The NGLCC is the exclusive, third-party certification body that verifies that eligible businesses are majority-owned by LGBT individual, and subsequently grants LGBT Business Enterprise® (LGBTBE®) designation to such businesses as part of its LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative.

 By becoming a certified LGBTBE, businesses are able to build relationships with America's leading corporations, generate prospective business and clients, and collectively team with each other for contracting opportunities. As corporate America becomes more inclusive and further diversifies its supply chain, certification offers the opportunity for LGBT-owned businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors. 

Certified LGBTBEs are routinely sought after by NGLCC Corporate Partners who are looking to increase their spend with the LGBT business community through our internal, proprietary database. LGBTBEs in turn have access to over 90 contacts with corporate representatives and supplier diversity professionals to begin building strategic relationships and making preparations to meet face-to-face with them at NGLCC matchmaking and networking events, which are held across the country throughout the year. Certified LGBTBEs are also eligible for scholarship programs, mentorship and leadership training, and other business development tools following one year.

Other benefits that LGBTBE Certification offers include: 

• Registration in NGLCC’s database that is constantly searched by procurement professionals for their product and service needs 
  
• Opportunities for event sponsorship that highlight your certified business and provide increased visibility locally and nationally 
  
• Attendance at future NGLCC SDI matchmaking events 
  
• Opportunities for vendor tables at our corporate Workplace Alliance events 
  

• 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 entity in the United States

 In order for applicant businesses to be certified, all applicable documentation must be supplied in full accordance with NGLCC SDI Standards and Procedures or an applicant business may be denied approval for certification. Please consult the document, which describes the criteria for certification and the application process. If you have questions, check out the NGLCC's Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the NGLCC SDI Team directly at 202-234-9181.

Here is a video from NGLCC to help understand certification better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqw1a3O9FmI