What is a B Corp?
A B Corp is a private certification (comparable to the LEED certification in green building or Fair Trade certification goods) that signals a company meets a threshold for environmental and social performance. It also means the company has integrated a commitment to stakeholders (wider than shareholders) in its governing documents to balance purpose and profit.
For us being a B Corp firm means we:
- Use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems
- Meet rigorous standards and are re-certified every 3 years
- Are a part of a global movement to use business as a force for good
Why is Being a B Corp Important to us?
Embodying integrity is central to our mission of ‘expanding what’s possible with money.’ Walking the talk not only helps us guide our clients to investing in impactful enterprises, but also continually improve our own impact across all operations. As we continue to grow, it also helps us attract and retain values-aligned humans (clients and talent) who are drawn to our B Corp-inspired policies. These values naturally help align our company’s values with client values, fostering a common purpose and humanity that is often overlooked in finance.
How Companies Become B Certified
To become a certified B Corporation, companies must take the B Impact Assessment. Any company can take the assessment for free. Using five categories (community, customers, environment, workers, governance) and 200 questions, the assessment helps a company see where it’s making an impact and where it can improve on its social and environmental factors. A company receiving a minimum verified score of 80, and who pays an annual fee based on revenues, becomes certified and their impact report results are made public on bcorporation.net. This tool gives companies metrics to compare their performance to others and identify and track how to improve.
This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation— the Certified B Corporation—which is purpose-driven and creates benefit
for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe:
- That we must be the change we seek in the world.
- That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.
- That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.
To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.