Learn About LGBTQ+ Owned Business Certification

Did you know that more than 160 corporations, including Wells Fargo, PG&E, Facebook and BART, now recognize certified LGBT-owned businesses as part of their diverse and inclusive supply chains? With a membership tailored to Bay Area LGBTQ+ business owners, the GGBA has guided over 100 members to national certification as NGLCC LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE).

The GGBA works in partnership with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) to bring to our members the opportunity to get their businesses certified as an LGBT Business Enterprise.  NGLCC is the exclusive third-party organization for the LGBT Business Enterprises certification.

Does your business meet the following criteria?

• Majority (at least 51%) owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBT person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents

• Exercises independence from any non-LGBT business enterprise

• Has its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States

• Has been formed as a legal business entity in the United States

In 2018, the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index began to require that companies make efforts to include LGBTBEs in their supply chains in order to receive a score of 100. Your company can benefit from this historic opportunity.

Get Your LGBT Owned Business Certification Today!

And if you join the GGBA, your LGBTBE certification fee is waived, while you get to enjoy all the benefits of being part of your local chamber. Learn more, sign up, or access your MyNGLCC account below.

The Business Case for Supplier Diversity:  Three Streams of Opportunity

Throughout this website you have heard about the important work GGBA is doing to open the ‘pipelines’ of contract opportunities within the procurement programs of large corporations. This is stream Number One. We have key partners like the NGLCC who are working tirelessly with over 160 corporations on that front.  We encourage you to get LGBTBE certified and step into this exciting procurement stream. 

Stream Number Two of our Supplier Diversity efforts focus specific attention on the ‘business to business’ opportunities that come directly from interaction between GGBA members. This is an important, and potentially huge, stream of business growth opportunity for you because GGBA is ‘chock full’ of business decision makers who are looking to hire services from the entire gamut of professional services, contractors, manufacturers, commodities business found within the GGBA.  When the GGBA talks about ‘Living Its Mission’ it is this ‘B2B’ stream we are referring to most.  Our events are designed to focus specific intention on ‘connecting’ people so that they can hire the ‘solutions’ that your company provides. The opportunities in this stream are literally limitless but you need to ‘get engaged.’  You can’t sit on the sidelines – you need to step into the stream! Monitor https://ggba.com/event-list  frequently for events that happen numerous times throughout each month.

Stream Number Three is the pipeline that originates from government contracting opportunities.  This sector is growing rapidly thanks to our colleagues and elected officials in local, state and federal government agencies. There may be specific certifications that are relevant based on the specific government agency (including your LGBTBE) but the rewards can lead to sustainable business growth for your business both as a Prime Contractor AND as a subconsultant/subcontractor.  Contact director@ggba.com for customized support for this procurement channel.

About the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business advocate and direct link between LGBT business owners, corporations and government. As the umbrella organization for 62 state and local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) chambers of commerce and business organizations, the NGLCC represents the interests of the more than 1.4 million LGBT owned businesses in the United States.

The NGLCC is the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of LGBT business community. It is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world.

As a national organization, the NGLCC is a clearinghouse of ideas and information for and between businesses and organizations. The NGLCC works with state and local chambers and business groups on various issues. Most importantly, the NGLCC is the premier advocate on behalf of LGBT owned businesses, professionals, students of business, and corporations that share in our desire to expand the community's financial opportunities, economic growth, continued innovation, and equality.