Describe your business.

Benchmark Research specializes in comprehensive management of medical research trials as a site management organization to pharmaceutical firms for drug development. We have grown from a one-man operation in 1997 to over 60 people, with 7 offices in 3 states. Revenues in 2009 exceeded $13,000,000. This growth has been accomplished without seeking outside investors or loans. Benchmark Research works hard and smart, so we can do good while making good. The medical advances we help develop today, equal a healthier & longer life for all generations tomorrow.

How have you impacted your community?

Benchmark Research is a leading force of professional accountability within the vital & evolving business of drug development. In an industry where people, medicine, safety and quality data are crucial, it is imperative that those conducting the research are the most knowledgeable and qualified. Mark`s previous position on the ACRP Board of Directors allowed him to help shape and promote an education & certification program designed for the physicians, monitors and coordinators of the pharmaceutical research industry. Benchmark bears the expense and encourages our team members to complete the ACRP certification program in order to ensure that we remain in the top of our field. Benchmark is nationally recognized for improving industry success without compromising excellent results. In 2009 we worked with 5 of the 6 pharmaceutical firms seeking FDA approval of the urgently needed H1N1 flu vaccine, enrolling more patients for these government-sponsored trials than any other U.S. firm.

How are you giving back to the community?

Our employees come first. We create an environment where both personal growth and professional success flourish. We have witnessed pride and self-confidence increase within our team members, causing them to become active in their communities and strengthen their family bonds. With offices in diverse locations, community need is best addressed locally. Each quarter all of our offices select a nonprofit charity, or charities, in their local area that they want to assist. They volunteer to work in whatever capacity is needed. While our team donates their time, Benchmark pays them their normal salary. Additionally, each office is given a monetary donation that they can give to a local charity of their choice. This allows our team members to fully focus on the impact they can have in their community -- giving the gift of time and money to help out in areas where they live.

Describe your business.

Bioengineering Group is a woman-owned science, engineering consulting and design firm and a pioneer in the field of sustainable design. Services include engineering, landscape architecture, and construction management services with a mission of building sustainable communities on an ecological foundation. Projects include the $1.4B hurricane protection systems now in construction in New Orleans.

How have you impacted your community?

As a proponent for the early adoption of sustainable technologies, Wendi and her team see each project as an opportunity to restore and contribute to triple bottom line outcomes. The firm introduced a new interdisciplinary model for managing complex projects. Bioengineering Group`s project results demonstrate that sustainable solutions do not need to cost more to succeed.

How are you giving back to the community?

Wendi is a federal appointee to the National Women`s Business Council and a national advocate for educating young women on opportunities in technology, science and engineering careers. In 1999, Wendi led the establishment of the Center for Urban Watershed Renewal, a charitable foundation dedicated to promoting ecological stewardship in the most degraded urban areas. 60,000 acres have been restored

Describe your business.

FatWallet is an online shopping resource that connects merchants and consumers by promoting rewards, coupons and special discounts. Membership is free for the consumer and funded by merchants who pay a commission of the generated sales.

How have you impacted your community?

Recognized within the affiliate marketing space for demonstrating the highest level of professionalism, FatWallet has received the Affiliate Marketing Legend Award in addition to many other industry accolades. Using pay-for-performance advertising, we have directly impacted over $1 billion in transactions for partnered merchants. FatWallet shares commissions in the form of cash back rewards, generating over $28 million in consumer savings.

How are you giving back to the community?

FatWallet is committed to promoting what`s good in the community, making material contributions that have lasting impact on youth activities and education infrastructure. Throughout each year, FatWallet and its charitable foundation donate a percentage of profits totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to a variety of national causes and regional events.

Describe your business.

KIND is a brand of all natural whole nut and fruit bars made from ingredients you can see and pronounce, and it`s also a movement that gives new purpose to snacking. At KIND, we aim to transform mindless snacking into snacking that is KIND to your body, your taste buds and the world. We achieve this by challenging false compromises and creating foods that are healthy AND which taste good. Beyond making delicious snacks, we strive to make the world a bit kinder through our KIND Movement, which allows people to support causes simply by being kind.

How have you impacted your community?

Since its inception, KIND has climbed the ranks in the retail channel -- challenging category titans such as Clif and Larabar. In fact, KIND drove an unprecedented 70 percent of category growth in 2009, according to Nielsen`s SPINS data. Additionally, KIND is the only brand in the category with a value proposition that extends beyond natural foods -- a fact that was cemented in June 2009 when KIND gained distribution at the notoriously selective retailer, Starbucks. Most recently, the growing demand for KIND is driving international expansion into Canada, Dubai and Japan.

How are you giving back to the community?

At KIND, we strive to make the world a bit kinder thought our KIND Movement, which empowers people to turn KIND acts into support for causes. To date, more than 42,000 KIND acts have been reported at KINDMovement.com in support of nearly 150 causes. And at the close of June, we donated a cumulative total of $40,000 to the three causes that inspired the greatest number of KIND acts. Additionally, KIND is committed to helping resolve our nation`s health problems by creating foods that unite health and taste. KIND is proud to have been recently recognized by Yale`s Prevention Research Center for its role in battling obesity.