How We Further Our Mission as a Certified B Corp

Did you know that Participate Learning has been a certified B Corporation (B Corp) since 2011? B Corps are part of a global culture shift for businesses to redefine success, so that it includes creating a positive impact for employees, communities, and the environment. We use business as a force for good by providing equitable education opportunities for students in our programs. How does our designation as a seven-time “Best for the World – Overall” B Corporation impact company culture? To celebrate B Corp Month, hear from four Participate Learning staff about how working for a B Corp aligns with their values.

We can empower other businesses to be a force for good.

When it comes to our office, or even events, supporting other B Corp organizations has always been a priority for us. We started an initiative called “coffee connections” where, each month, we purchase bags of coffee from different B Corp coffee companies and highlight that company’s mission and purpose for staff to learn more about them. We’ve hosted ice cream socials with Ben & Jerry’s, and Lunch and Learns with local B Corp Lulu Press as the presenter. We’ve provided Fill it Forward water bottles to staff, our teachers, and conference guests. Some other companies we’ve supported are Atlas Go, Greyston Bakery, Sokol Blosser, Etsy, Seventh Generation, WeFirst, and New Belgium Brewing. The list could go on and on, but it feels great when we actively support other businesses that are prioritizing people and the environment before profit.
–Jordan Dye, Salesforce Administrator

We make an impact through our everyday work.

As an employee of a B Corp, I like knowing that I have the opportunity to make an impact through my day-to-day work. I’m passionate about our mission to unite our world and the company culture that reflects that. Our company’s success means we’re able to significantly impact the community around us with the ultimate goal of leaving the world a better place than we found it. To me, that’s the essence of being a B Corp.
–Amy Mangels, Senior Designer

Our company values are reinforced through the B Corp framework.

Being a part of the B Corp community as a certified B Corp is an objective way to demonstrate and recognize what we do as a business. The B Corp framework allows businesses to lead the way in investing in priorities beyond the bottom line, like environmental impact and employee well-being, and this framework makes a real difference. In my life outside of work, I always try to keep other B Corps in the back of my mind when I’m looking for gifts or a product to try. While it can take a bit more effort and research to shop this way, I like knowing that I’m supporting other B Corps and contributing to what they can do for the world.
–Kerrie Frederick, Manager, Workplace Experience

We use our careers as a force for good.

From the first time I saw the B Corp framework, I thought, “That’s us.” B Corporation envisions a global economy in which businesses are used as a force for good. What we find at Participate Learning is that we are an organization made up of people using their careers as a force for good, investing their time, energy, and lives to move our mission forward. Aligning our purpose with values that matter is a way to attract the best employees who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students and teachers all over the world.

After 30 years of working within our organization, I could be bored, but I’m not. I believe in what we’re doing, and that our work makes the world a better place. It just so happens that we align our financial success with being successful with our mission to unite our world through global learning. We don’t do well unless the world becomes a better place because of global education. Can you imagine what other companies could do if they had to make the world a better place in order to make money?
–David Young, CEO

By equipping students with diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning experiences, we are creating opportunities for students to become global leaders in their classrooms and communities. Learn about how you can partner with Participate Learning here, or follow the #BCorpMonth hashtag to see how fellow B Corps like us are celebrating across the U.S.