The B Impact Clinic, a new program of Paul College’s Center for Social Innovation & Enterprise (in partnership with The Casey School and UNH’s Sustainability Institute), was recently awarded a 1-year grant for just under $20,000 from the Henry David Thoreau Foundation’s Faculty grant program which funds “visionary programs at U.S. undergraduate institutions that foster environmental leadership and engaged scholarship.” They particularly seek programs that provide hands-on research and leadership opportunities, and that strengthen partnerships with community organizations and businesses to develop sustainable collaborations with colleges or universities.
The B Impact Clinic was a strong match for this Foundation’s mission, and we are delighted that the B Impact Clinic was invited to apply and awarded a grant.
Started and led by Fiona Wilson, the B Impact Clinic matches small teams of students, supported by faculty and peer mentors (students who have previously participated in the program) with regional companies interested in measuring and improving their environmental and social impact. The program is centered around the B Impact Assessment (BIA), an open access tool developed by the non-profit, B Lab, widely considered to be the most comprehensive and rigorous assessment of a company’s sustainability efforts. Students act as researchers, project managers and consultants to help companies collect the extensive data needed to complete the BIA, and make recommendations for improvement.
The grant will fund operational expenses for this program for the coming year, including refinement of the curriculum, text books, stipends for peer mentors, program expenses, and travel for student teams to visit their client locations.
