Vermont has long been an incubator of innovation — and companies whose mission and impact are central to their business model.
In 2010, Vermont became the second state in the country to enact Benefit Corporation legislation, allowing new companies to form, and existing companies to organize as benefit corporations. The legal framework of a benefit corporation gives businesses and investors the flexibility to consider mission and public benefit, in addition to profit, for all stakeholders, including shareholders, over the long term, even through exit transactions such as IPOs and acquisitions.
B-Corp Certification is an additional tool for businesses to manage their operations and programs according to the highest social and environmental standards. Certification is managed by the nonprofit organization B Lab, who sets rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. (Benefit corporations may, but are not required, to choose B-Corp Certification as well). There are 36 certified B-Corps in Vermont ranging from famous food producers like Cabot Creamery Co-op and Ben & Jerry’s to publicly owned utilities like Green Mountain Power, financial institutions such as Mascoma Bank and Clean Yield Asset Management, retail brands like Seventh Generation and King Arthur Flour and advanced manufacturing firms such as Chroma Technology Corp. Vermont ranks among the country’s top ten states with the highest per capita number of B Corps.
FURTHER READING
- For Cabot Creamery, achieving B-Corp certification for its sustainability initiatives delivered operational value as well as a strengthened brand promise.
- At Rhino Foods, an innovative loan program has increased worker retention by helping employees through the challenges of financial instability.
- Vermont’s socially responsible businesses reap rewards.
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR)
Vermont Business for Social Responsibility (VBSR), a statewide, nonprofit business association with a mission to foster a business ethic in Vermont, partners with B Lab to offer programs in Vermont such as Measure What Matters, a series of intensive workshops to help members better support their communities, reduce the environmental impact of their operations, and create the best workplace for their employees.
Becoming a Benefit Corporation in Vermont
The Vermont Secretary of State’s office provides guidance for businesses considering becoming a benefit corporation.
B-Corps Certification
B Lab provides in-depth information on the certification process and maintains a searchable database of certified B-Corps by location.
Work for Good
The B Work job site lists open positions at Certified B-Corps in Vermont.
HOW WE STACK UP
Vermont has the Largest Number of Certified B-Corps per Capita
— (2017) Sustainability Trend Spotting
Vermont Companies on the 2018 Best for the World Certified B-Corps list
— (2018) B the Change
Percent of New England’s B Corps located in Vermont
— (2018) B Lab
CERTIFIED B CORPORATIONS IN VERMONT
Company | Location | Sector | Year B-Corps Certification Established |
---|---|---|---|
Advance Humanity | Woodstock | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2013 |
The Alchemist | Stowe | Manufacturing | 2017 |
Ben & Jerry’s | South Burlington | Manufacturing | 2012 |
Bluestone Life | Burlington | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2016 |
Business Culture Consultants | Burlington | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2012 |
Cabot Creamery Cooperative | Waitsfield | Manufacturing | 2012 |
Chroma Technology Corp | Bellows Falls | Manufacturing | 2013 |
Clean Yield Asset Management | Norwich | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2011 |
Encore Renewable Energy | Burlington | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2016 |
Forward Philanthropy | Montpelier | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2012 |
Gardeners’ Supply Company | Burlington | Wholesale/Retail | 2014 |
Green Mountain Power | Colchester | Manufacturing | 2014 |
Heritage Aviation Inc. | South Burlington | Service with Significant Environmental Footprint | 2018 |
Image Outfitters, Inc. | Stowe | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2014 |
Image Relay | Burlington | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2014 |
King Arthur Flour Company | White River Junction | Manufacturing | 2007 |
KSV | Burlington | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2015 |
Lake Champlain Chocolates | Burlington | Manufacturing | 2018 |
LineSync Architecture | Wilmington | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2016 |
Mamava, Inc. | Burlington | Manufacturing | 2015 |
Mascoma Bank | Branch Locations in VT | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2017 |
Merritt & Merritt | Burlington | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2010 |
Mondo Mediaworks, Inc. | Brattleboro | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2017 |
Morris Recruiting & Consulting | Stowe | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2013 |
Native Energy | Burlington | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2016 |
New Chapter, Inc. | Brattleboro | Manufacturing | 2014 |
Rhino Foods | Burlington | Manufacturing | 2013 |
Seventh Generation | Burlington | Wholesale/Retail | 2007 |
The Scott Farm | Dummerston | Agriculture/Growers | 2017 |
SunCommon | Waterbury | Service with Significant Environmental Footprint | 2012 |
Sustain Natural | Burlington | Wholesale/Retail | 2014 |
Vermont Creamery | Websterville | Manufacturing | 2014 |
Watershed Coaching LLC | Brattleboro | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2015 |
Westwood International | Stowe | Service with Minor Environmental Footprint | 2016 |