Corporate America has stated its desire to work with the LGBT business community, but until recently there was no independent third party certification organization. After talking with corporate diversity managers and LGBT business owners alike, we discovered it was clear that certification as a LGBT-owned business was needed to create an avenue in which Corporate America could do business with LGBT America. To meet this challenge the NGLCC joined with First Founding Partner IBM as well as Wells Fargo & Company, JPMorgan Chase, Motorola, Cendant, Intel, Wyndham International, and American Airlines to create the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative.
The NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative was inspired by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest certifying bodies for minority and women-owned businesses, and their missions to create opportunities for minority owned businesses to gain development and procurement opportunities with major corporations.
Serving as the exclusive certifying organization of LGBT-owned businesses, the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative is the main bridge between Corporate America and LGBT-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Ensuring increased vendor contracts and procurement opportunities for NGLCC certified businesses is the main priority of the initiative.
Certification Criteria
As an LGBT business owner or entrepreneur, you'll have more opportunities to build your business and win contracts once you become certified. NGLCC is the only organization that offers supplier diversity certification. And, we work with corporations and organizations to create opportunities for LGBT businesses throughout the country.
Apply for certification today:
- Apply online (coming soon) or print out and mail the application to us (don't forget to include all supporting documentation).
- A mandatory site visit** will be scheduled and documentation will be reviewed by the NGLCC Certification Committee.
- If all terms and conditions are satisfied, receive certification within 120 days* of NGLCC's receipt of your application, supporting documentation and completion of a site visit.
- Once you're certified, register with our corporate partners.
Already certified? If so, visit our corporate participation page to find out which corporations are part of our supplier diversity program.
*This is the estimated time frame provided all supporting documentation is provided in a timely manner.
**You will be contacted by an NGLCC representative to arrange a mandatory site visit of your business location(s). At that time additional supporting documentation may be requested.
To learn more about corporate participation or individual business certification, please email us at corporaterelations@nglcc.org or supplierdiversity@nglcc.org and an NGLCC representative will follow up with you regarding the process.
San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce DEVO Program
DEVO Website
Vendor Registration Program - Frequently Asked Questions
Every year millions of dollars are spent on goods and services by public agencies. To ensure that small and emerging businesses are able to participate in the procurement process, the Diverse Emerging Vendor Outreach Program (DEVO) was created by the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SDCHCC) and the City of San Diego Purchasing Division.
What public agencies support the DEVO program?
To increase the participation levels of small and emerging businesses in the procurement process for the City of San Diego, San Diego County Water Authority, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego Unified Port of San Diego, and the Metropolitan Water District have partnered to support the DEVO program.
What businesses are eligible?
Small and emerging businesses as well as micro-enterprises may be eligible.
Micro-enterprise: Business with five or fewer employees, including owner. Business owners must meet specific standards including, but not limited to, HUD income levels, residence location, head of household status, and family size. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of eligibility.
Small Business: Business smaller than the median size business within that North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as measured by its employment, business receipts, or business assets.
Emerging Small Businesses: Business concern whose size is no larger than 50% of the numerical size standard to the NAICS code assigned to the contracting opportunity.
If you are not sure whether your business is eligible, look up your company size on the SBA list at https://eweb1.sba.gov/naics/dsp_naicssearch2.cfm or you can call the Hispanic Chamber at 619-702-0790.
How can a business participate?
By filling out the DEVO registration form and mailing it to the SDCHCC. One may also visit www.sdchcc.com, and click on the Vendor Outreach link.
What kind of businesses are in the DEVO database?
These public agencies buy a variety of products, and need different services. The 1400+ vendor database ranges from: landscapers, plumbers, printers, janitorial suppliers, caterers, furnishings, office equipment, boat equipment, photographers, restaurant equipment, and many more.
How long has the DEVO program been in operation? What have been the results?
The DEVO program has been in operation since July of 2001. From July 2001 through December 2004 reports show that over $55 million dollars have been generated and over 5,000 purchase orders have been awarded to 624 DEVO certified businesses.
Your participation will entitle you to additional information and services. But you can't participate if you don't register.