Here is an example of how benefit corporations can provide clear advantages to the public over profit corporations in the same field.

Few things are more important to seniors than remaining self-reliant and in a familiar place-one's own home. Since 1984, Homeowner Options for Massachusetts Elders (HOME) has helped low- and moderate-income homeowners across the State to maintain independence in their own homes.

HOME does this by providing comprehensive, in-home counseling to elder homeowners on their housing, financial, and resource options-helping them to pursue these options through HOME's network of housing and elder service agencies, community lenders, attorneys, and other personally service-oriented professionals.

HOME's counseling takes place in the elders' homes. This important session, generally lasting 2-3 hours, stresses "remainder-of-life planning;" it helps elders think about how to access and use their home equity for the rest of their lives -- not just their immediate crisis. It also considers current problems and possible solutions. Counselors connect seniors with options -- property tax abatements and deferrals, Food Stamps, fuel assistance, sale-and-leasebacks, and where appropriate, a nationally unique set of loan and credit options developed by HOME.

For every dollar it spends, HOME has leveraged about $48 in private and public protection for elders. How's that for return-on-investment?