bailouts, two B Corps are showing that it’s OK to love a bank. Sunrise Community Banks, which operates three banks in St. Paul, Minn., is one of only 62 certified Community Development Financial Institution banks in the nation. The family- owned company, which is devoted to serving economically distressed [...]

Guayakí, Numi Organic Tea and Traditional Medicinals have a lot in common: all three focus on natural foods, health and wellness; they’re all based in California; and they all adhere to admirable standards of organic production, fair trade, local sourcing and sustainable business practices. They’re also all B Corps. Many B Corps seek good company [...]

Why My Company Became a B Corporation by Nancy Goldstein, Compass(X)Strategy I was 13 years old, like many Jewish kids, I stood up in front of my friends and family, read nervously from the Torah, and publicly declared (mostly symbolically) “Today I take my part in adult society.”  This week, I stood up and made [...]

By Mal Warwick, One World Futbol Project Recently a spokesperson for the California Association of Nonprofits publicly expressed opposition to legislation recognizing the benefit corporation (such as the B Corporation) as a legal entity in my state—because he fears that at some point in the future B Corporations might seek tax breaks for investors and consequently [...]

An Interview with Michael Shuman, Research Director of Cutting Edge Capital   Clearly, we support Benefit Corps, but it’s always helpful to get an objective view. We interview Michael Shuman to get an economist’s take on why Benefit Corporations matter.     How will Benefit Corporations affect the market? It increases market efficiency. It is [...]

  B Lab has been busy this spring. New Jersey and Virginia passed Benefit Corporation legislation, the community grew to over 400 B Corporations, and B Lab has launched the public beta of GIIRS and Version 3.0 of the B Impact Assessment. With so much going on, it’s easy to lose track. Here’s an update [...]

The owner of the only certified B Corporation in Kentucky assesses the pros and cons of the certification.

by Scott James, Founder of Fair Trade Sports In an airport conversation with Adam Lowry this month (he’s the Co-Founder and “Chief Greenskeeper” at the hip cleaning company Method) we discussed the state of CSR in North America right now. He had some interesting thoughts: Scott: Let’s put on our international travelers hats for a [...]

by Melinda Cheel, RSF Social Finance RSF is committed to transforming the way the world works with money. Transformation of our economic system is multifaceted and complex so we look to our values to inform our actions for creating such change. We value interdependence and believe that as transformation takes place, economic success will be [...]

by Shreya Barot, American Sustainable Business Council The American democratic principles of “government of the people, by the people, for the people” are now being endangered by an overreaching Supreme Court ruling – Citizens United v. FEC. The Story of Citizens United, by the famous maker of The Story of Stuff, illustrates beautifully how the [...]

By Risa De Ferrari, Green Chamber of Commerce Certified Benefit Corporations and B Corps are a new classification of business joining the ranks of certifications such as: sole proprietorships, standard incorporations (C Corps or S Corps), and limited liability corporations (LLCs) to name a few.  Benefit Corporations are unique in that they build upon the [...]

“Alima is the sum of its parts,” states owner and founder Kate O’Brien. This appreciation of the individual carries through everything the B Corp does. Each employee is essential to make Alima great. Each customer is valued for making the company possible and shaping the future. It all began in 2004 with O’Brien’s concern over [...]

By Scott James, Fair Trade Sports This month I take a break from my normal topic of conversation (soccer) with Tom De Blasis to discuss our other passion: CSR. Tom is the Global Design Director for Nike Soccer. Scott: Tell me about a company that is doing something in CSR that would be a model [...]

Nine Certified B Corporations have been named by Bloomberg’s BusinessWeek as ‘America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs’ of 2011. Azavea, Change.org, Dimagi, Emory Knoll Farms, Freelancers Insurance Company, Greyston Bakery, Nest Collective, Re:Vision Architecture and World Centric are all recognized this year as leaders in this growing sector of mission-driven businesses. The nine honorees this year [...]

by Donald Simon, Wendel Rosen “We make soap.”  That was the response of Method Home Products co-founder and chief greenskeeper Adam Lowry when asked what his company does.  Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Method is well known as a model “green business.” One of the founding B Corporations, in 2007 Method [...]

Ever wonder if customers are really looking for certified better companies? Let’s check out the stats: In a recent LoHAS study it was confirmed that 75% of consumers are looking for green companies, not just products.  Consumers seem to be catching on that the environmental effects of a product are not contained within the actual [...]

Written by Kevin Casey, New Avenue Homes New Avenue Homes of Berkeley, CA is taking a small approach to solving a big problem. Most of us live in more space than we need, and sink more time and money than we would like into maintaining these large spaces. A practical approach to solving that problem [...]

Innov8Social‘s Neetal Parekh paid a visit to California’s Capital last week to hear about Benefit Corporation Legislation from AB 361 presentor California State Assemblymember Huffman, and Wendel Rosen attorney and AB 361 advocate Donald Simon. Watch her videos and hear from the sources about the legislation, where it is in the process, why it’s important, [...]

By Evelyn Contre, Springleaf Strategies Lately, it seems that “B Corporation” has become a buzz word around these parts. I wrote a post on B Corps back in June when the North Carolina General Assembly began considering to establish B Corps as officially recognized corporations (we also just happened to be going through the B [...]

Family is the fundamental word to describe the newly B Certified WS Badger co. From employees and suppliers to customers and community members, every person is a part of Badger’s extended family. This focus on people forms the foundation of the way Badger does business. Where most companies look first to the market to determine [...]

“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him,” quoted Michelle Long of President Abraham Lincoln in her opening address to the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) conference in June. Energetic and [...]

By Shazi Visram, HAPPYFAMILY At HAPPYFAMILY, our commitment to the environment grew out of our commitment to children and nutrition. We chose to create an all-organic, non-GMO line of food because of the indisputable link between healthy ingredients and a healthy environment. The current quality and nutritional standards of much of the food in the [...]

By Jodie E. Saueraker, YIKES, Inc. Having a vision is a gift, implementing the vision is work, seeing the finished product is recognizing a dream. 204-206 East Girard Avenue in Philadelphia was no different. A few years ago, these buildings were run down, dilapidated; the only buildings on the block not renovated. Located in the [...]

Written by Derek Zobrist, founder and CEO of Enovative Kontrol Systems Energy waste is an issue which affects everyone. Which is why, for the last 6 years, Enovative Kontrol Systems has worked to improve energy efficiency related to domestic hot water circulation. Standard domestic hot water circulation pumps operate continuously and waste $1000s each year [...]

By Liz Morris, B Lab Validation Intern Every two years, 20% of B Corporations are randomly selected for an on-site review. This component of the B Corp Certification is critical in maintaining the authenticity of the Certified B Corp Seal. This summer, our team of validation interns visited over 30 B Corporations to review and [...]

Last Friday, the B Lab Philly team enjoyed trekking around Center City Philadelphia on one of (newly certified) Context Travel’s Philadelphia walking tours—or, as they call them, “walking seminars.” Context Travel is based on the fundamental belief that “Knowledge is power” – the power to know more about the place you visit, the people who [...]

By Jason Graham-Nye, Co-Founder gDiapers As early as the conceptual stages of gDiapers, Kim and I have felt strongly that on-site childcare should be an integral part of the business. We have offered onsite child-care for the kids of g since our launch in 2005.  We always have and always will.  It just makes sense [...]

You know that feeling you get at your local farmer’s market? You come home with great produce, a connection to the grower, and trust in the quality of the food. The only problem is not all of the food we love can be grown where we live. Newly B Certified Liga Masiva has a solution: build a global farmers [...]

“Fifty million diapers are thrown away every day and each takes 500 years to decompose.” When new parents and gDiapers‘ founders Jason and Kim Graham-Nye heard this statistic, they were shocked. Not wanting to be part of that environmental degradation, they sought a better alternative. They found a Tasmanian diaper that was 100% biodegradable and [...]

By Susan Garrigle, Services at B Lab On Thursday, September 29, 2011, B Lab held a Windy City Cocktail Party at Certified B Corporation DIRTT’s Chicago Green Learning Center. With spectacular views of the river, DIRTT showcased its modular walls and products. Over sixty people attended the event – from the Certified B Corporations in [...]

By Jay Coen Gilbert, Co-Founder, B Lab The New York Times recently published an article by Joe Nocera entitled “What is Business Waiting For?” Nocera argues for businesses’ responsibility to address unemployment and hire more workers. He also references financial risk expert Marc Groz’s proposal of a “contingent commitment facility.” Using this facility, a company [...]

By Jay Coen Gilbet, Co-Founder, B Lab It’s not often we get the opportunity to witness history. Thousands of visionary business leaders are building the foundation for the kind of systemic change that can create a new economy with millions of new high quality jobs and improve the quality of life in communities across our [...]

By Jay Coen Gilbert, Co-Founder,  B Lab Or, at least they could. Bill Clinton has already done his part today, and now Gov. Andrew Cuomo has the opportunity to return the favor. Cuomo came to New York City today to talk to President Clinton and other Clinton Global Initiative members about capital access. Cuomo, like [...]

Capitalism with Purpose, not Profit at its Center By Andrew Kassoy The Occupy Wall Street movement has captured a great deal of attention as it spreads beyond New York City to major cities across the globe.  While some critique the protests as diffuse in message or lacking in substance, it is clear that the movement [...]

Imagine that every time you bought something, someone in need would get one too. This is the idea behind the “buy one –give one” business model Certified B Corp ecojot implemented in January of 2010. For every one of four different kinds of qualifying journals sold (there are some journals that aren’t part of the [...]

This past week B Corps from across the country made the trek to beautiful Pennsylvania for the third annual B Corp Champions Retreat. On Tuesday night at the world-renowned Longwood Gardens, co-founder Bart Houlahan raised a toast to celebrate a good year for all. He reminded folks of the historical significance of the gardens which [...]

The Big Bad Woof, located in the Old Takoma neighborhood of Washington DC and the Arts District Hyattsville in Maryland, sets a new standard for pet care and products. The retail store specializes in organic, holistic, premium and raw diets for companion animals with a strong commitment to the community. Their selection of products are chosen to ensure [...]

Written by Rose Penelope L. Yee, Green Retirement Plans, Inc. As we cheer for the Move Your Money campaign and as the call for it increasingly becomes more clamorous, let us also take a look at another piece of the money pie. For a lot of working folks, a big chunk of their life savings [...]

By Scott James, Fair Trade Sports This month I spoke with Matt Bogoshian in DC. He is the Senior Policy Counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency. One of the ways I reconcile being apolitical and staying as far away from DC as possible is because I know I have kindred spirits like Matt fighting the [...]

By Scott James, Fair Trade Sports This month I spent time with serial entrepreneur Dal LaMagna to ask him about his new book, “Raising Eyebrows, A Failed Entrepreneur Finally Gets It Right.” He’s been called an irrepressible capitalist (among other things) which made for an interesting conversation. Scott: In your book you suggest that you were [...]

By Scott James, Fair Trade Sports This month we have a tale of civil disobedience and the corporate response that touches nearly every household in North America.  It stretches from old growth forests of Canada to corporate boardrooms in Dallas. Oh, and a visit from Dr. Seuss’ Lorax. But first, my guest for this month’s [...]

United By Blue is making headlines in the fashion industry as their trendy t-shirts, bags and accessories reach more premiere retail locations across the country. What makes this company look so good, however, goes beyond the standard eco chic, organic and sweatshop-free manufacturing practices. It’s the heart of the company: for every item sold, United [...]

Warby Parker is a new eyewear brand that is transforming the optical industry into a better way of doing business; one that’s about doing good. To the founders of Warby Parker doing good means transferring billions of dollars from large corporations to normal people by cutting superfluous costs. It also means using profits to bring [...]

By Jim Epstein and Alicia Epstein Korten As an investment advisor and member of the Gamble family that founded Procter & Gamble, I (Jim) am often asked to sit on nonprofit boards. I have grown uncomfortable with the term not-for-profit to describe these organizations, which often embrace business principles in their operations. For example, DC [...]

by Rodney Willett, Impact Makers, Vice President of Business Strategy B Corp Champions Retreat, October 25-27, 2011 Impact Makers is a management and technology consulting company based in Richmond, Virginia.  We are a founding B Corp member with a unique business model: we are a for profit corporation with no shareholders and we give away [...]

When tackling the important task of revitalizing local communities, communication is key. Open Neighborhoods, based in Los Angeles, California, brings the idea of local communication to the digital age. Their unique social media platform for neighborhood engagement brings people together and creates public dialogue. A community space, however, is only as good as its accessibility. [...]

 BROOKLYN, New York (December 5, 2011) – Runatarpuna Exportadora S.A., the Ecuadorian Subsidiary of Runa LLC – a social enterprise that produces a unique, energizing Amazonian tea – recently received a $500,000 equity investment from the Build Ecuador Fund (CreEcuador”, a socially responsible investment fund created by Ecuador’s Ministry of Production.) Runa is an Amazonian [...]

For Larry’s Beans, coffee roasting is about the people. Throughout the process the company considers the farmers who grow the beans, the roasters, the employees, the local community, and the consumer. To this certified B Corp, putting people and the planet at the core of their mission makes for a ‘better’ cup of coffee. Larry [...]

Enviro-Stewards Inc’s Engineers & Scientists is a true champion of the B Corp community. They serve as sustainability catalysts for industrial, commercial and institutional facilities and help companies grow while reducing their environmental footprint and improving social conditions. This past year Enviro-Stewards became B Certified with the help of Bob Willard. Once part of the B community, the [...]

They say that you don’t know a man until you have walked two moons in his shoes, but what about spending three nights on his couch? Couchsurfing is building a global community. With 3.3 million users in almost every country, Couchsurfing is an online social network connecting travelers to local hosts. Think of it as a short [...]

Written by Marc Stoiber, Green Brand Innovation Creative Director Morten Schroder of Van Houtte Coffee knows something about being a sustainability leader. In fact, Van Houtte has a long, proud history of adopting sustainability measures, even before a clear ROI matrix has been established. (The latest example is Van Houtte’s implementation of Renewable Natural Gas, [...]

Check out featured B Corporations IceStone, Revolution Foods, and Warby Parker on PBS NewsHour.   Watch Benefit Corporations Aim to Make Profit, Positive Impact on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.