How to get certified as an LGBTQIA+ owned business

LGBQTIA+ companies are a necessary a part of the American financial system, contributing over $1.7 trillion in income and tens of hundreds of jobs every year. To assist this development, the Nationwide Homosexual and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) created the LGBTBE® certification program. This program helps LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and enterprise house owners to compete within the mainstream market.

Certification can provide an a variety of benefits, together with serving to you join with different companies and organizations which might be dedicated to range and inclusion. It additionally highlights your dedication to equality and helps promote your enterprise as a pacesetter within the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood.

On this article, we’ll stroll you thru the method of getting licensed as an LGBTQIA+ owned enterprise and the way it can profit your enterprise shifting ahead.

What’s LGBTBE® certification?

LGBTBE® certification is granted by the Nationwide Homosexual and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The NGLCC is the unique, third-party certification physique that verifies that eligible companies are majority-owned by LGBTQIA+ people. It additionally subsequently grants the Licensed LGBT Enterprise Enterprise® (Licensed LGBTBE®) designation to such companies as a part of its LGBT Provider Variety Initiative.

This certification offers LGBTQIA+ enterprise house owners entry to an a variety of benefits, similar to:

• A robust enterprise community of over 200 company companions. Every companion is dedicated to provider range and the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ owned companies of their provide chains.
• Elevated visibility for your enterprise via NGLCC’s in depth on-line database of Licensed LGBTBE® corporations.
• Entry to NGLCC’s nationwide, worldwide, and native occasions all year long.

Who qualifies for LGBTBE® certification?

To be eligible for NGLCC certification, your enterprise have to be majority-owned by an LGBTQIA+ individual or individuals. As well as, no less than 51 % of the administration and day by day operations of the corporate have to be managed by LGBTQIA+ people. The appliance course of contains offering documentation to show each possession and citizenship.

What are the advantages of LGBTBE® certification?

The LGBTQIA+ neighborhood is a thriving financial driver. In truth, information reveals that there’s over $3.7 trillion {dollars} in buying energy within the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood. As well as, analysis from the NGLCC discovered that LGBTQIA+ patrons are 75 % extra more likely to change manufacturers in the event that they know they’re inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood.

Not solely does LGBTBE® certification join you with like-minded enterprise house owners and company allies, but it surely additionally permits your organization to faucet into an entire host of unique alternatives. A few of these embrace:

• Entry to unique networking and enterprise improvement alternatives.
• Free or discounted charges for NGLCC occasions and webinars.
• Mentorship and academic packages via the NGLCC community.
• Reductions on services and products from NGLCC companions.
• Scholarship alternatives via Tuck’s Faculty of Enterprise Government Schooling Program at Dartmouth.
• The power to showcase your dedication to range and inclusion (D&I) to customers, workers, and companions.

As well as, range and inclusion has change into a high precedence for a lot of American companies. Gaining LGBTBE® certification can assist you stand out when competing for enterprise alternatives.

You’ll additionally function a job mannequin for up-and-coming LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and assist pave the way in which for a extra inclusive financial system.

get LGBTBE® certification

Functions for LGBTBE® certification can be found on-line via the NGLCC. There’s a four-step software course of for companies that want to change into licensed. Software charges are sometimes waived for any enterprise that’s already a member of a neighborhood NGLCC-affiliated Homosexual and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Right here’s the best way to get began.

1. Fill out the web software

First, create a enterprise profile on my.nglcc.org. At this stage, you have to present documentation to show that you just meet the necessities for certification. The required paperwork should attest that every majority firm proprietor is LGBTQIA+ and that they’ve management, handle, function, and possess no less than 51 % of the agency. You possibly can study extra in regards to the particular documentation required for NGLCC certification on its web site.

Please notice there’s a $400 charge (present to the time of this publish’s publication) to submit your software.

2. Schedule an on-site go to

All Licensed LGBTBE® corporations should present web site visits to the NGLCC’s regional certification committees. These visits serve two functions: First, they supply a possibility for the committee to change into conversant in the enterprise and its day-to-day operations. Second, these visits give committee members an opportunity to get to know you and your enterprise targets higher.

Web site visits are usually half-hour lengthy and will be scheduled at a time that’s handy for you.

3. Your software will probably be reviewed

After your go to, the Nationwide Certification Committee will decide your certification standing. This course of can take as much as 90 days.

4. Get authorised and onboarded

As soon as your software is authorised, you’ll be invited to take part in an orientation webinar. This can be a nice alternative to study extra about the advantages of certification and the best way to take advantage of them.

LGBTBE® certification for individuals of coloration

Intersectionality is a key worth at NGLCC, which is why they’ve dedicated to selling LGBTBE® certification for individuals of coloration via the Communities of Coloration Initiative (CoCI). If you’re an individual of coloration and are enthusiastic about getting licensed, attain out to coci@nglcc.org.

LGBTQIA+ companies who’re additionally minority enterprise house owners can also be eligible for Minority Enterprise Enterprise (MBE) certification, which might provide further alternatives for presidency contracts and set-asides (contracts that the federal government has put aside for companies that adjust to sure necessities). Study extra about MBE certification right here.

Have fun your satisfaction with LGBTBE® certification

Turning into a Licensed LGBTBE® firm can assist your enterprise join with a wider neighborhood of LGBTQIA+ supporters, in addition to authorities establishments and funding choices.

To not point out, by rising your enterprise’s visibility as an inclusive and welcoming house for everybody, you’re not solely supporting the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood, but additionally serving to to create a extra various and affluent future for us all.

Disclaimer: Fundbox and its associates don’t present tax, authorized, or accounting recommendation. This materials has been ready for informational functions solely, and isn’t supposed to supply, and shouldn’t be relied on for tax, authorized, or accounting recommendation. You must seek the advice of your individual tax, authorized, and accounting advisors earlier than partaking in any transaction.