Annual Public Benefit Report
Public Benefit Corporations (PBCs) are legally required to pursue a public benefit purpose. Unlike traditional corporations, which typically prioritize maximizing shareholder profits above all, PBCs are required to consider the impact of their decisions on various stakeholders –including customers, employees, and the community. While traditional corporations may engage in socially responsible activities, these actions are at the discretion of the board and management and are not mandated by law.
LAST UPDATED: JUNE 2024
Our Stakeholders
Clients
Employees
Community
Environment
Our Purpose
Make Life Better for BSW clients, staff and our broader community by building a long-term, sustainable, and environmentally considerate business that helps our clients and stakeholders achieve both financial security and lives of meaning, abundance, and fulfillment.
Measuring Impact
At BSW Wealth Partners, we attempt to measure what matters by employing the B Corp Impact Assessment (BIA) as our compass. The BIA helps us assess our impact on key stakeholders—workers, community, customers, and the environment—guiding us in identifying and pursuing opportunities for improvement. B Corp scores are posted publicly which we view as creating healthy and virtuous competition for a shared and durable prosperity for all.
BSW Clients
If you are wondering why our clients are prominently featured in our public benefit report, it’s because we view them as integral to our operations. They are key stakeholders who actively contribute to enhancing our communities. To us, they personify our Mission to Make Life Better.
At BSW, we view our business as more than just a profit-making entity. We see it as a powerful tool for societal improvement, where our clients have an opportunity to play a crucial role in this transformative journey. Clients are given the opportunity to be not just participants but catalysts, driving the essence of what we believe it means to be a dynamic and thriving community whether that’s through supporting underrepresented artists, caring for the environment through regenerative agriculture practices, or providing scholarships for women breaking barriers in the outdoor industry.
We believe BSW’s clients are shaping the fabric of our society, ensuring that both their legacy and ours are characterized by sustained prosperity and mutual enrichment.
Community Engagement
It’s not just about who you say you are; we believe it’s what you do that truly defines you. At BSW, we attempt to develop and nurture our community from the inside out.
In 2024, Boulder and Broomfield counties are confronting harsh reality: 34,000 individuals, including approximately 6,400 children –12% of the area’s youth—are facing food insecurity. The cost of a meal in these areas is also 30% higher than the national average. To address this, BSW is committed to supporting Community Food Share, a chosen partner for company-wide initiatives. Beyond corporate support, our employees personally contribute, collectively raising over $1,000 annually and volunteering more than 1500 hours to help tackle this critical issue.
Advancing Equity
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to equity and inclusion, which we attempt to treat with the same rigor and dedication as any other critical business function. We strive to create a community rooted in respect, love, and mutual support, open to all individuals. We believe our actions, partnerships, and programs reflect a deep-seated commitment to making meaningful, systemic change.
The increasing diversity of CFP professionals, including a rising percentage of women earning their CFP® designation, seems to signal a positive shift toward a more inclusive financial planning landscape.
In an attempt to align with industry-wide efforts, we’re not just aspiring to diversity; we’re actively forging a future where we hope it becomes the norm. Through education, scholarships, and partnerships, we’re attempting to transform the landscape of financial planning to be truly inclusive.
BSW PFP Program Scholarship
Each year, BSW awards a scholarship to a student in the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Leeds School of Business who is enrolled in the Personal Financial Planning program. Eligible candidates must qualify in two or more of the following categories: exceptional GPA, member of the diverse scholars, women in business, or first-generation college student.
Pictured left: Chevie Walerowicz
Gender Equity
BSW’s foundation as a woman-led firm and our commitment to gender equity have been unwavering. Achieving GEN Certification enhanced our understanding and implementation of gender equity practices. This recognition, considered the national gold standard for gender equity in the U.S. workplace, confirms our commitment to excellence across key areas: Bias Neutrality, Accessibility, Gender Perception Gap, Employee Resonance, and Visible Advocacy. Through a rigorous assessment that combines employee feedback with policy analysis, the GEN Certification benchmarks our dedication to an equity-focused culture. We proudly exemplify gender diversity with women making up 50% of our advisors, demonstrating our commitment to not only meet but exceed standards of gender equity. However, it’s worth noting that industry challenges persist, with one third of female advisors considering leaving their positions within the next 12 months due to lack of support. This underscores the significant work still needed to ensure true gender equity across the industry. (investmentnews.com)
Environmental Stewardship
At BSW, we prioritize long term solutions over quick fixes. In an attempt to offset our carbon footprint, we support verified emissions reduction projects through Native, A Public Benefit Corporation. Currently we are helping finance smallholder farmers in Mexico, and in previous years, we have supported the Medford Spring Grassland Conservation project – a Southern Plains Land Trust initiative to acquire and conserve 6,900 acres of grassland in southeastern Colorado. We attempt to balance CO2 released into the atmosphere from BSW’s activities with an equivalent amount being removed.
For many of us, the natural beauty of Colorado with its rolling vistas and expansive skies inspires our daily lives and underscores the shared value of our environment. This deep appreciation drives our commitment to environmental stewardship, an essential element of our mission. Each year, BSW collaborates with One Tree Planted to purchase trees on behalf of our clients, further demonstrating our dedication to nurturing the planet.
The Dream Team
At the heart of our organization lies our most valuable asset – our people. The exceptional tenure and loyalty reflect a goal of longevity and stability that we believe is increasingly rare in today’s market. BSW remains independent, not swayed by the trends of acquisitions that often dominate our industry.
To us, the minimal turnover within our team speaks volumes; it tells a story of a workplace where employees are engaged, committed to growth, and more importantly, they choose to stay. We believe this is a testament to the positive, enduring workplace culture we try to cultivate.
As a B Corp, we take pride in ensuring that all our employees are paid a living wage, which is critical as Deloitte’s recent global survey highlighted that nearly half of Gen Z and over a third of millennials have taken on additional jobs to cope with the high cost of living, further exemplifying our commitment to a sustainable and equitable business model. This practice not only supports our team but also attempts to set a standard in the industry for how employees should be valued and treated.
Moreover, given the current economic pressures where workers are feeling exhausted and burned out due to long working hours, job insecurity, and the stress of hybrid work environments, BSW is dedicated to fostering a supportive and flexible work culture. We recognize the importance of work-life balance and are committed to the well-being of our employees, making BSW a caring place to work.
The Heart of BSW’s Strategy
We understand that rules and processes are not just bureaucratic necessities; they are catalysts for profound change over time, reminiscent of transformative legislations like the 13th and 19th amendments. At our foundation, we’re convinced there’s a superior approach to business—one that not only serves shareholders but all stakeholders. Embracing our role as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), we believe we’re at the forefront, attempting to guide the shift towards stakeholder capitalism. This transition is about more than just a title; it’s about setting a precedent for how businesses can operate with a broader purpose in mind. We believe effective governance and transparency are crucial to this process, hence the importance of detailed rules and regulations. For comprehensive insights into our practices and the impact of our work, we invite you to review the disclosures associated with our Annual Public Benefit reporting requirements.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
–MAYA ANGELOU
Our expanding mission to Make Life Better stems from just that: the willingness and desire to continuously evolve for the benefit of all.
“Fair and Balanced” Disclosure
Client backgrounds and experiences can and will vary. Common client traits should not be used as the sole basis for evaluating whether to hire or retain an investment adviser.
Not all services will be appropriate or necessary for all clients, and the potential value and benefit of the adviser’s services will vary based upon the client’s individual investment, financial, and tax circumstances. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing comes with risk, including risk of loss.
