What Happened to your Last Evaluation Report?
November 23, 2023
There is no better time to partner with or be a B Corp than right now. The B Corp family has grown six-fold in the last decade and looks set to continue to expand globally with over 6400 globally. Long gone are the days where consumers seek businesses that can simply provide supplies and services that they are looking for. Today’s consumers are placing a spotlight increasingly on business responsibilities in society, and are seeking businesses that showcase social purpose and ethical values. One way for businesses to show their commitment to this is by being certified as a B Corp. Businesses that wear their B Corp badges are showing more than just an eager sense of ESG, and are willing to go above the bare minimum – take a look at some of our favourite case studies here.
Big global issues such as climate change and the biodiversity crisis are too big for charities and not-for-profits to tackle alone. Partnerships and collaborations with for profit businesses are becoming crucial for scaling up efforts and unlocking opportunities to reach untapped audiences, maximising your impact. By joining forces with a B Corp, you can make change happen faster and on a larger scale.
What is a B Corp?
Being a B Corp organisation means that accredited businesses are part of a network of mission driven, for-profit organisations that understand the value in making money but also in its role in creating positive social and environmental change. B Corp accreditation is awarded to businesses that meet high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency.
Ways to work with B Corps
There are a variety of ways that you can work with a B Corp to achieve both your goals and your corporate partners goals. Here are a few ways that you can integrate a B Corp charitable partnership into your business models.
- Corporate volunteering – this can help you to access valuable digital skills and industry specific skills. When charities struggle to cost effectively fill skill gaps, this can be a cost effective solution. For companies, it is a chance to give something back and build positive reputation gains.
- Corporate giving programmes – some businesses have corporate giving programmes, allowing their employees to donate a portion of their paycheck to a charity of their choice. This can be a tax efficient way for businesses to help to financially support you.
- Cause-related marketing – partnering with a B Corp to help promote a product or service, where a portion of profits are donated to your charity. This helps to raise awareness and support for your charity, whilst also providing a unique selling point for the business.
- Community partnerships – partnering with a B Corp to help to support a specific community initiative. For example, a business could sponsor one of your events, or donate a portion of its sales to help support a local community programme.
- Corporate sponsorships – a B Corp partner can help by providing financial support or in-kind donations, such as products or services, to help you to achieve your goals.
Lauren Geddes, Sustainability and Business MSc
