NMSDC
The National Minority Supplier Development Council has 24 affiliate regional councils nationwide. In Central and North Florida, there is the Florida Minority Supplier Development Council (FMSDC) and in South Florida, there is the Florida Regional Minority Business Council (FRMBC).
WBENC
The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. WBENC partners with 14 Regional Partner Organizations to provide its world class standard of certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country.
Local and State Government
Those government agencies with Minority and/or Women-owned Business Enterprises programs usually have a certification program. In Florida, some agencies accept other government agency certifications and NMSDC certification. Most accept only their own. For instance, the City of Orlando will accept no other certification. You must call the government agency to find out those certifications they will accept. There are usually goals for M/WBE participation on construction contracts, but goals are not usually applicable to professional services, IT or procurement.
NGLCC
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce supports and advocates for diversity and inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)-owned businesses. Membership is local, but certification is national. Become a member of your local affiliate chamber to not only leverage local membership benefits, but also take advantage of having your national certification fee waived as a benefit of membership.
USPAACC
The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce is the oldest and largest organization representing Asian American and Asian American-related groups in business, sciences, the arts, sports, education, public and community services. USPAACC’s certification is recognized by national corporations, and is as thorough and complex as other well-known minority certification processes conducted by national organizations.