To help make our mission possible, GRID Alternatives relies on responsible, community-engaged businesses that support social, economic and environmental sustainability. We partner with these businesses as volunteers and sponsors of our work, for in-kind donations of the equipment we use, and to support us financially through philanthropic partnerships. That’s why we couldn’t have been more excited to have B Lab out installing solar for local low-income family Steve and Evani Chubin last week as part of their “Be the Change in our Communities” effort.
B Lab is a nonprofit organization that serves a global movement to redefine success in business so that all companies compete not only to be the best in the world, but the best for the world. They’re building a global community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between “good companies” and good marketing. Certified B Corps have met a rigorous certification standard that includes metrics for environmental, social and economic sustainability, both internal and external to the company’s operations. Certified B Corps are using business as a force for good, creating greater economic opportunity, strengthening local communities and preserving the environment. We here at GRID Colorado think this is AWESOME.
All last week, Certified B Corps around Colorado, the United States and the world came together to give back to their local communities as part of a global “Be the Change in our Communities” effort.
“Businesses and the people behind them have the power to spread awareness, create good and ignite worldwide change. We like to think of this movement simply as community in action,” said Kim Coupounas, GoLite Co-Founder and director of B Lab Colorado.
"We're excited to have B Lab and Colorado’s B Corps out on the roof with us during their B of Service week, helping a deserving family go solar. Our work is a natural fit with the organization's and companies’ dedication to sustainability and lasting community impacts, and we are looking forward to growing the partnership with the community of B Corps,” said Erica Mackie, GRID Alternatives CEO.
Colorado has an especially strong B Corp community with more than 40 local companies certified. In total, seven B Lab staff – including Colorado B Lab Director Kim Coupounas and B lab co-founder Jay Coen Gilbert, as well as twelve B lab certified Colorado companies, joined GRID Colorado last week. The companies represented included Rally Software, Moye White, Blue Dot Advocates, Cleargreen Advisors, GoLite, Impact Hub Boulder, Renewable Choice Energy, Namasté Solar, First Affirmative Financial Network, Door to Door Organics, ProtoTest, and the Gary Community Investment Company. The B lab team completed a solar installation that will provide more than $20,000 in direct financial savings for the Chubin family, while adding to Colorado’s renewable energy goals and offsetting carbon – equivalent to planting 3,000 trees. Homeowner Steve Chubin called the installation “one of the best days of my life”, and was extremely grateful to the amazing B Lab volunteers.
We’re looking forward to more opportunities to partner with B Lab to make solar happen for low-income communities nation – and world – wide.
Thanks B Lab!