What We DoBusiness for Purpose Network

Business for Purpose Network

Helping advance Canadian businesses as a force for good by putting societal purpose at the core of their work.

The Business for Purpose Network (B4PN) is a coalition of leaders from the private, non-profit, academic and public sectors. Our mission is to help Canadian businesses shift beyond traditional corporate social responsibility (CSR) to focusing on societal purpose as their reason for being.

Founded in 2018 by MaRS and the McConnell Foundation, B4PN believes that meaningful change requires all sectors to work together to tackle our most pressing social and environmental challenges. We see the potential of Canadian business to lead in the shift toward a purpose-based economy, taking responsibility to help overcome society’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The purpose of business

We believe business is a crucial and powerful partner in tackling society’s most complex challenges — that profit and purpose are inextricably linked, meaning as a business grows and succeeds, societal outcomes improve.

In practice, that means moving beyond traditional CSR, and engaging business to put societal purpose at the core of their work. B4PN’s multi-year strategy aims to galvanize Canadians so that our current economy can become a purpose-based economy, where, according to University of Oxford professor Colin Mayer, the purpose of business is “producing profitable solutions to the problems of people and planet, and not profiting from creating problems.”

Monthly Announcement

From climate change to social unrest, businesses across Canada are having to confront massive crises — and opportunities.
Sign up to our Monthly Announcement, where we share and assess the most important stories, events and ideas that are challenging the status quo across the purpose ecosystem.

WHAT WE DO

Catalyze, connect, amplify

We connect changemakers across sectors who are building capacity to help organizations move from noble intention to purposeful action.

B4PN builds the case for societal purpose in business by:

  • Conducting and supporting research
  • Creating awareness and educating stakeholders
  • Supporting the development of enabling policy
  • Encouraging the adoption and scale of best practices
  • Mobilizing and shifting resources

We are seeking to engage people and organizations from across sectors, to catalyze, connect, and amplify more purpose-driven work resulting in better business and better societal outcomes.

REPORTS

Canadian Business for Purpose Report

Bringing Corporate Purpose into the Mainstream: Directions for Canadian Law

Supporting B4PN means uniting Canadians toward a common purpose: a fair and prosperous economy, society, and a healthy planet.

Contact us to discuss philanthropic partnerships, research opportunities, or ways to get support on your purpose journey.

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