B Corporation

B Corporations are new types of companies that use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. They are leading a global movement to redefine success in business.

B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. The certification is like “Fair Trade” or “Organic” but instead of certifying a product it is a review of an entire business. B Corp Certified companies are businesses committed to solving social and environmental problems through the power of business.

By voluntarily meeting higher standards of transparency, accountability, and performance, Certified B Corps are offering a positive vision of a better way to do business for employees, investors, and their communities.

In addition to being a Certified B Corp, in 2015 Gelfand Partners became a California benefit corporation. Benefit corporation status provides legal protection to the board of directors to balance financial and non-financial interests when making decisions — even in a sale scenario or as a publicly traded company. Benefit corporations are able to consider all the stakeholders — workers, community, environment, and shareholders — and not solely maximizing shareholder value.

At Gelfand Partners Architects we seek to increase the relevance of architecture beyond fads and fuss to the most important issues affecting life in the designed environment. Design can reduce human impact on global climates and habitats, encourage healthy communities, and impart personal pleasure and fulfillment.

We’re proud to be a #Certified B Corp and a California #benefit corporation.