Frequently Asked Questions
Top 10 NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative questions:
What is the NGLCC Supplier Diversity
Initiative?
Is certification as a diverse
supplier unique to LGBT
companies?
What are the benefits of
certification for my
business?
What are the minimum criteria for
certification?
How long does it take to process my
certification application? How long does NGLCC
certification last?
Can an LGBT person(s) and a non-LGBT
person(s) jointly own a
company?
What steps are taken to ensure the
confidentiality of my
documents?
Why do I need a site inspection? Do
I have to pay for it?
What do I do after I receive my
certification?
Where do I find answers for
questions not covered here?
What is
the NGLCC Supplier Diversity
Initiative?
The NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative
(SDI) serves as the exclusive third-party
certifying organization of Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and/or Transgender owned Business
Enterprises (LGBTBEs). This program is the main
bridge between corporate America and LGBT-owned
businesses and entrepreneurs.
Back
to Top
Is certification as a
diverse supplier unique to LGBT
companies?
No. In fact, certification as an LGBTBE is
the third national certification available for
diverse businesses. The National Minority
Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has been
the national certification organization for
racial and ethnic minority business enterprises
(MBEs) for more than 35 years and has resulted
in tens of billions of dollars in procurement
contracts throughout its history for its
certified members. Additionally, the Women's
Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is
the major certifying body for women busienss
enterprises (WBEs). The NGLCC and its Corporate
Partners saw a need for a LGBT diversity
certification to create business development
opportunities for LGBTBEs. To meet this need,
the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative was
founded as the exclusive certifying
organization for LGBTBEs.
Back
to Top
What are the benefits of
certification for my business?
Certification as an LGBTBE gives your business the opportunity to compete for sourcing contracts with the NGLCC's Corporate Supplier Diversity Partners. These Corporate Partners are committed to creating a diverse supply chain that is inclusive of LGBT businesses, and have targeted amounts for spending with diverse business enterprises. Getting your business certified is a necessary element of gaining access to these millions of corporate dollars, and also includes these additional benefits:
- National recognition by America's top corporations as a certified LGBT Business Enterprise
- Eligibility to exhibit at the annual NGLCC Business and Leadership Conference, as well as at regional events
- Automatic inclusion in the NGLCC's online searchable database of certified businesses, which is accessible by NGLCC Corporate Partners
- Use of the NGLCC Certified Business logo on your marketing materials, which identifies your business as a certified LGBT Business Enterprise through the NGLCC to the NGLCC's national network
- Eligibility to receive sourcing opportunities e-mails from the NGLCC and its Corporate Partners
- Eligibility to participate in mentorship programs, leadership trainings, and scholarship opportunities presented by NGLCC Corporate Partners
Back
to Top
What are the minimum
criteria for certification?
- Be at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBT person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
- Exercise independence from any non-LGBT business enterprise
- Have its principle place of business (headquarters) in the United States
- Have been formed as a legal entity in the United States
Back
to Top
How long does it take to
process my certification application? How long
does NGLCC certification last?
Once your complete application is received
by the NGLCC, it will take 60 to 90 days to
process. Please note that failure to submit a
complete application will result in delays in
that processing time and that a site inspection
is a mandatory element of the initial
certification process. Certification as an LGBT
Business Enterprise lasts for one year from the
date certification is granted.
Back
to Top
Can an LGBT person(s) and a
non-LGBT person(s) jointly own a
company?
Yes, an LGBT person and a non-LGBT person
can own a company jointly; however, the LGBT
person must be the majority owner with at least
51% ownership and must demonstrate that his/her
management and control of the company, his/her
contribution of capital and/or expertise, and
his/her assumption of all profits and risks are
commensurate with his/her ownership
percentage.
Back
to Top
What steps are taken to
ensure the confidentiality of my
documents?
All documents are kept under lock and key
in NGLCC Headquarters. The NGLCC staff that has
access to those documents is limited to those
who play an integral role in preparation for
Certification Committee meetings and in
informing applicants of the status of their
application. Any committee members in a
competitive industry do not have access to the
file, nor are they present during any
discussion of your application. All members of
the NGLCC staff and the NGLCC Certification
Commitees sign the NGLCC Confidentiality
Agreement.
Back
to Top
Why do I need a site
inspection? Do I have to pay for
it?
Site inspections are a mandatory element of
the initial certification process, in
accordance with industry standards and
Corporate America's standards. Site inspections
provide a key perspective into the day-to-day
operation of a business. By seeing the facility
and asking a set of questions that is
complementary to the questions asked in the
application, the site inspection completes the
picture of the business applicant. The site
inspection plays an essential role in
demonstrating the ownership, operation,
control, and management of a business and
allows the NGLCC to become more familiar with
certified businesses. In the event a site visit
must be cancelled or rescheduled due to
scheduling conflicts or a lack of preparation
on the part of the applicant business, a fee
may be incurred which must be paid by the
applicant, otherwise there is no fee for the
site inspection. All site inspections are
scheduled in consultation with the business
seeking certification. There are no surprise
site visits.
Back
to Top
What do I do after I receive
my certification?
After you receive your certification letter
and certificate in the mail, the next step is
to register with the NGLCC's Corporate Partners
through the NGLCC website. Registration with
each Corporate Partner is slightly different,
and it is critical to get your business into
the database of each of our Corporate Supplier
Diversity Partners. After you are registered,
work with NGLCC staff to learn the best ways to
reach out to our Corporate Partners through
letters, phone calls, and NGLCC matchmaking
events.
Back
to Top
Where do I
find answers for questions not covered
here?
You can download the full
Frequently Asked Questions list. Also,
consult the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative
Standards
and Procedures, or contact the NGLCC Supplier
Diversity team via email, or via phone at
202.419.0440.
Back
to Top