Growth and marketing strategy

How to get certified as a LGBTQ-owned business

‹ Back to The Vine

SHARE:

In a 2017 survey, the NGLCC (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce) issued the first comprehensive report on LGBTQ-owned businesses in the United States. Based on data from about 450 such businesses, they calculated that—based on an average revenue of $2.4 million—the nation’s estimated 1.4 million LGBTQ-owned businesses could be contributing over $1.7 trillion to the national economy every year, a claim they uphold to this day.

But despite this success, business owners who openly identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer may still have disproportionate difficulty accessing loans or government grants. Thankfully, if you identify as LGBTQ, there are more exclusive opportunities available to grow your business than ever. Your first step is to become certified as LGBTQ-owned with the NGLCC.

What you need to know

  • The NGLCC is the sole certification body for LGBTQ-owned businesses, and they define one as a registered business that’s at least fifty-one percent owned and operated by an LGBTQ person or people.
  • Official certification comes with specialized access to public and private diversity contracts, training and networking opportunities, and customer segments.
  • The NGLCC certification process is simple, requiring you to submit documents online and receive a site visit from a representative.

What counts as an LGBTQ-owned business?

The NGLCC defines an LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) as a privately-owned and registered U.S. business that is “at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBTQ person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.” An LGBTE operates independently of any non-LGBTQ businesses. 

If your business meets all of these criteria, you can register as an LGBTQ-owned business with the NGLCC. Similar criteria apply for LGBTBEs registering with the SBA’s 8(a) program or local government programs.

What is the NGLCC? 

The NGLCC is a private non-profit organization and the official certifier of LGBTQ-owned businesses in the United States. 

The NGLCC was founded as the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in 2002 by Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell, to create a national advocating body for LGBTQ business owners. Since its inception, the organization has partnered with companies and government agencies to create economic opportunities such as fully LGBTQ supply chains and targets for LGBTQ public contracts in major cities.

The NGLCC launched its Certified LGBTBE program in 2004 to help LGBTQ business owners access these opportunities. In 2017, the organization changed its name to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (but still uses their original NGLCC initialism).

4 benefits of becoming a certified as an LGBTBE 

Getting certified with the NGLCC will help you reap the unique benefits afforded to members of their network. Here are some of the ways this certification can help your business grow:

1. Access training and networking opportunities

    Certification through the NGLCC lets you access a wealth of exclusive resources and programs. This includes mentorship programs with other LGBTQ business owners, educational programs such as expert-led webinars, scholarships, and leadership training, and growth opportunities like supplier events and corporate partner discounts.

    Once registered, you’ll be eligible to exhibit your business at the annual NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference and other regional events. Plus, you’ll automatically be included in the NGLCC’s online database of certified LGBTBEs, which their corporate partners use to find LGBTQ-owned vendors.

    2. Connect with customers

      Data collected by market research agency, The Pride Co-Op, in 2021 suggest the LGBTQ community is the fastest growing minority segment in both population and spending—wielding a collective annual spending power of over $1.4 trillion. As a certified business owner, you’re entitled to use the NGLCC Certified Business logo in your marketing, which differentiates your brand as a member of the LGBTQ community to customers who wish to support LGBTQ-friendly brands.

      3. Access corporate and government contracting opportunities and financial assistance

        The NGLCC has a network of over 200 government and private sector partners (including some of the United States’ top corporations) that proactively tap into the NGLCC’s LGBTBE database to start business relationships. Getting certified as an LGBTBE ensures that you’re eligible for these sourcing opportunities, and makes your business eligible for other grants and contracts reserved for LGBTBEs.

        4. Connect with the LGBTQ business community

          As the LGBTQ business community continues to grow, it’s important for organizations like the NGLCC to have a way of capturing that momentum in quantifiable terms. LGBTBE certification helps support continued economic progress for the LGBTQ small business community by connecting LGBTBEs and facilitating accurate reporting and growth tracking. This in turn reinforces the power and influence of this community within the broader economy, and helps pave the way for continued growth.

          What’s the process of getting certified as an LGBTQ-owned business?

          There are three different ways you should get certified as an LGBTQ-owned business. The first and most important is through the NGLCC, but the SBA’s 8(a) program and your local government(s) may also have important opportunities available for your business. 

          Getting certified through the NGLCC

          To obtain your LGBTBE certification from the NGLCC, follow these four simple steps: 

          1. Create a business profile on My.NGLCC.org and fill it out with information about you and your business.

            To waive the $899 certification fee, join your local NGLCC Affiliate Chamber.

            2. You can start submitting the required documents via MyNGLCC, or an NGLCC representative will reach out to provide assistance. This includes documents related to your identity and business, plus 1–2 documents verifying your status as LGBTQ. (click the links for a complete list). Your application will then take 60–90 days to process.

            3. While your application is being processed, an NGLCC site visitor will reach out to schedule a site visit to corroborate your application and learn more about your day-to-day operations. This is a mandatory step, and your application won’t be processed without a site visit.

            You don’t have to pay for this site visit, except in some cases when you ask to change or cancel the visit after it’s been scheduled, in which case you might incur a fee.

            4. Last, the National Certification Committee will review your application at their next monthly meeting. If approved, the NGLCC will reach out, and you’ll soon receive a certification letter and certificate in the mail. Certification lasts for three years.

            For more information about the NGLCC and their Certified LGBTBE program, visit the organization’s website at www.nglcc.org.

            For transgender business owners

            If you’re a transgender or gender non-conforming business owner, you can access specialized resources and networking opportunities via the NGLCC’s Transgender & Gender Expansive (TGX) Initiative

            Getting certified through the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

            The Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program helps disadvantaged businesses, including LGBTQ-owned businesses, receive additional support when trying to secure federal contracts, loans, mentors, or leadership training. To get a preliminary assessment of whether you’ll qualify and benefit, fill out the questionnaire on MySBA Certifications

            To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

            • This is your first time registering with the 8(a) program
            • You’ve been in business for at least two years
            • Your personal net worth is less than $850,000
            • Your adjusted gross income is less than $400,000
            • Your assets total less than $6.5 million
            • To get your MBE certification with the SBA, follow these steps:

            To get your 8(a) certification with the SBA, follow these simple steps:

            1. Register with the SBA.
            2. Identify your NAICS code(s), based on your business size.
            3. Register your business in the U.S. government’s System for Award Management (SAM).
            4. Fill out the online 8(a) application. You’ll need most of the same documents as you used for the NGLCC application.

            Getting certified through your state or city

            As of January 2025, only the New Jersey state and New York City governments have their own LGBTBE certification programs—visit your state or city government website for more information. 

            However, more state and city governments have supplier contract targets for LGBTBEs. Click here to see if your city or state has exclusive LGBTBE contracts.

            How to get certified as an LGBTQ woman-owned business​

            According to the NGLCC’s 2017 report, women were more represented among LGBTQ business owners (who were 34% women) than among all U.S. business owners (where women made up only 20%). 

            While there isn’t one certification for being LGBTQ-woman-owned, you can apply for a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification (in addition to your NGLCC certification) via these entities:

            How to get certified as an LGBTQ minority-owned business​

            As with being LGBTQ-woman-owned, there’s no single certification for LGBTQ-minority-owned businesses. However, if you are an LGBTQ member of a racial or ethnic minority, you have additional options beyond your NGLCC certification.

            First, the NGLCC supports other minority business owners through additional programs like the Communities of Color initiative (CoCi), which aims to provide additional support to LGBTQ businesses owned by people of color. If you already have your LGBTBE certification, you can join by clicking here

            Second, you can register as a minority-owned business (MBE) (in addition to your LGBTBE certification) via these entities:

            Disclaimer

            This content is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice of any type, such as financial, legal, tax, or accounting advice. This content does not necessarily state or reflect the views of Bluevine or its partners. Please consult with an expert if you need specific advice for your business. For information about Bluevine products and services, please visit the Bluevine FAQ page.

            More power to your
            business.

            From self-guided resources to expert help from real people, you can count on
            dependable support services that are always there for you.

            Disclaimer

            This content is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice of any type, such as financial, legal, tax, or accounting advice. This content does not necessarily state or reflect the views of Bluevine or its partners. Please consult with an expert if you need specific advice for your business. For information about Bluevine products and services, please visit the Bluevine FAQ page.

            Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter.

            Be the first to hear about Bluevine’s latest tips, insights, and product offerings.