How B Corps Partner with Nonprofits for Effective Climate Action

By partnering with local nonprofits and investing in community-led environmental solutions, B Corps are demonstrating how business can drive climate action and justice. B Corps that are also members of 1% for the Planet go beyond traditional giving to support community-based initiatives like reforestation, Indigenous-led land restoration, and ocean protection.

“Our giving’s mission is to address the intertwined challenges of extreme poverty and environmental degradation,” said Janae Lloyd, Director of Impact at World Centric. “Better business alone won’t save the planet — lasting change requires supporting the frontline organizations and movements doing the hard, on-the-ground work.”

As part of this long-view, systemic approach to its environmental mission, World Centric has been a member of 1% for the Planet since 2014 to support its giving to community nonprofits. The Certified B Corporation’s durable and compostable packaging solutions for the food service industry are designed to be sustainable, but the company recognizes the need for climate action led by nonprofits and community members most impacted by climate change. To advance its giving mission, World Centric donates 25% of its profits to grassroots initiatives, with a focus on providing funds to communities where people face ecological collapse and economic hardship. Since 2009, World Centric has donated more than $20 million to community organizations around the world. 

Lloyd said 1% for the Planet helps ensure that resources flow to community nonprofits, amplifying their impact and keeping corporate giving grounded in justice and action. “The network connects us with trusted nonprofit partners and like-minded businesses, while also signaling to our customers that their purchase supports real, accountable change for people and the planet,” she said. 

World Centric is one of several B Corps that are also members of 1% for the Planet. These companies, known as B1s, collaborate with like-minded businesses pursuing a more inclusive and equitable economy while also supporting community organizations that tackle environmental challenges. B1s are important donors for nonprofits at a time when funding sources are in jeopardy. Initiatives like these also help advance climate justice by supporting organizations that center the needs and voices of those most affected by climate change in their climate action efforts.

Through their community commitments and other climate actions, these B1 companies are helping to foster healthier communities and ecosystems. From a mountain range in Colombia to a Pacific beach on the Costa Rican coast, this article highlights how World Centric and fellow B Corp Bodhi Surf + Yoga are connecting with nonprofits that steward natural resources and build community resilience.

Funding for Forests on the Frontlines of Climate Stability and Community Resilience

World Centric sees initiatives that protect forests as an opportunity to invest in environmental health and social equity — two pillars in its approach to climate justice. “Forests are essential to both climate stability and community resilience,” Lloyd said. “We fund reforestation, agroforestry, and forest protection programs that not only sequester carbon but also restore ecosystems and support Indigenous and rural communities who depend on and steward these landscapes.”

One example is a partnership with Ofrenda A’bunna, an Indigenous-led organization in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Through direct land purchases, Ofrenda A’bunna is recovering Arhuaco ancestral territory that is then restored and stewarded using traditional practices. “It’s a model of Indigenous-led conservation grounded in cultural and ecological healing,” Lloyd said.

Another example is a partnership with ALIADOS in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where one of the world’s most biodiverse regions is under threat. ALIADOS partners with Indigenous farmer associations and entrepreneurs to develop regenerative products that help conserve forests. Their efforts protect biodiversity, generate income, and strengthen local governance.

Lloyd said that by centering local knowledge, equity, and resilience, both projects reflect the connection between forest protection and climate justice. They also reinforce the efficacy of community-driven solutions to drive environmental and social impact. “When done right, forest initiatives protect ecosystems and empower communities to thrive, making the impact deeper and more enduring.”

Connecting with Nature and Community: The Bodhi Surf + Yoga Approach

The Costa Rican beach inside a Marine National Park is a natural backdrop for Bodhi Surf + Yoga, a B Corp and 1% for the Planet member that believes the travel industry should be a force for good. Owner Travis Bays said Bodhi uses a combination of environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and education to minimize its environmental footprint and maximize positive impact on the local community, Bahia Ballena. 

Bodhi turns to its values and mission when selecting its 1% for the Planet nonprofit beneficiaries. “We choose organizations that are making a tangible difference in environmental conservation locally and globally and contributing toward thought leadership in the fields of responsible travel and business,” Bays said. That includes nonprofit organizations with a focus on marine conservation, coastal ecosystem protection, environmental or outdoor education, and responsible tourism. 

Bodhi Surf + Yoga encourages guests to explore a closer connection with nature and community during and after their time at Costa Rica.

Bodhi’s focus on community extends to supporting local businesses, creating alliances with fellow B Corps including Florex and Aromas, and contributing to community development projects through its travelers’ philanthropy program. Launched in 2014, the program provides funding to local organizations that are working toward ensuring a healthy environment and community. Bodhi organizes tours for guests that highlight the work of these organizations, including the SOMOS Foundation and Costa Rica Coral Restoration. “This fosters a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the community that extends beyond their stay in Costa Rica,” Bays said. 

While Bodhi Surf + Yoga is a getaway for visitors, its programs also encourage guests to explore a deeper connection with nature. Through outdoor activities and nature immersion, Bodhi guests can deepen their commitment to sustainable living and responsible travel. “We actively execute and promote sustainable practices, such as reducing waste and energy consumption, conserving water, and using eco-friendly products,” Bays said. “We also educate our guests about the importance of environmental conservation and actions they can take here and when they return home.”

Bays said members of the Bodhi team are active in community volunteer efforts and partnerships, including leadership roles for community foundations and work with local conservation organizations like Costa Rica Coral Restoration on projects that directly affect the marine national park where Bodhi provides surf instruction. “Our team participates in these activities monthly — sometimes weekly — and we encourage our guests to join us whenever possible,” he said. 

Learn more about the B1 Network on the B Hive, an online platform for the B Corp community.