The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), founded in 1997, is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. WBENC, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, partners with 14 Regional Partner Organizations to provide its world class standard of certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country. WBENC is also the nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America's corporations.
Who Does WBENC Serve?
Major corporations that pay membership fees and have an active Supplier Diversity program or will have one, within 12 months of membership, are classified as Corporate Members. Corporate Members must also demonstrate a commitment to actively conduct business with WBENC-certified WBEs.
Women-owned business entities that apply for and are granted WBENC certification, and have paid all relevant fees are classified as WBENC-Certified WBEs. WBENC-Certified WBEs are not classified as members of WBENC, but are classified as Beneficiaries. The collective interests of WBENC-Certified WBEs are represented by the Women's Enterprise Leadership Forum composed of a group of WBEs appointed to the Forum by their certifying Regional Partner Organization or a Corporate Member with which they do business. .
A select group of government entities also share Member status as they meet the same criteria as Corporate Members. WBENC and its RPOs are working to increase acceptance of WBENC certification by federal, state, and local government entities throughout the country.
In compliance with a designation agreement with WBENC, 14 Regional Partner Organizations(RPOs) administer WBENC certification and recertification standards to women-owned businesses throughout the U.S.
How is WBENC Funded?
WBENC is a nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals to support its mission and programs. WBENC's primary operating funds are obtained through the receipt of Corporate Membership fees and net revenue from annual events, programs and services.
WBENC provides allocation payments to its RPOs for services rendered in administering certification and recertification to women -owned businesses. RPOs receive a designate percentage of Corporate Membership dues and net revenues from WBENC's annual events, programs, and services. NOTE: WBENC does not receive any portion of the certification or recertification fees paid to its RPOs.
