While developing programs, highlighting community events, and promoting sustainable practices in the community, BSC will develop partnerships among nonprofits, governmental entities, faith-based organizations, and businesses.

 

BSC will draw upon expertise within the community to provide the informational programs to encourage a better understanding of the value of sustainability, how to practice it, and the threats to it.

 

BSC may agree to write a letter of support for a grant. BSC will first determine if the requesting entity’s goals and/or purposes align with those of the BSC in the promotion of sustainability . (see Sustainability Standards below)

 

Relationships With Businesses: Event Partnerships and Sponsorships

The BSC may partner with businesses for events, programs, and educational initiatives that advance our environmental mission. These partnerships must align with BSC's values and sustainability standards while maintaining our independence, credibility, and non-profit status.

 

Types of Business Involvement

Businesses may participate in BSC events in the following ways:

• Event sponsors providing financial or in-kind support

• Educational presenters sharing expertise on sustainable practices

• Collaborative partners co-hosting or co-developing programs

• Facility providers offering space for BSC activities

 

Approval Process

Any business partnership involving financial contributions, prominent recognition, or significant collaboration requires BSC approval through the following process:

1. A BSC member or committee chair submits a partnership proposal including: business name and description, nature of involvement, benefits to BSC and the business, and preliminary sustainability assessment

2. One or two BSC members, appointed by the BSC Chair(s), will evaluate the business against BSC sustainability standards 

3. The BSC Board will discuss and vote on the partnership, requiring approval by at least 2/3 of members present at a Board meeting

 

Maintaining BSC Independence and Credibility

To preserve our integrity as an environmental organization, BSC will maintain clear boundaries in business partnerships:

• No endorsement of products or services. Business involvement in BSC events does not constitute BSC endorsement unless the business has separately completed our business endorsement process. All communications must clearly state: "Participation in BSC events does not constitute endorsement."

• Educational content only. Business presentations at BSC events must be informative and educational, focusing on environmental topics, sustainable practices, or relevant expertise. Presentations cannot be primarily promotional, solicit customers, or serve as advertising vehicles.

• Appropriate recognition. BSC will not provide advertising services, promotional campaigns, or lobbying on behalf of partner businesses.

• Mission alignment required. All partnerships must advance BSC's environmental mission. The partnership should enhance BSC's ability to educate, inspire action, or protect the environment.

• BSC retains control. BSC maintains final authority over event content, messaging, format, and decisions. Business partners provide input but cannot control or veto BSC's educational content or positions on environmental issues.

 

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

To maintain objectivity and public trust:

• No personal financial benefit. BSC Board members and volunteers involved in partnership decisions cannot accept monetary payments, gifts, services, or other personal benefits from businesses partnering with BSC.

• Disclosure required. Any BSC member who has received or expects to receive compensation, employment, or other material benefits from a potential business partner must disclose this relationship and recuse themselves from evaluation, discussion, and voting on that partnership.

• Transparency. Major business partnerships and sponsors will be disclosed on the BSC website and in relevant materials to maintain transparency with our members and the public.

 

Sustainability Standards for Event Partners

Businesses partnering with BSC on events should meet meaningful sustainability standards. While we recognize that different businesses face different sustainability challenges, partner businesses should demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship.

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We employ the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency definition of sustainability:

 

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.

 

Several major threats to sustainability have been identified, including: emission of greenhouse gases; destruction and degradation of natural habitat, including deforestation; generation of excessive waste; air, water, and land pollution; excessive/unnecessary use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and single-use plastics; depletion of natural resources; loss of biodiversity; and water scarcity.

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BSC recognizes the importance of animal welfare, both domestic and wild, within the framework of a sustainable environment. BSC adheres to the following statement developed by the Global Animal Law Association.

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Protecting the welfare of animals in natural ecosystems contributes to the preservation of biodiversity by maintaining ecological balance and ecosystem services. Additionally, sustainable land management practices that prioritise animal welfare, such as rotational grazing and habitat restoration, can help preserve natural habitats and mitigate the loss of biodiversity caused by agricultural expansion and intensification. 

 

Evaluation Criteria

When evaluating potential business partners for events, the BSC Council will consider:

 

Core Impact: Taken as a whole, does their main business activity and supply chain support sustainability in a meaningful way?  We will consider the extent to which the business/supply chain employs sustainable practices, threatens sustainability in the ways listed above, and is more or less sustainable than other businesses in the same area.  The key criteria is the extent to which the net contribution of the business favors sustainability.     

 

Environmental Practices: Have they taken meaningful action to reduce waste, use sustainable materials, minimize toxic chemicals, and lower their environmental footprint?

Values & Accountability: Do they treat employees fairly, engage their community on sustainability, and openly track their environmental goals?

 

Disqualifying Factors

BSC will not partner with businesses whose core activities are fundamentally incompatible with environmental stewardship, including but not limited to:

• Fossil fuel extraction, processing, or distribution as a primary business

• Businesses primarily engaged in activities that destroy critical habitat or biodiversity

• Businesses with recent, serious environmental violations or ongoing environmental litigation

• Manufacturers or distributors of products banned or restricted due to environmental harm

 

Special Considerations for Different Partnership Types

Event Sponsors: Financial or in-kind sponsors will be evaluated using the full criteria above. Sponsor recognition should be proportionate and professional. BSC reserves the right to decline sponsorships that create the appearance of impropriety or mission conflict.

Educational Presenters: Businesses presenting on sustainable practices, environmental topics, or industry expertise must provide genuinely educational content. The presentation should help attendees understand environmental issues or sustainable solutions, not serve as a sales pitch. BSC staff or volunteers should review presentation materials in advance when possible.

Facility Providers: When businesses provide event space, BSC should consider the facility's environmental features (energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling infrastructure, accessibility, public transportation access) but recognizes that facility choices may be limited by availability and budget.

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November 15, 2025