They say that with great power comes great responsibility, but those who take their social responsibility seriously don’t wait for some imaginary point in the future when the time will be “right.” The B Corporation certifies companies whose business is built around the idea not just of profiting, but of giving back.

The B stands for “benefit,” and refers to benefiting workers, the community, and the environment. Here are some of our favorite B Corps, and the ways in which they use their influence to make the world a better place.

Dansko

Shoe manufacturer Dansko was founded in 1990 with the idea to bring Danish-style clogs to a modern market. The company started small, out of the trunk of a car, and as such the founders have always understood the importance of community. Dansko became a B Corp in 2007, with many projects including a community recycling station at the company headquarters, a living plant wall in their building, and a system where employees are paid to take time off for volunteer work.

Every summer, Dansko teams up with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Annapolis for their “Save the Bay” initiative, in which a team of Dansko volunteers helps relocate vulnerable oyster colonies to safer parts of the bay, so that they may multiply and be used later to help replenish the declining oyster population.

Patagonia

Their environmental and social initiatives are so extensive that they have published an entire 64-page booklet on the subject

As a manufacturer of outdoor sports gear and equipment, Patagonia was built on the idea of connecting people with nature, so they have strong feelings about helping the environment and maintaining the delicate balance between humans and the planet.

Their environmental and social initiatives are so extensive that they have published an entire 64-page booklet on the subject, and they invest both time and money into projects as wide-ranging as river restoration, clothing donations, chemicals management, and climate change.

Ben & Jerry’s

People already love Ben & Jerry’s for their delicious ice cream, but there’s even more reason to support this B Corp when you see how much they do for social causes. It may be no surprise that they support food-related initiatives like Fairtrade and mandatory GMO labeling, but they’re also long-time supporters of causes like marriage equality, campaign finance reform, and polar ice cap protection.

Not only do they donate money where it’s needed, but they walk the walk, as well – attending rallies, marching for causes, and giving their employees extensive social rights well beyond what the law requires.

Cabot Creamery Cooperative

Vermont-based Cabot is a powerhouse of social enterprise and volunteer initiatives. The hub of their efforts is the Reward Volunteers program, which does exactly what the name says – rewards volunteers for their work, and also gives prizes and gifts to the organizations it helps. The Reward Volunteers app tracks volunteer hours, so users can keep track of how much time they spend helping the community, and earn rewards as they go.

One of Cabot’s more well-known volunteer projects works in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work Project.

One of Cabot’s more well-known volunteer projects works in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work Project. The Gratitude Grille provides food for hungry Carter volunteers, feeding them to keep their energy levels up while they work.

Exygy

That’s right! We’re proud to be a B Corporation, too, and have been since 2012. It simply made sense to us to get a certification for the kind of socially-aware work we’d already been doing since 2004, and we pride ourselves on giving back to the community in any way we can.

One of the ways we encourage social responsibility in the workplace is through volunteer days, where we send teams of Exygy employees out to have fun and do good in the world.

That’s right! We’re proud to be a B Corporation, too, and have been since 2012.

 

We’ve helped plant at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, and we’ve built homes through Habitat for Humanity. We’ve also done some enjoyable and rewarding pro bono projects, like working with Mercy Corps to help them migrate one of their websites.

What kinds of things do you do to give back? Does your company do its part for the community you live in?