Corporate Benefits
The true value of a corporate membership stems from ongoing conversations to adapt our expertise with your needs to deliver value to your organization. We know that every organization is different and through discussions we can provide meaningful benefits to help you achieve your goals.
Some benefits include:
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Recognition as a partner to the LGBT business community through our social media, website and materials
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Resources to help you achieve a supplier base that more closely reflects your customer demographics
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Access to resources to engage LGBT employees, business owners and greater community
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Opportunities for your employees to gain professional development by sharing expertise with small business owners
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Complimentary monthly networking opportunities with LGBT business professionals
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Access to a larger pool of qualified suppliers while maintaining the level of quality you require of all your vendors
Corporate Membership Requirements
1.) Have an existing Supplier Diversity Program or establish a Supplier Diversity Program within six (6) months of joining our Chamber that clearly indicates LGBTBEs are welcomed and encouraged to apply for possible business opportunities.
2.) Annually report aggregate dollar amount of purchases from LGBTBEs.
3.) Designate a representative as a point of contact.
4.) Participate in local activities of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in Illinois.
5.) Commit to an annual support level.
LGBT-Inclusion
Top Reasons LGBT-Inclusive Supplier Diversity is a Competitive Advantage
Greater diversity among suppliers creates greater competition, resulting in greater savings and innovation across your company.
Lucrative consumer loyalty: LGBT people are more likely to purchase goods and services from brands that are known to have a record of LGBT inclusion.
LGBT-inclusion creates parity among diverse segments in your supplier diversity program.
Workplace Pride! Your workforce will see that your commitment to inclusion extends to the supply chain.
Business Case for LGBT Inclusion
Many companies, government and state agencies as well as local municipalities provide workplace benefits for LGBT employees, consciously market to LGBT customers, and provide support for LGBT non-profits; but it is a completely different level of commitment for these same organizations to not only BE LGBT-friendly, but to also BUY LGBT-friendly and be able to prove it through a LGBTBE database.
One of the primary initiatives of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois is advocating for the immediate inclusion of LGBTBEs in the supply chains of all corporations as well as local, state, and federal agencies.
The playing field is only level when corporations and government agencies, both large and small, determine not to discriminate against businesses based upon the business owner’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Increased inclusion efforts on the part of these corporations and government agencies help to bring more LGBTBEs better opportunities to bid on contracts and to become valued suppliers for their supplier diversity initiatives.
The economic impact of these new business opportunities help to build a more successful LGBT business community. As competent and capable LGBTBEs are awarded new corporate and government contracts, their growth fuels LGBTBEs to hire more staff and to contract with other LGBT and Allied businesses to provide secondary services to them.
These efforts, indirectly and directly create a more economically empowered LGBT community that benefits all.
HRC CEI
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index (CEI) is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees.
The inclusion of National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) certified LGBT-owned businesses is now a stand alone CEI criteria.
Let us help your company keep or achieve 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index.
Supplier Diversity Events
Hosted by MB Financial
Why would you want your company to be LGBTQ certified?
Panel discussion on LGBTQ business certification. Discussion covered requirements and steps for certification, testimonials from LGBT certified businesses and an update on corporate and legislative initiatives to increase opportunities for LGBTQ certified businesses.
Hosted by Charles Schwab as an Out & Equal Citywide Pride Event
What is LGBT Certification?
How companies engage LGBT-owned businesses, the unique challenges faced by LGBT businesses in engaging companies and how LGBT BRGs/ERGs can effectively engage and influence supplier diversity decisions within their organizations.
Hosted by Baker McKenzie
Squaring the Supplier Diversity Circle
Supplier Diversity panel discussing procurement challenges for LGBTBEs. Important tips on how you and your ERGs/BRGs can influence, build support and promote active inclusion of LGBTBEs within supplier diversity strategy of organizations. Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond. Windy City Times article link.
Corporate Awards
Corporate Partner of the Year
Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie has been a constant champion and supporter of the LGBT community and the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois. Baker McKenzie was recently recognized for its contributions to the United Nations Standards of Conduct for tackling LGBTQ Discrimination.
