Written By: Shayna Kerkstra, LEED AP BD+C, LFA
It’s B Corp Month! Let’s show the world how we move forward together. The B Corp certification isn’t a destination; It is an invitation to join the journey to doing better business together. At Catalyst, we believe in a culture that fosters a sense of purpose and belonging. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our desire to evolve and imagine a future that works toward equity in the built environment.
The B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. In order to achieve certification, a company must:
1. Demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and passing B Lab’s risk review.
2. Make a legal commitment by changing corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
3. Exhibit transparency by allowing information about performance to be shared and measured against B Lab’s standards. This is made publicly available on Catalyst’s B Corp profile on B Lab’s website.
B Corp Certification is described as holistic, not exclusively focused on a single social or environmental issue. The process to achieve and maintain certification is rigorous and requires engaging teams and departments across a company. Taking company size and profile into account, verification involves documentation of a company’s business model; information about operations, structure, and various work processes;review of potential public complaints; and possible site visits. Recertification confirms these standards continue to be met on an ongoing basis. Read more in B Lab’s FAQs.
Every B Corp Business has their eye on progress. We are not afraid to gear up for change or course correct as issues evolve. At Catalyst Partners, we are proud to be one of the 34 Certified B Corps in Michigan. If you are interested in taking the assessment, please reach out! We are here to assist if you have any questions. You can also learn more about the B Impact Assessment here. Let us help show you the way forward.
