YOUR SOURCE FOR NONPROFIT NEWS & INFO - SIGN UP NOW!

Supplier/Vendor Diversity

A supplier/vendor diversity program is the proactive, strategic procurement of goods and services from a diverse cross-section of business owners, including (but not limited to) people of color, women, people who are disabled, the LGBTQ community, and veterans. Often overlooked, this innovative group of business owners can play a vital economic role in the expansion of a nonprofit’s supply chain and the extension of community ties. Learn more about the importance of supplier diversity programs in the following articles: Making Every Dollar Count Through Inclusive Procurement and 3 Reasons Why Every Company Needs a Supplier Diversity Program

Supplier diversity is one of the key equity gaps identified in the Racial Equity in Kentucky’s Nonprofit Sector Report. This page provides several resources, including links to state and local directories that nonprofits may use to find minority-owned businesses to contact for bids, contracts, and other opportunities. We will continue to update this page with resources as we find them. If you find helpful resources, please share them with us! 

Click here to download a free recording of the Let's Talk Equity call focused on Supplier/Vendor Diversity.

POLICIES

  • Policy example: Minnesota Council on Foundations
  • Sample language for supplier diversity commitment: "Through the individuals we employ and service providers we engage, we have an impact on the local economy. In our commitment to equity and inclusion, we will work proactively to provide economic opportunities for diverse communities at all levels of our organization. We will apply an equity lens to our search for vendors, prioritizing local businesses as well as those led by individuals representing diverse constituencies when practicable."
  • A Quick Guide to Building a Supplier Diversity Policy

STATEWIDE DIRECTORIES

LOCAL DIRECTORIES

Louisville

Lexington

If your community has a directory or other resources we can share with nonprofits across Kentucky, please share it with us!